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Forest Whitaker

Biography - Forest Whitaker

Audiences first took notice of Forest Whitaker in the Cameron Crowe-penned 80s teen classic “Fast Times at Ridgemont High”. Ever since then he has consistently impressed in a wide variety of character roles that have made him one of Hollywood’s most talented thespians. His portrayal of cruel Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in this year’s “The Last King of Scotland” has earned him numerous accolades including a Golden Globe nomination and a Best Actor prize from the New York Film Critics Circle.

A native of Longview, Texas, Whitaker played football like many of his classmates, and entered college at Cal State Fullerton on a sports scholarship. Dissatisfied with athletics, he moved on to course work at USC and UC-Berkeley where he studied music and drama. He quickly found success in Hollywood, with turns in “Fast Times…”, the Civil War mini-series “North and South”, and “The Color of Money”. The latter was somewhat of a star-maker for Whitaker, as his brief pool-hall scene with Paul Newman proved to be the highlight of the movie. He then went on to bigger productions like Oliver Stone’s “Platoon”, the Richard Dreyfuss/Emilio Estevez comedy “Stakeout”, “Good Morning, Vietnam” and “Bloodsport”. His greatest success of the 80s came with Clint Eastwood’s passionate biopic “Bird” about the great saxophonist Charlie Parker. Whitaker’s performance as the titular character was stunning, and earned him a Best Actor prize at the Cannes Film Festival.

Whitaker was prolific in the 90s, appearing in over twenty films, including phenomenal work in “The Crying Game”, Robert Altman’s “Prêt-à-Porter”, and Jim Jarmusch’s unique “Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai”. He also began a move behind the camera, directing the popular 1995 Terry McMillan adaptation “Waiting to Exhale” and the 1998 Sandra Bullock romantic comedy “Hope Floats”. Recently Whitaker has starred in two popular thrillers – “Phone Booth” with Colin Farrell and Kiefer Sutherland, and “Panic Room” with Jodie Foster. This year has seen him join the cast of the popular FX crime thriller “The Shield” and star in the indie drama “American Gun”. As the New Year approaches, Whitaker seems a near-lock for a Best Actor Oscar for “The Last King of Scotland”. Maybe he’ll finally pick up that statue the Academy owes him for “Bird”.

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Diane Venora and Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker
Diane Venora and Forest Whitaker
Press Conference for "Bird" - September 26, 1988
New York City
09/23/1988
Forest Whitaker
21st Annual NAACP Image Awards
Los Angeles
12/10/1988
Forest Whitaker
6th Annual American Cinema Awards
Beverly Hills
01/06/1989
Forest Whitaker
"Hurlyburly" Los Angeles Opening
Westwood
01/15/1989
Forest Whitaker and mother Laura Whitaker Forest Whitaker and Michael Apted Forest Whitaker and Bill Duke Forest Whitaker
Forest Whitaker and mother Laura Whitaker
The 46th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals
Beverly Hills
01/28/1989
Forest Whitaker and Michael Apted
National Cable Forum
Los Angeles
07/13/1990
Forest Whitaker and Bill Duke
"A Rage in Harlem" New York City Premiere
New York City
04/29/1991
Forest Whitaker
"A Rage in Harlem" Los Angeles Premiere
Baldwin Hills
05/01/1991
Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker and guest Forest Whitaker and guest Forest Whitaker and Laurence Fishburne
Forest Whitaker
"Mississippi Masala" Premiere - February 11, 1992
Century City
02/11/1992
Forest Whitaker and guest
45th Annual Writers Guild Awards - Los Angeles - March 22, 1993
Beverly Hills
03/22/1993
Forest Whitaker and guest
45th Annual Writers Guild Awards
New York City
03/22/1993
Forest Whitaker and Laurence Fishburne
The 8th Annual IFP/West Independent Spirit Awards
Santa Monica
03/27/1993
Forest Whitaker Lynn Moody and Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker
Forest Whitaker
National Cable Forum - July 16, 1993
Universal City
07/16/1993
Lynn Moody and Forest Whitaker
Premiere of Showtime's "Last Light"
West Hollywood
08/17/1993
Forest Whitaker
Benefit Premiere of "Strapped"
New York City
08/18/1993
Forest Whitaker
The 15th Annual Cable ACE Awards
Hollywood
01/16/1994
Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker and Keisha Nash Forest Whitaker and Keisha Whitaker
Forest Whitaker
1994 Diversity Awards
Beverly Hills
09/20/1994
Forest Whitaker
2nd Annual VH-1 Honors
Los Angeles
06/22/1995
Forest Whitaker and Keisha Nash
"Waiting to Exhale" Los Angeles Screening
Beverly Hills
12/11/1995
Forest Whitaker and Keisha Whitaker
24th Annual American Film Institute Gala Honoring Clint Eastwood
Beverly Hills
02/29/1996
Forest Whitaker and Keisha Whitaker Forest Whitaker and Angela Bassett Forest Whitaker & Angela Bassett Keisha Whitaker and Forest Whitaker
Forest Whitaker and Keisha Whitaker
"A Thin Line Between Love and Hate" Los Angeles Premiere
Los Angeles
04/02/1996
Forest Whitaker and Angela Bassett
1996 Annual Women In Film Awards Luncheon
Los Angeles
06/21/1996
Forest Whitaker & Angela Bassett
The 20th Annual Crystal Awards - Women in Film
Century City
06/21/1996
Keisha Whitaker and Forest Whitaker
New York Premiere of "Phenomenon"
East Hampton
06/22/1996
Forest Whitaker Keisha Whitaker and Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker Keisha Whitaker and Forest Whitaker
Forest Whitaker
Forest Whitaker Sighting in New York Leaving Performance of Rent
New York City
06/25/1996
Keisha Whitaker and Forest Whitaker
The 39th Annual GRAMMY Awards - Sony Records After Party
New York City
02/26/1997
Forest Whitaker
The 39th Annual GRAMMY Awards
New York City
02/26/1997
Keisha Whitaker and Forest Whitaker
Hoodlum Premiere
Los Angeles
08/25/1997
Forest Whitaker and Keisha Whitaker Forest Whitaker Lynda Obst, Harry Connick Jr., Sandra Bullock, Mae Whitman and Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker
Forest Whitaker and Keisha Whitaker
American Cinematheque Moving Picture Ball Honors John Travolta
Beverly Hills
09/13/1997
Forest Whitaker
Peacemaker Premiere
Hollywood
09/23/1997
Lynda Obst, Harry Connick Jr., Sandra Bullock, Mae Whitman and Forest Whitaker
"Hope Floats" New York City Premiere
New York City
05/20/1998
Forest Whitaker
"Salute To American Heroes" To Benefit The Fresh Air Fund - June 4, 1998
New York City
06/04/1998
Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker and Keisha Whitaker RZA and Forest Whitaker Keisha Whitaker and Forest Whitaker
Forest Whitaker
9th Annual "A Time For Heroes" Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation Benefit
Brentwood
06/07/1998
Forest Whitaker and Keisha Whitaker
World Premiere of "How Stella Got Her Groove Back"
Hollywood
08/03/1998
RZA and Forest Whitaker
1999 Cannes Film Festival - Grand Opening
Cannes
05/25/1999
Keisha Whitaker and Forest Whitaker
Instinct Premiere
Beverly Hills
06/01/1999
Forest Whitaker and wife Keisha Forest Whitaker Keisha Whitaker and Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker
Forest Whitaker and wife Keisha
7th Annual Multicultural Diversity Awards
Beverly Hills
10/12/1999
Forest Whitaker
Premiere of "Light It Up"
Hollywood
11/04/1999
Keisha Whitaker and Forest Whitaker
2nd Martini Shot Mentor Awards
Universal City
12/01/1999
Forest Whitaker
The 15th Annual IFP/West Independent Spirit Awards
Santa Monica Beach
03/25/2000
Forest Whitaker and wife Keisha Whitaker Forest Whitaker & Wife Keisha Forest Whitaker Actress Laura Dern and actor Forest Whitaker attending "HFPA Presents Donations to Hollywood Organizations" on July 14, 1999 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.
Forest Whitaker and wife Keisha Whitaker
"Battlefield Earth" Hollywood Premiere
Hollywood
05/10/2000
Forest Whitaker & Wife Keisha
"Lucky Numbers" Los Angeles Premiere
Hollywood
10/24/2000
Forest Whitaker
Men of Honor Premiere
Beverly Hills
11/01/2000
Actress Laura Dern and actor Forest Whitaker attending "HFPA Presents Donations to Hollywo...
Ron Galella Archive - File Photos
Various Cities
12/12/2000
Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker and Patrick Swayze Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker and wife Keisha Whitaker
Forest Whitaker
Sundance 2001 - Hugo Boss/Franchise Pictures Party
Park City
01/19/2001
Forest Whitaker and Patrick Swayze
Sundance Film Festival 2001 - "Green Dragon" Portraits
Park City
01/20/2001
Forest Whitaker
Sundance 2001 - Awards Ceremony
Park City
01/27/2001
Forest Whitaker and wife Keisha Whitaker
Marc Anthony Pilots Jaguar's Tribute To Style - March 18, 2001
Santa Monica
03/18/2001
Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker Keisha Whitaker, Forest Whitaker and Rashida Jones (C) pose for photographers at Rashida Jones's birthday party at the GQ Lounge.
Forest Whitaker
The 16th Annual IFP/West Independent Spirit Awards
Santa Monica
03/24/2001
Forest Whitaker
Hollywood Celebrity Families turn out to Celebrate Old Navy and P.S. Arts Partnership
Santa Monica
09/30/2001
Forest Whitaker
Return To Never Land Premiere
Hollywood
02/10/2002
Keisha Whitaker, Forest Whitaker and Rashida Jones (C) pose for photographers at Rashida J...
Rashida Jones Birthday Party at the GQ Lounge
Hollywood
02/21/2002
Danny Trejo and Forest Whitaker Keisha Whitaker, Kelly Preston and Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker and wife Keisha Forest Whitaker of "The Twilight Zone"
Danny Trejo and Forest Whitaker
Youth INC celebration to benefit Los Angeles Kids 2002
Universal City
03/04/2002
Keisha Whitaker, Kelly Preston and Forest Whitaker
Keisha Whitaker Birthday Party at GQ Lounge
Hollywood
03/08/2002
Forest Whitaker and wife Keisha
"Panic Room" Premiere
Century City
03/18/2002
Forest Whitaker of "The Twilight Zone"
UPN Prime Time 2002-2003 Upfront Party
New York City
05/16/2002
Forest Whitaker Richard Raddon, IFP/West Festival Director, and Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker Colin Farrell, Forest Whitaker and Kiefer Sutherland
Forest Whitaker
Target "A Time For Heroes" To Benefit The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation
Los Angeles
06/09/2002
Richard Raddon, IFP/West Festival Director, and Forest Whitaker
IFP/West -2002 Los Angeles Film Festival Awards Luncheon
Hollywood
06/29/2002
Forest Whitaker
2002 Toronto Film Festival - "Phone Booth" Premiere
Toronto
09/10/2002
Colin Farrell, Forest Whitaker and Kiefer Sutherland
2002 Toronto Film Festival - "Phone Booth" Press Conference
Toronto
09/10/2002
Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah Forest Whitaker and actor/executive producer Morgan Freeman
Forest Whitaker
"Stars 2002" Benefit Gala for Fulfillment Fund's 25th Anniversary
Los Angeles
11/14/2002
Forest Whitaker
Live Performance by The Pussycat Dolls Hosted by Maxim Magazine - Arrivals
Hollywood
12/03/2002
Forest Whitaker at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah
Sundance Film Festival Archives by Fred Hayes
Park City
01/15/2003
Forest Whitaker and actor/executive producer Morgan Freeman
2003 Sundance Film Festival - "Levity" After-Party
Park City
01/16/2003
Forest Whitaker and Keisha Whitaker Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker and wife Keisha
Forest Whitaker and Keisha Whitaker
2003 Park City - Forest and Keisha Whitaker and Guests at the Complex Magazine Party Sponsored by Cr...
Park City
01/18/2003
Forest Whitaker
2003 Sundance Film Festival - Tribute to Independent Vision
Park City
01/21/2003
Forest Whitaker
2003 Sundance Film Festival - Forest Whitaker - Portraits
Park City
01/21/2003
Forest Whitaker and wife Keisha
2003 Park City - Express Apres-Ski Suite in Park City, Utah
Park City
01/21/2003
Forest Whitaker and Liz Phair Forest Whitaker playing on  Xbox The Sundance Dramatic Jury: David O. Russell, Geoffrey Gilmore, Sundance Film Festival Director, Forest Whitaker, Tilda Swinton, Emanuel Levy and Steve Buscemi Forest Whitaker with the Mercedes-Benz G500
Forest Whitaker and Liz Phair
2003 Park City - Levi's, HBO, Cornerstone / Fader Magazine Party Featuring Beck
Park City
01/23/2003
Forest Whitaker playing on Xbox
2003 Park City - The YAHOO! Movies Portrait Studio - Jan. 16 - 24, 2003
Park City
01/25/2003
The Sundance Dramatic Jury: David O. Russell, Geoffrey Gilmore, Sundance Film Festival Dir...
2003 Sundance Film Festival - Closing Ceremonies
Park City
01/25/2003
Forest Whitaker with the Mercedes-Benz G500
2003 Park City -Mercedes Benz in Park City
Park City
01/26/2003
Forest Whitaker File Photo: March 2001 Forest Whitaker File Photo: March 2001 Forest Whitaker, Jeff Fahey, Frances Fisher, Morgan Freeman and Clint Eastwood Forest Whitaker, Michael T. Williamson and Anthony Anderson
Forest Whitaker File Photo: March 2001
IFP/West Independent Spirit Awards Backstage Portraits By George Pimentel 1998-2002
Santa Monica
03/21/2003
Forest Whitaker File Photo: March 2001
Independent Spirit Awards File Photos By George Pimentel
Santa Monica
03/21/2003
Forest Whitaker, Jeff Fahey, Frances Fisher, Morgan Freeman and Clint Eastwood
Forest Whitaker File Photos - March 26, 1993
Los Angeles
03/26/2003
Forest Whitaker, Michael T. Williamson and Anthony Anderson
3rd Annual Hoodie Awards
Inglewood
04/05/2003
Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker and wife Keisha Whitaker Forest Whitaker and family

Forest Whitaker and his family at the Worldwide DVD Debut of Walt Disney Pictures' The Lion King
Forest Whitaker
"Cats" Gala Opening & Party to Benefit the Leeza Gibbons Memory Foundation
Hollywood
04/11/2003
Forest Whitaker and wife Keisha Whitaker
Dior Dance for Life to Benefit the Aaliyah Memorial Fund, a Program of the Entertainment Industry Fo...
Bel Air
08/03/2003
Forest Whitaker and family
Cirque du Soleil Presents Its Latest Touring Production, "Varekai" - Red Carpet and Inside Party
Los Angeles
09/12/2003
Forest Whitaker and his family at the Worldwide DVD Debut of Walt Disney Pictures' The Lio...
Worldwide DVD Debut of Walt Disney Pictures' The Lion King
Hollywood
10/03/2003
Forest Whitaker with the giraffe Forest Whitaker

Elizabeth Gabler and Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker and family
Forest Whitaker with the giraffe
"The Lion King" DVD Debut - After Party
Hollywood
10/03/2003
Forest Whitaker
"The Lion King" DVD Debut - Arrivals
Hollywood
10/03/2003
Elizabeth Gabler and Forest Whitaker
10th Annual Premiere Women In Hollywood Luncheon
Los Angeles
10/23/2003
Forest Whitaker and family
"The Cat In The Hat" World Premiere
Universal City
11/08/2003
Forest Whitaker and wife Keisha Forest Whitaker and guest Forest Whitaker Presenter Forest Whitaker congratulates Mel Gibson with a hug for his win for Favorite Motion Picture Actor
Forest Whitaker and wife Keisha
The 30th Annual People's Choice Awards - Arrivals
Pasadena
01/11/2004
Forest Whitaker and guest
The 30th Annual People's Choice Awards - Red Carpet
Pasadena
01/11/2004
Forest Whitaker
The 30th Annual People's Choice Awards - Press Room
Pasadena
01/11/2004
Presenter Forest Whitaker congratulates Mel Gibson with a hug for his win for Favorite Mot...
The 30th Annual People's Choice Awards - Show
Pasadena
01/11/2004
Cuba Gooding Jr. and Forest Whitaker Presenter Forest Whitaker for Favorite Motion Picture Actor
Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker and Keisha Whitaker
Cuba Gooding Jr. and Forest Whitaker
The 30th Annual People's Choice Awards - Backstage and Audience
Pasadena
01/11/2004
Presenter Forest Whitaker for Favorite Motion Picture Actor
The 30th Annual People's Choice Awards - Official Portrait Gallery
Pasadena
01/11/2004
Forest Whitaker
2004 Sundance Film Festival - Dramatic Competition: "Harry and Max" Premiere
Park City
01/17/2004
Forest Whitaker and Keisha Whitaker
2004 Park City - Levi's House
Park City
01/17/2004
Keisha Whitaker and Forest Whitaker Keisha Whitaker and Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker and wife Keisha Forest Whitaker and Keisha Whitaker
Keisha Whitaker and Forest Whitaker
2004 Park City - ICM and Samy Boy Entertainment present SHELTER in Park City
Park City
01/17/2004
Keisha Whitaker and Forest Whitaker
10th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards - Access Hollywood Red Carpet
Los Angeles
02/22/2004
Forest Whitaker and wife Keisha
10th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards - Arrivals
Los Angeles
02/22/2004
Forest Whitaker and Keisha Whitaker
10th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards - Red Carpet
Los Angeles
02/22/2004
Forest Whitaker with Garrett Popcorn Shops Forest Whitaker congratulates the Independent Spirit Award Nominees Hill Harper and Forest Whitaker Keisha Whitaker and Forest Whitaker
Forest Whitaker with Garrett Popcorn Shops
2004 Screen Actors Guild Awards - Backstage Creations Day Two
Los Angeles
02/22/2004
Forest Whitaker congratulates the Independent Spirit Award Nominees
2004 IFP Nominee Reception
Los Angeles
02/26/2004
Hill Harper and Forest Whitaker
The 19th Annual IFP Independent Spirit Awards - IFC-Target After Party
Santa Monica
02/28/2004
Keisha Whitaker and Forest Whitaker
The 19th Annual IFP Independent Spirit Awards - Red Carpet
Santa Monica
02/28/2004
Keisha Whitaker and Forest Whitaker 
Forest Whitaker presents Best Female Supporting Role Award Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker with Kipling
Keisha Whitaker and Forest Whitaker
The 19th Annual IFP Independent Spirit Awards - Arrivals
Santa Monica
02/28/2004
Forest Whitaker presents Best Female Supporting Role Award
The 19th Annual IFP Independent Spirit Awards - Show
Santa Monica
02/28/2004
Forest Whitaker
The 19th Annual IFP Independent Spirit Awards - Audience and Backstage
Santa Monica
02/28/2004
Forest Whitaker with Kipling
On 3 Productions Gift Lounge at the 19th Annual IFP Independent Spirit Awards
Santa Monica
02/28/2004
Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker in Backstage Creations Talent Retreat Forest Whitaker and wife Keisha Whitaker Forest Whitaker, presenter
Forest Whitaker
Turning Leaf Lounge at the 19th Annual IFP Independent Spirit Awards
Santa Monica
02/28/2004
Forest Whitaker in Backstage Creations Talent Retreat
Backstage Creations Talent Retreat at the 2004 NAACP Image Awards-Day 1
Universal City
03/05/2004
Forest Whitaker and wife Keisha Whitaker
35th NAACP Image Awards - Arrivals
Universal City
03/06/2004
Forest Whitaker, presenter
35th Annual NAACP Image Awards - Show
Universal City
03/07/2004
Sala Baker and Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker and John Davis Forest Whitaker Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law and Forest Whitaker
Sala Baker and Forest Whitaker
National Geographic Launches "All Roads Film Project"
Hollywood
03/11/2004
Forest Whitaker and John Davis
2004 ShoWest Awards Night - Pressroom
Las Vegas
03/25/2004
Forest Whitaker
2004 ShoWest Awards Night - Inside and Show
Las Vegas
03/25/2004
Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law and Forest Whitaker
2004 ShoWest Awards Night
Las Vegas
03/25/2004
Forest Whitaker and children Forest Whitaker and daughters Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker and family
Forest Whitaker and children
"Garfield: The Movie" World Premiere - Arrivals
Los Angeles
06/06/2004
Forest Whitaker and daughters
"Garfield: The Movie" World Premiere - Orange Carpet
Los Angeles
06/06/2004
Forest Whitaker
The Coach Luncheon to Benefit Peace Games at the Home of Quincy Jones
Beverly Hills
07/13/2004
Forest Whitaker and family
2004 Dream Halloween Fundraiser
Santa Monica
10/30/2004
Forest Whitaker, Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon and Orlando Jones Forest Whitaker and guest Forest Whitaker Forest Whitaker
Forest Whitaker, Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon and Orlando Jones
Amazon.com Goes Hollywood for the Holidays - Inside
Hollywood
11/09/2004
Forest Whitaker and guest
"Be Cool" Los Angeles Premiere - Arrivals
Hollywood
02/14/2005
Forest Whitaker
2005 Venice Film Festival - "Mary" Photocall
Venice
09/06/2005
Forest Whitaker
2005 Venice Film Festival - "Mary" Premiere
Venice
09/06/2005
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