The actor Forest Whitaker celebrates 63 today
Whitaker’s breakout role came in 1988 when he portrayed jazz legend Charlie Parker in Clint Eastwood’s biographical film “Bird” but his career reached new heights with his portrayal of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in the 2006 film “The Last King of Scotland” which earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor
The actor Forest Whitaker celebrates 63 today
Forest Steven Whitaker was born on July 15, 1961, in Longview, Texas, and grew up in South Central Los Angeles, California. His father, Forest E. Whitaker Jr., was an insurance salesman, and his mother, Laura Francis (née Smith), was a special education teacher who put herself through college and earned two master’s degrees. The values of education and perseverance were instilled in Whitaker from a young age.
Whitaker attended California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, on a football scholarship but later transferred to the University of Southern California (USC) to study opera and drama. His passion for acting led him to the Berkeley, California, branch of the Drama Studio London.
Whitaker’s film career began in the early 1980s with a role in the teen comedy “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” (1982). His early career was marked by roles that showcased his ability to bring depth and complexity to his characters. Films like “Platoon” (1986) and “Good Morning, Vietnam” (1987) helped establish him as a talented and versatile actor.
Whitaker’s breakout role came in 1988 when he portrayed jazz legend Charlie Parker in Clint Eastwood’s biographical film “Bird.” His performance earned him the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival and solidified his reputation as a serious and skilled actor.
Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Whitaker continued to take on a variety of challenging roles. He appeared in films such as “The Crying Game” (1992), “Smoke” (1995), and “Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai” (1999). His ability to portray a wide range of characters made him one of Hollywood’s most respected actors.
Whitaker’s career reached new heights with his portrayal of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in the 2006 film “The Last King of Scotland.” His riveting performance won him numerous accolades, including the Academy Award for Best Actor, the BAFTA Award, the Golden Globe, and the Screen Actors Guild Award.
In recent years, Whitaker has continued to take on diverse and compelling roles. He starred in notable films such as “The Butler” (2013), where he played Cecil Gaines, a character based on a real-life White House butler, and “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story” (2016), in which he portrayed the militant rebel Saw Gerrera. He also appeared in the critically acclaimed film “Black Panther” (2018) as Zuri.
Beyond acting, Whitaker has also ventured into directing and producing. He directed films such as “Waiting to Exhale” (1995) and “Hope Floats” (1998), and he has produced several television projects and documentaries.
Forest Whitaker married actress Keisha Nash in 1996, and the couple has four children: two daughters, Sonnet and True, and two children from previous relationships, Autumn and Ocean. Known for his gentle demeanor and deep voice, Whitaker is also a dedicated humanitarian.
Whitaker has been actively involved in various social causes and philanthropic efforts. He founded the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI), which aims to promote peace and reconciliation in conflict zones around the world. Through WPDI, Whitaker has worked in regions such as South Sudan, Uganda, and Mexico, focusing on empowering youth and communities through education and conflict resolution.
Watch Forrest Whitaker accepting the Oscar for Best Actor in 2007
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