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Forest Whitaker

Forest Whitaker

Known For Acting
Birthday Jul 15, 1961 (64)
Birthplace Longview, Texas, USA
Popularity 2 (history)
Updated Jul 16, 2025
Entry Date Apr 13, 2024
Links TMDb IMDb
Biography

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 Scotland (2006), Whitaker won the Academy Award for Best Actor. Whitaker made his directorial debut with the television film Strapped (1993), and directed the films Waiting to Exhale (1995), Hope Floats (1998), and First Daughter (2004). Apart from his film career, Whitaker is also known for his humanitarian work and activism. In 2011, he was inducted as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, later receiving a promotion to Special Envoy for Peace and Reconciliation, and serves as the CEO of Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative (WPDI), a non-profit outreach program. Description above from the Wikipedia article Forest Whitaker, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Known For

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Filmography

Havoc

Havoc

2025

as Lawrence Beaumont

The King of Kings

The King of Kings

2025

as Peter (voice)

Big George Foreman

Big George Foreman

2023

as Doc Broadus

Prophets of Change

Prophets of Change

2022

as Narrator

Andor: A Disney+ Day Special Look

Andor: A Disney+ Day Special Look

2022

as Saw Gerrera (archive footage) (uncredited)

Respect

Respect

2021

as C. L. Franklin

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey

2020

as Jeronicus Jangle

Burden

Burden

2020

as Reverend Kennedy

Finding Steve McQueen

Finding Steve McQueen

2019

as Howard Lambert

The Forgiven

The Forgiven

2018

as Desmond Tutu

City of Lies

City of Lies

2018

as Jack Jackson

How It Ends

How It Ends

2018

as Tom

Black Panther

Black Panther

2018

as Zuri

Sorry to Bother You

Sorry to Bother You

2018

as First Equisapien / Demarius

I Am You

I Am You

2016

as Narrator (voice)

Arrival

Arrival

2016

as Colonel Weber

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

2016

as Saw Gerrera

Southpaw

Southpaw

2015

as Titus 'Tick' Wills

Dope

Dope

2015

as The Narrator (voice)

Two Men in Town

Two Men in Town

2014

as William Garnett

Repentance

Repentance

2014

as Angel

Taken 3

Taken 3

2014

as Inspector Frank Dotzler

The Butler

The Butler

2013

as Cecil Gaines

Black Nativity

Black Nativity

2013

as Reverend Cornell Cobbs

Rising from Ashes

Rising from Ashes

2013

as Narrator

Zulu

Zulu

2013

as Ali Sokhela

Pawn

Pawn

2013

as Will

Out of the Furnace

Out of the Furnace

2013

as Chief Wesley Barnes

The Last Stand

The Last Stand

2013

as Agent John Bannister

Making a Scene

Making a Scene

2013

as Man

Freelancers

Freelancers

2012

as Dennis Larue

A Dark Truth

A Dark Truth

2012

as Francisco Francis

Serving Life

Serving Life

2011

as Narrator (voice)

Catch.44

Catch.44

2011

as Ronny

Our Family Wedding

Our Family Wedding

2010

as Brad Boyd

My Own Love Song

My Own Love Song

2010

as Joey

Repo Men

Repo Men

2010

as Jake

The Experiment

The Experiment

2010

as Barris

Lullaby for Pi

Lullaby for Pi

2010

as George

2Everything2Terrible2: Tokyo Drift

2Everything2Terrible2: Tokyo Drift

2010

as archival footage

Hurricane Season

Hurricane Season

2009

as Al Collins

Winged Creatures

Winged Creatures

2009

as Charlie Archenault

Powder Blue

Powder Blue

2009

as Charlie

Where the Wild Things Are

Where the Wild Things Are

2009

as Ira (voice)

Street Kings

Street Kings

2008

as Captain Jack Wander

Vantage Point

Vantage Point

2008

as Howard Lewis

Ripple Effect

Ripple Effect

2007

as Philip

Even Money

Even Money

2007

as Clyde Snow

The Great Debaters

The Great Debaters

2007

as Dr. James Farmer Sr.

The Air I Breathe

The Air I Breathe

2007

as Happiness

The Last King of Scotland

The Last King of Scotland

2006

as Idi Amin

The Marsh

The Marsh

2006

as Geoffrey Hunt

Everyone's Hero

Everyone's Hero

2006

as Lonnie Brewster (voice)

American Gun

American Gun

2005

as Carter

A Little Trip to Heaven

A Little Trip to Heaven

2005

as Abe Holt

Mary

Mary

2005

as Ted Younger

Jiminy Glick in Lalawood

Jiminy Glick in Lalawood

2005

as Forest Whitaker

First Daughter

First Daughter

2004

as Narrator (voice)

Deacons for Defense

Deacons for Defense

2003

as Marcus Clay

Phone Booth

Phone Booth

2003

as Captain Ramey

Panic Room

Panic Room

2002

as Burnham

Green Dragon

Green Dragon

2001

as Addie

The Fourth Angel

The Fourth Angel

2001

as Agent Jules Bernard

The Follow

The Follow

2001

as The Employer

Feast of All Saints

Feast of All Saints

2001

as Daguerreotypist Picard

Battlefield Earth

Battlefield Earth

2000

as Ker

Witness Protection

Witness Protection

1999

as Steven Beck

Light It Up

Light It Up

1999

as Officer Dante Jackson

Body Count

Body Count

1998

as Crane

Phenomenon

Phenomenon

1996

as Nate Pope

Smoke

Smoke

1995

as Cyrus Cole

Species

Species

1995

as Dan Smithson, Empath

Mr. Holland's Opus

Mr. Holland's Opus

1995

as Bobby Tidd - Adult (uncredited)

The Enemy Within

The Enemy Within

1994

as Col. MacKenzie Casey

Blown Away

Blown Away

1994

as Anthony Franklin

Jason's Lyric

Jason's Lyric

1994

as Maddog

Prêt-à-Porter

Prêt-à-Porter

1994

as Cy Bianco

Lush Life

Lush Life

1993

as Buddy Chester

Last Light

Last Light

1993

as Fred Whitmore

Bank Robber

Bank Robber

1993

as Officer Battle

Body Snatchers

Body Snatchers

1993

as Major Collins

Article 99

Article 99

1992

as Dr. Sid Handleman

The Crying Game

The Crying Game

1992

as Jody

Consenting Adults

Consenting Adults

1992

as David Duttonville

A Rage in Harlem

A Rage in Harlem

1991

as Jackson

Diary of a Hitman

Diary of a Hitman

1991

as Dekker

Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice

1990

as Jessie Williams

Downtown

Downtown

1990

as Dennis Curren

Johnny Handsome

Johnny Handsome

1989

as Dr. Steven Fisher

Bird

Bird

1988

as Charlie 'Bird' Parker

Bloodsport

Bloodsport

1988

as Rawlins

Good Morning, Vietnam

Good Morning, Vietnam

1987

as Edward Garlick

Stakeout

Stakeout

1987

as Det. Jack Pismo

Hands of a Stranger

Hands of a Stranger

1987

as Sergeant Delaney

Platoon

Platoon

1986

as Big Harold

The Color of Money

The Color of Money

1986

as Amos

Vision Quest

Vision Quest

1985

as Balldozer

Fast Times at Ridgemont High

Fast Times at Ridgemont High

1982

as Charles Jefferson

Tag: The Assassination Game

Tag: The Assassination Game

1982

as Gowdy's Bodyguard

Hope Floats

Hope Floats

1998

Executive Music Producer

A Little Off Mark

A Little Off Mark

1986

Thanks

First Daughter

First Daughter

2004

Director

Hope Floats

Hope Floats

1998

Director

Waiting to Exhale

Waiting to Exhale

1995

Director

Strapped

Strapped

1993

Director

Transplant

Transplant

2024

Producer

Fancy Dance

Fancy Dance

2024

Executive Producer

To Live and Die and Live

To Live and Die and Live

2023

Producer

For the Sake of Peace

For the Sake of Peace

2022

Producer

Passing

Passing

2021

Producer

A Kid from Coney Island

A Kid from Coney Island

2019

Executive Producer

Devil's Pie: D'Angelo

Devil's Pie: D'Angelo

2019

Producer

Sorry to Bother You

Sorry to Bother You

2018

Producer

Roxanne Roxanne

Roxanne Roxanne

2017

Producer

Dope

Dope

2015

Producer

Rising from Ashes

Rising from Ashes

2013

Executive Producer

Fruitvale Station

Fruitvale Station

2013

Producer

Serving Life

Serving Life

2011

Executive Producer

Monte Carlo

Monte Carlo

2011

Executive Producer

Kassim the Dream

Kassim the Dream

2009

Producer

Powder Blue

Powder Blue

2009

Producer

Ripple Effect

Ripple Effect

2007

Executive Producer

American Gun

American Gun

2005

Executive Producer

First Daughter

First Daughter

2004

Executive Producer

Chasing Papi

Chasing Papi

2003

Producer

Door to Door

Door to Door

2002

Co-Executive Producer

Green Dragon

Green Dragon

2001

Executive Producer

A Rage in Harlem

A Rage in Harlem

1991

Co-Producer

Organization Category Movie
Academy Awards Best Actor The Last King of Scotland Nominated
Golden Globes Best Supporting Actor The Last King of Scotland Nominated
BAFTA Awards Best Actor The Last King of Scotland Won
SAG Awards Best Supporting Actor The Last King of Scotland Won
Television Credits

Godfather of Harlem

as Ellsworth 'Bumpy' Johnson

Episodes: 33

First Aired: Sep 29, 2019

The Shield

as Jon Kavanaugh

Episodes: 13

First Aired: Mar 12, 2002

Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior

as Sam Cooper

Episodes: 13

First Aired: Feb 16, 2011

Emperor of Ocean Park

as Oliver Garland

Episodes: 10

First Aired: Jul 14, 2024

North and South

as Cuffey

Episodes: 8

First Aired: Nov 03, 1985

Star Wars: Go Rogue

as Saw Gerrera (voice)

Episodes: 4

First Aired: Aug 30, 2016

ER

as Curtis Ames

Episodes: 4

First Aired: Sep 19, 1994

Roots

as Fiddler

Episodes: 4

First Aired: May 30, 2016

Star Wars Rebels

as Saw Gerrera (voice)

Episodes: 4

First Aired: Oct 13, 2014

American Dad!

as Turlington (voice)

Episodes: 3

First Aired: Feb 06, 2005

Star Wars: Andor

as Saw Gerrera

Episodes: 2

First Aired: Sep 21, 2022

Criminal Minds

as Sam Cooper

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 22, 2005

Extrapolations

as Auggie Bolo

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Mar 16, 2023

Amazing Stories

as Jerry

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 29, 1985

The Hire

as The Employer

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Apr 26, 2001

Empire

as Eddie Barker

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 07, 2015

My Generation

as Narrator

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 05, 2024

The Twilight Zone

as Self - Host

Episodes: 43

First Aired: Sep 18, 2002

Clint Eastwood: A Cinematic Legacy

as Self

Episodes: 9

First Aired: Sep 09, 2021

Inside the Actors Studio

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Aug 14, 1994

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 08, 2003

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 26, 2003

Today

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 14, 1952

LIVE with Kelly and Mark

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Sep 05, 1988

Diff'rent Strokes

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Nov 03, 1978

The View

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Aug 11, 1997

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

Episodes: 1

First Aired: May 25, 1992

Hill Street Blues

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 15, 1981

American Idol

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jun 11, 2002

The Early Show

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Nov 01, 1999

Cagney & Lacey

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Mar 25, 1982

Where Are They Now?

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jun 07, 1999

Saturday Night Live

as Self - Host

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Oct 11, 1975

E! Live from the Red Carpet

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 13, 2002

The Daily Show

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jul 22, 1996

The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Jan 03, 2005

Close Up with The Hollywood Reporter

as Self

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Aug 02, 2015

Cannes Festival

as Self - Guest

Episodes: 1

First Aired: May 17, 2022

The Oscars

as Self - Presenter

Episodes: 1

First Aired: Mar 19, 1953

Popularity Metrics

Popularity History


Year Month Avg Max Min
2024 5 23 30 20
2024 6 30 47 14
2024 7 37 52 22
2024 8 26 45 15
2024 9 22 57 14
2024 10 18 39 10
2024 11 21 31 11
2024 12 24 64 13
2025 1 29 47 15
2025 2 15 30 2
2025 3 5 29 0
2025 4 2 4 1
2025 5 6 7 4
2025 6 5 6 3
2025 7 3 5 2
2025 8 3 9 1
2025 9 2 2 1
2025 10 2 3 2

Trending Rank


Year Month Avg Rank Max Rank
2024 5 797 526
2024 6 425 39
2024 7 657 562
2025 1 332 109
2025 2 414 124
2025 5 218 20
2025 7 398 46
2025 8 614 614
2025 10 566 488

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