Forest Whitaker

About

Forest Steven Whitaker (born July 15, 1961) is an American actor, producer, director, and activist. He is the recipient of various accolades, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a British Academy Film Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. After making his film debut in Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982), Whitaker went on to earn a reputation for intensive character study work for films, such as Platoon (1986), Good Morning, Vietnam (1987), Bird (1988), The Crying Game (1992), Phenomenon (1996), Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (1999), The Great Debaters (2007), The Butler (2013), Arrival (2016), and Respect (2021). He has also appeared in blockbusters, such as Panic Room (2002), Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) as Saw Gerrera, and Black Panther (2018) as Zuri. For his portrayal of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in the British historical drama film The Last King of...

Known for

Criminal MindsSeries • 2005American Dad!Series • 2005ERSeries • 1994The ShieldSeries • 2002Hill Street BluesSeries • 1981EmpireSeries • 2015Star Wars RebelsSeries • 2014AndorSeries • 2022Black PantherMovie • 2018Cagney & LaceySeries • 1982Godfather of HarlemSeries • 2019ArrivalMovie • 2016Amazing StoriesSeries • 1985North and SouthSeries • 1985ExtrapolationsSeries • 2023Taken 3Movie • 2014Rogue One: A Star Wars StoryMovie • 2016PlatoonMovie • 1986SouthpawMovie • 2015Street KingsMovie • 2008Criminal Minds: Suspect BehaviorSeries • 2011HavocMovie • 2025The ButlerMovie • 2013BloodsportMovie • 1988