Forest Whitaker

Forest Whitaker Headshot

Actor

Birth Date: July 15, 1961

Age: 62 years old

Birth Place: Longview, Texas

Though actor Forest Whitaker started college on an athletic scholarship, the charismatic and award-winning performer made the unlikely shift from football to studying to become a classical tenor and eventually, an actor. After gaining some attention in several stage musicals, Whitaker made an immediate impression with a small, but memorable role in his feature debut, "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" (1982). Following a quick succession of supporting roles in features and on television, he earned his first wave of critical accolades for his portrayal of drug-addicted jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker in "Bird" (1988). Once he was established as a viable leading man, Whitaker easily oscillated between low-budget and studio projects, earning equal acclaim for his performances. Taking his career to the next level, he made several forays into feature directing - most notably "Waiting to Exhale" (1995) - but continued to churn out one sterling performance after another until finally reaching new heights with his Oscar-winning portrayal of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in "The Last King of Scotland" (2006), which came hot on the heels of another mesmerizing performance as an obsessive internal affairs officer on season five of "The Shield" (FX, 2002-08). Both roles only confirmed that Whitaker was one of Hollywood's most versatile, surprising and talented actors of his day. His work as a producer on films like "Fruitvale Station" (2013) and "Dope" (2015) helped shepherd a new generation of African-American filmmakers while his work in hits like "The Butler" (2013), "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" (2016) and "Black Panther" (2018) kept him firmly in audiences' minds.

Credits

ExtrapolationsStream

Actor
Augustin
Series
2023
44%

MGM+: Godfather of Harlem - S3

Actor
Ellsworth 'Bumpy' Johnson
Show
2023

Big George Foreman: The Miraculous Story of the Once and Future Heavyweight Champion of the World

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Doc Broadus
Movie
2023

Prophets of Change

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2023

Fancy Dance

Executive Producer
Movie
2023

AndorStream

Actor
Saw Gerrera
Series
2022
96%

DMX: Don't Try to UnderstandStream

Self
Movie
2021

Young RockStream

Guest Star
Forest Whitaker
Series
2021

RespectStream

Actor
Rev. C.L. Franklin
Movie
2021
68%

PassingStream

Producer
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2021
90%

By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem

Executive Producer
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2020

Global Goal: Unite for Our Future -- The Concert

Actor
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2020

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas JourneyStream

Actor
Jeronicus
Movie
2020
90%

Godfather of HarlemStream

Actor
Bumpy Johnson
Series
2019

Godfather of HarlemStream

Executive Producer
Series
2019

EPIX FREE: By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem HD

Actor
Bumpy Johnson
Show
2019

EPIX FREE: By Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem HD

Executive Producer
Show
2019

The Kelly Clarkson ShowStream

Guest
Talk
2019

GMA3: Strahan, Sara & Keke

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Show
2019

Godfather of Harlem: Extras

Actor
Show
2019

We Have a Dream

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2019

Today 3rd Hour

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2018

We Have a Dream

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Show
2018

Couch Surfing

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Show
2018

Black PantherStream

Actor
Zuri
Movie
2018
96%

Sorry to Bother YouStream

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First Equisapien/Demarius
Movie
2018
93%

Sorry to Bother YouStream

Producer
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2018
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Triumph: The Untold Story of Perry Wallace

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2018

City of LiesStream

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Jack Jackson
Movie
2018
51%

How It Ends

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Tom
Movie
2018

Finding Steve McQueenStream

Actor
Howard Lambert
Movie
2018
46%

Burden

Actor
Reverend Kennedy
Movie
2018

STEVE on Watch

Guest
Talk
2017

Live with Kelly and Ryan

Guest
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2017

We Are One

Executive Producer
Movie
2017

We Are One

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2017

The ForgivenStream

Actor
Desmond Tutu
Movie
2017
52%

Roxanne Roxanne

Producer
Movie
2017

Roots

Actor
Fiddler
Show
2016

Rogue One: A Star Wars StoryStream

Actor
Saw Gerrera
Movie
2016
84%

ArrivalStream

Actor
Colonel Weber
Movie
2016
94%

Crips and Bloods: Made in America

Actor
Show
2015

The Late Late Show With James CordenStream

Guest
Talk
2015

EmpireStream

Guest Star
Eddie Barker
Series
2015
84%

SouthpawStream

Actor
Tick Willis
Movie
2015
60%

Dope

Narrator
Movie
2015

Dope

Producer
Movie
2015

Songs My Brothers Taught Me

Producer
Movie
2015

Lijevi Gard

Actor
Movie
2015

Happy Holidays America

Guest
Show
2014

Star Wars RebelsStream

Voice
Saw Gerrera
Series
2014
98%

Les classiques du cinéma

Actor
Show
2014

The 19th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards

Guest
Show
2014

Two Men in Town

Actor
William Garnett
Movie
2014

Taken 3Stream

Actor
Inspector Frank Dotzler
Movie
2014
13%

Food Chains

Narrator
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2014

Happy Holidays America 2013

Guest
Show
2013

The Queen Latifah Show

Guest
Talk
2013

Lee Daniels' The Butler: A Time of Change

Guest Star
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2013

The Last Stand: Extras

Actor
Show
2013

Africa

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2013

Zulu

Actor
Ali
Movie
2013

Mysteries of the Unseen World

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2013

RepentanceStream

Actor
Angel
Movie
2013
33%

RepentanceStream

Producer
Movie
2013
33%

Sewing Hope

Narrator
Movie
2013

The Last StandStream

Actor
Agent John Bannister
Movie
2013
61%

Fruitvale StationStream

Producer
Movie
2013
94%

Pawn

Actor
Will
Movie
2013

Out of the FurnaceStream

Actor
Wesley Barnes
Movie
2013
53%

Lee Daniels' The ButlerStream

Actor
Cecil Gaines
Movie
2013
72%

Black NativityStream

Actor
Rev. Cornell Cobbs
Movie
2013
51%

National Salute to Veterans

Guest
Show
2012

Live! With Kelly and Michael

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Talk
2012

Larry King NowStream

Guest
Talk
2012

CBS This Morning

Guest
Show
2012

Ernest & Celestine

Voice
Ernest
Movie
2012

FreelancersStream

Actor
LaRue
Movie
2012

A Dark Truth

Actor
Francisco Francis
Movie
2012

Rising From Ashes

Executive Producer
Movie
2012

Rising From Ashes

Narrator
Movie
2012

Dish Nation

Guest
Talk
2011

National Memorial Day Concert (2011)

Guest
Show
2011

Criminal Minds: Suspect BehaviorStream

Actor
Special Agent Sam Cooper
Series
2011
42%

Monte Carlo

Executive Producer
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2011

Catch .44

Actor
Ronny
Movie
2011

Our Family WeddingStream

Actor
Bradford Boyd
Movie
2010
15%

Repo Men

Actor
Jake
Movie
2010

Higglety Pigglety Pop! or There Must Be More to Life

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Lion
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2010

The Experiment

Actor
Barris
Movie
2010

My Own Love Song

Actor
Joey
Movie
2010

Lullaby for Pi

Actor
George
Movie
2010

Lopez Tonight

Guest
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2009

ES.TV

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2009

Late Night With Jimmy Fallon

Guest
Talk
2009

Where the Wild Things AreStream

Voice
Ira
Movie
2009
73%

Hurricane Season

Actor
Al Collins
Movie
2009

Powder Blue

Actor
Charlie
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2009

Powder Blue

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2009

Toys in the Attic

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Teddy
Movie
2009

David Sheehan's Holiday Movie Magic

Guest
Show
2008

Stand Up to Cancer

Guest
Show
2008

The Wendy Williams Show

Guest
Talk
2008

Vantage PointStream

Actor
Howard Lewis
Movie
2008
34%

Street Kings

Actor
Capt. Jack Wander
Movie
2008

Crips and Bloods: Made in America

Narrator
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2008

Winged Creatures

Actor
Charlie Archenault
Movie
2008

Dragon Hunters

Voice
Lian-Chu
Movie
2008

Hollywood Shootout

Guest
Show
2007

Today With Kathie Lee & Hoda

Guest
Show
2007

The Air I Breathe

Actor
Happiness
Movie
2007

The Great DebatersStream

Actor
Dr. James Farmer Sr.
Movie
2007
80%

Ripple Effect

Actor
Philip
Movie
2007

Ripple Effect

Executive Producer
Movie
2007

Rachael Ray ShowStream

Guest
Talk
2006

Everyone's Hero

Voice
Lonnie Brewster
Movie
2006

The Last King of ScotlandStream

Actor
Idi Amin
Movie
2006
87%

Even MoneyStream

Actor
Clyde Snow
Movie
2006
24%

The Marsh

Actor
Geoffrey Hunt
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2006

Made in Hollywood

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Series
2005

Criminal Minds: EvolutionStream

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Series
2005

Entertainment Tonight Canada

Guest
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2005

American DadStream

Guest Voice
Daniel Turlington
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2005

The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson

Guest
Talk
2005

American Gun

Actor
Carter
Movie
2005

American Gun

Executive Producer
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2005

A Little Trip to Heaven

Actor
Holt
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2005

Mary

Actor
Ted Younger
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2005

Odyssey in Rome

Actor
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2005

Article 99

Actor
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2004

Tavis Smiley

Guest
Talk
2004

First Daughter

Director
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2004

First Daughter

Executive Producer
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2004

Jiminy Glick in Lalawood

Self
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2004

Football America

Actor
Show
2003

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Guest
Talk
2003

Jimmy Kimmel Live!Stream

Guest
Talk
2003

American Idol

Guest
Reality
2003
68%

Deacons for Defense

Actor
Marcus Clay
Movie
2003

Chasing Papi

Producer
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2003

The Twilight ZoneStream

Host
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2002

The ShieldStream

Actor
Lt. Jon Kavanaugh
Series
2002
90%

Phone BoothStream

Actor
Captain Ramey
Movie
2002
72%

Panic RoomStream

Actor
Burnham
Movie
2002
76%

The Feast of All Saints

Actor
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2001

The Feast of All Saints

Executive Producer
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2001

Live With Regis and Kelly

Guest
Show
2001

Green Dragon

Actor
Addie
Movie
2001

Green Dragon

Executive Producer
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2001

The Fourth Angel

Actor
Agent Jules Bernard
Movie
2001

Entertainment Studios.com

Guest
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2000

Battlefield Earth

Actor
Ker
Movie
2000

Four Dogs Playing Poker

Actor
Mr. Ellington
Movie
2000

The Early Show

Guest
Show
1999

The Daily Show With Jon StewartStream

Guest
Talk
1999

Witness ProtectionStream

Actor
Steven Beck
Movie
1999
60%

Light It UpStream

Actor
Officer Dante Jackson
Movie
1999
39%

Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai

Actor
Ghost Dog
Movie
1999

Kickin' It: With Byron Allen

Guest
Show
1998

The Split

Actor
Crane
Movie
1998

Oscuro Amanecer

Actor
Movie
1998

Body Count

Actor
Crane
Movie
1998

Hope FloatsStream

Director
Movie
1998
27%

The View

Guest
Talk
1997

PhenomenonStream

Actor
Nate Pope
Movie
1996
49%

Rebound -- The Legend of Earl The Goat Manigault

Actor
Mr. Rucker
Movie
1996

Smoke

Actor
Cyrus Cole
Movie
1995

SpeciesStream

Actor
Dan Smithson, Empath
Movie
1995
42%

Waiting to ExhaleStream

Director
Movie
1995
61%

ERStream

Guest Star
Curtis Ames
Series
1994

Entertainers: With Byron Allen

Guest
Show
1994

Inside the Actors Studio

Guest
Talk
1994

El Enemigo Oculto

Actor
Movie
1994

Lush Life

Actor
Buddy Chester
Movie
1994

The Enemy Within

Actor
Col. MacKenzie "Mac" Casey
Movie
1994

Blown AwayStream

Actor
Anthony Franklin
Movie
1994
39%

Jason's LyricStream

Actor
Maddog
Movie
1994
58%

Ready to WearStream

Actor
Cy Bianco
Movie
1994
24%

Canción de Amor

Actor
Movie
1994

Late Show With David Letterman

Guest
Talk
1993

Strapped

Director
Movie
1993

Body SnatchersStream

Actor
Major Collins
Movie
1993
70%

Last Light

Actor
Fred Whitmore
Movie
1993

Bank Robber

Actor
Officer Battle
Movie
1993

Le Couloir de la mort

Actor
Movie
1993

Article 99

Actor
Dr. Sid Handleman
Movie
1992

Diary of a Hitman

Actor
Dekker
Movie
1992

The Crying GameStream

Actor
Jody
Movie
1992
94%

Consenting Adults

Actor
David Duttonville
Movie
1992

Expediente de un Asesino

Actor
Movie
1992

Le Cri des larmes

Actor
Movie
1992

A Rage in Harlem

Actor
Jackson
Movie
1991

Criminal Justice

Actor
Jessie Williams
Movie
1990

Innocent coupable

Actor
Movie
1990

DowntownStream

Actor
Dennis Curren
Movie
1990

Johnny Handsome

Actor
Dr. Steven Fisher
Movie
1989

BloodsportStream

Actor
Rawlins
Movie
1988
46%

BirdStream

Actor
Charlie 'Bird' Parker
Movie
1988
80%

Stakeout

Actor
Jack Pismo
Movie
1987

Good Morning, VietnamStream

Actor
Edward Garlick
Movie
1987
89%

Étroite surveillance

Actor
Movie
1987

Asecho

Actor
Movie
1987

Bonjour Viêt-nam

Actor
Movie
1987

The Oprah Winfrey ShowStream

Guest
Talk
1986

North and South, Book II

Actor
Cuffey
Show
1986

North and South, Book II

Guest Star
Cuffey
Show
1986

The Color of MoneyStream

Actor
Amos
Movie
1986
88%

PlatoonStream

Actor
Big Harold
Movie
1986
89%

North and SouthStream

Guest Star
Cuffey
Miniseries
1985

Amazing StoriesStream

Actor
Series
1985

Vision Quest

Actor
Bulldozer
Movie
1985

Fast Times at Ridgemont HighStream

Actor
Charles Jefferson
Movie
1982
78%

The Fall GuyStream

Guest Star
Series
1981

Hill Street BluesStream

Guest Star
Floyd Green
Series
1981
97%

Trapper John, M.D.

Guest Star
Series
1979

Diff'rent Strokes

Guest Star
Series
1978

Good Morning America

Guest
News
1975

Saturday Night LiveStream

Host
Series
1975

Today

Guest
News
1952

News aboutForest Whitaker

Extrapolations trailer shots

Apple Releases Star Studded Trailer for Climate Change Drama ‘Extrapolations’ (VIDEO)

Forest Whitaker in 'Godfather of Harlem' Season 3
Exclusive

‘Godfather of Harlem’ Season 3 Trailer: Forest Whitaker Rules, Whoopi Goldberg Returns (VIDEO)

Diego Luna in 'Andor' for Disney+

‘Andor’ to Air Across ABC, FX, Freeform & Hulu for Thanksgiving

Diego Luna as Cassian Andor in Star Wars

‘Andor’ Trailer: First Look at Disney+’s Upcoming ‘Star Wars’ Series (VIDEO)

Cagney & Lacey - Sharon Gless and Tyne Daly

11 TV Stars Who Appeared on ‘Cagney & Lacey,’ Now 40 Years Old

Black History Month 2022 TV Round-Up, Cicely Tyson as Vivian in 'Bustin' Loose,' Jay Pharoah in 'Phat Tuesdays,' Sonequa Martin-Green as Burnham in 'Star Trek: Discovery'

Black History Month 2022: Your Complete TV & Streaming Guide

Preview

‘Godfather of Harlem’: Vincent D’Onofrio on the Future of Chin & Bumpy’s Alliance (VIDEO)

Godfather of Harlem
Review

Roush Review: The Colorful, Evocative ‘Godfather of Harlem’ Promises Tragedy for All

Godfather of Harlem - Forest Whitaker
Preview

‘Godfather of Harlem’ Cast Talks Race, Historical Accuracy & Politics

Godfather of Harlem Season 1 Episode 101: By Whatever Means Necessary
Fall Preview

Forest Whitaker Teases His ‘Ruthless but Sensitive’ Mobster on ‘Godfather of Harlem’

Godfather of Harlem Season 1 Episode 101: By Whatever Means Necessary
Exclusive

‘Godfather of Harlem’s Cast Teases a ‘Collision of Crime & Civil Rights’ in EPIX Series (VIDEO)

Godfather of Harlem

‘Godfather of Harlem’ Trailer: Crime Boss Bumpy Johnson Seeks to Regain Control (VIDEO)

TCA19_Godfather

See EPIX’s ‘Godfather of Harlem’ Cast in Our TCA Studio (PHOTOS)

godfather-of-harlem

Forest Whitaker Is the ‘Godfather of Harlem’ in First Teaser for the New EPIX Drama (VIDEO)

Forest Whitaker attends the premiere of 'Black Panther'

EPIX Orders Forest Whitaker Series ‘Godfather of Harlem’

Empire-cast
Spoiler Alert

5 OMG Moments From ‘Empire’ Season 4 Episode 2

Empire

Forest Whitaker ‘Stuns’ in ‘Empire’ Guest Role According to Lee Daniels

Roots-01

Roush Review: Honoring TV’s ‘Roots’ in a Remake