Birth Date
July 15, 1961
Age
59 years old
Nationality
United States
Sun Sign
Cancer
Natural hair color
Black
Eye color
Dark Brown
Height
6 ft 2 in | 188 cm
Net Worth
$30 Million
Weight
92 kg | 203 pounds
Chest
46 in | 117 cm
Shoe size
11 US | 44 EU
Waist
40 in | 102 cm
Early acting career First movie Breakthrough
Forest Steven Whitaker III was born in Longview, Texas, United States, on July 15, 1961, is an American actor and director.
Young Forest Whitaker first started his career as a singer, he toured England with the Cal Poly Chamber Singers in 1980.
He made his acting debut in Dylan Thomas' play "Under Milk Wood".
He made his big screen debut in action thriller movie Tag: The Assassination Game (1982) in roleas Gowdy's Bodyguard, at the age of 21.
He got his television debut in CBS sitcom Making the Grade (1982) in episode "Marriage David Style".
Forest's breakthrough performance came as Edward Garlick in comedy drama war film Good Morning Vietnam (1987) opposite Robin Williams.
He landed his Broadway debut in a play "Hughie" (2016) in role as Erie Smith, at the Booth Theatre.
He made his theatrical feature film directorial debut with comedy romance Waiting to Exhale (1995).
New Movies
Respect (2021) drama in role as C. L. Franklin, opposite Jennifer Hudson and Audra McDonald
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020) musical in role as Jeronicus Jangle, with Keegan-Michael Key and Anika Noni Rose
Best Movies
He won the Academy Award, a BAFTA Award and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his role as Idi Amin in historical drama film The Last King of Scotland (2006).
He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his role as Charlie "Bird" Parker in biographical film Bird (1988) directed by Clint Eastwood.
Platoon (1986) drama action opposite Charlie Sheen, Willem Dafoe and Johnny Depp
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) epic space opera in role as Saw Gerrera
Johnny Handsome (1989) crime drama with Mickey Rourke and Morgan Freeman
Arrival (2016) science fiction drama with Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner
Phenomenon (1996) romantic fantasy drama with John Travolta
Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999) crime action directed by Jim Jarmusch
Bloodsport (1988) martial arts with Jean-Claude Van Damme
Panic Room (2002) thriller with Jodie Foster, Kristen Stewart and Jared Leto
The Great Debaters (2007) biographical drama opposite Denzel Washington
Street Kings (2008) crime thriller with Keanu Reeves and Chris Evans
Repo Men (2010) science fiction action thriller with Jude Law
The Butler (2013) historical drama with Oprah Winfrey, Jane Fonda and Robin Williams
Taken 3 (2014) action thriller with Liam Neeson and Maggie Grace
Southpaw (2015) sports drama opposite Jake Gyllenhaal and Rachel McAdams
City of Lies (2018) drama thriller with Johnny Depp
Sorry to Bother You (2018) science-fiction dark comedy opposite Tessa Thompson
Black Panther (2018) superhero in role as Zuri
Finding Steve McQueen (2019) heist thriller in role as Howard Lambert
TV Shows
He was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Curtis Ames in NBC medical drama television series ER (2006-2007).
He was nominated for the Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Lieutenant Jon Kavanaugh in FX crime drama television The Shield (2006-2007).
The Twilight Zone (2002–2003) anthology television series in role as narrator and on-screen host
Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior (2011) CBS police procedural drama series in role as Sam Cooper
Roots (2016) miniseries in role as Henry (Fiddler)
He voiced Saw Gerrera in animated television series Star Wars Rebels (2017).
Empire (2017) Fox musical drama television series in role as Eddie Barker
Godfather of Harlem (2019) crime drama television series in role as Bumpy Johnson
Facts
Graduated from Palisades Charter High School in 1979.
Graduated from USC with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Acting in 1982.
Studied acting at Drama Studio London.
Has two younger brothers, Kenn and Damon and an older sister, Deborah.
He studies yoga and has a black belt in kenpō.
He suffers from a hereditary condition known as Ptosis, also known as lazy eye.
He received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard, in 2007.
He was inducted into the Texas Film Hall of Fame in 2004.
He is a vegetarian.
Featured in music video for T.I. "Live in the Sky" (2006).
Received honorary degree of Doctor of Fine Arts from University of Southern California in 2018.
Lives in Los Angeles, California.
Relationships
He married actress Keisha Nash in 1996, they have four children.