Forest Whitaker Life Story

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Forest Steven Whitaker (born July 15, 1961 in Longview, Texas) is an American actor, producer and director.

Whitaker has performed in over 47 movies, produced over 8 films, and directed 5 movies. On screen since 1979, Forest is a “large, baby-faced black actor who has eluded stardom despite a number of varied leading roles.”

Whitaker debuted on screen in 1982′s Fast Times at Ridgemont High alongside the likes of Judge Reinhold and Phoebe Cates. He followed with notable roles in Platoon, Good Morning, Vietnam, and The Color of Money. In 1988, Forest played the role of musician Charlie Parker in the Clint Eastwood directed film, Bird, for which he won Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival.

In 2002, he was the host and narrator of The Twilight Zone, which lasted one season. In 2006, Whitaker joined the cast of FX’s cop serial The Shield, as Lieutenant John Kavanaugh. Whitaker’s performance as the tormented internal affairs cop helped continue the show’s popularity among viewers.

In 1996, Forest married fellow actress Keisha Whitaker from which they have two daughters named Sonnet and True. He has a son named Ocean from a previous relationship and a stepdaughter named Autumn previous relationship of Keisha’s, named Ocean.

From 2002 to 2003, Whitaker was the host and narrator of 44 new episodes of the Rod Serling classic, The Twilight Zone, which lasted one season on UPN. After working in several film roles, he returned to television in 2006 when he joined the cast of FX’s police serial The Shield, as Lieutenant Jon Kavanaugh, who was determined to prove that the lead character, Vic Mackey, is a dirty cop. He received rave reviews for his performance Variety called it a “crackling-good guest stint” and he reprised the role in the show’s 2007 season.

In the fall of 2006, Whitaker started a multi-episode story arc on ER as Curtis Ames, a man who comes into the ER with a cough, but quickly faces the long-term consequences of a paralyzing stroke; he then takes out his anger on Doctors Luka Kovač and Abby Lockhart. Whitaker received a 2007 Emmy Award nomination for his performance on the series. Also in 2006, Whitaker appeared in T.I.’s music video “Live in the Sky” alongside Jamie Foxx.

In addition to the numerous awards Whitaker won for his performance in The Last King of Scotland, he has also received several other honors. In September 2006, the 10th Annual Hollywood Film Festival presented him with its “Hollywood Actor of the Year Award,” calling him “one of Hollywood’s most accomplished actors.” He was honored at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2007, where he received the American Riviera Award. He received an Honorary Degree from Xavier University of Louisiana in 2009 at the 82nd Commencement Ceremony.