He made hisBroadway debut in the revival ofEugene O'Neill'sHughie (2016). Apart from his acting career, Whitaker is also known for his humanitarian work and activism. In 2011, he was inducted as aUNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, later receiving a promotion to Special Envoy for Peace and Reconciliation, and is the CEO of Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative (WPDI), a non-profit outreach program.[5]
Forest Steven Whitaker was born on July 15, 1961, inLongview, Texas,[6] the son of Laura Francis (née Smith), aspecial education teacher, and Forest E. Whitaker Jr., an insurance salesman.[7][8][9] When Whitaker was in elementary school, his family moved toCarson, California.[10] He has two younger brothers and an older sister. His first role as an actor was the lead inDylan Thomas's playUnder Milk Wood.[10]
After completing several films in the early 1980s, Whitaker gained additional roles in multiple television shows. On the seriesDiff'rent Strokes, he played a bully in the 1985 episode "Bully for Arnold".[15] That same year, Whitaker also played the part of a comic book salesman in theAmazing Stories episode "Gather Ye Acorns".[16] He appeared in the first and second parts ofNorth and South in 1985 and 1986. Throughout the 1990s, Whitaker mainly had roles in made-for-cable films which aired onHBO, includingCriminal Justice,The Enemy Within, andWitness Protection.
In 1988, Whitaker appeared in the filmBloodsport and had his first lead role starring asjazzalto saxophonistCharlie "Bird" Parker inClint Eastwood'sBird. To prepare himself for the part, Whitaker took saxophone lessons and sequestered himself in a loft with only a bed, couch, and an alto saxophone,[2] having also conducted extensive research and talked to numerous people who knew Parker.[17] His performance, which has been called "transcendent",[4] earned him theBest Actor award at the1988 Cannes Film Festival[18] and aGolden Globe nomination.
Whitaker played a serene, pigeon-raising,bushido-following,mob hit man inGhost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, a 1999 film written and directed byJim Jarmusch. Many consider this to have been a "definitive role" for Whitaker.[4] In a manner similar to his preparation forBird, he again immersed himself in his character's world—he studied Eastern philosophy and meditated for long hours "to hone his inner spiritual hitman".[2] Jarmusch has told interviewers that he developed the title character with Whitaker in mind;The New York Times review of the film observed that "[I]t's hard to think of another actor who could play a cold-blooded killer with such warmth and humanity."[23] From 2002 to 2003, Whitaker was the host and narrator of 44 new episodes of theRod Serling classicThe Twilight Zone, which lasted one season onUPN.[24] After working in several film roles, he returned to television in 2006 when he joined the cast ofFX's police serialThe Shield, as LieutenantJon Kavanaugh, who was determined to prove that the lead character,Vic Mackey (Michael Chiklis), is a dirty cop. As opposed to his previous character work, Whitaker stated that he merely had to draw on his childhood years growing up inSouth Central Los Angeles for the role.[4] He received rave reviews for his performance—Variety called it a "crackling-good guest stint"[25]—and he reprised the role in the show's 2007 season.
Whitaker next appeared in what has been called one of theworst films ever made,[26] the 2000 production ofBattlefield Earth, based on the novel of the same name byL. Ron Hubbard. The film was widely criticized as a notorious commercial and critical disaster.[26][27] However, Whitaker's performance was lauded by the film's director,Roger Christian, who commented that, "Everybody's going to be very surprised" by Whitaker, who "found this huge voice and laugh."[28]Battlefield Earth won sevenRazzie Awards.[29] Whitaker later expressed his regret for participating in the film.[30]
In 2001, Whitaker played FBI agent Jules Bernard in the British/Canadian film The Fourth Angel. In that same year Whitaker had a small, uncredited role in theWong Kar-wai-directedThe Follow, one of five short films produced byBMW that year to promote its cars.[31] Heco-starred inJoel Schumacher's 2002thrillerPhone Booth withKiefer Sutherland andColin Farrell. That year, he also co-starred withJodie Foster inPanic Room. His performance as the film's "bad guy" was described as "a subtle chemistry of aggression and empathy".[10] In the fall of 2006, Whitaker started a multi-episode story arc onER as Curtis Ames, a man who comes into the ER with a cough, but quickly faces the long-term consequences of a paralyzingstroke; he sues, then takes out his anger onDr. Luka Kovač, who he blames for the strokes. Whitaker received aPrimetime Emmy Award nomination for his performance in the series.[32] Also in 2006, Whitaker appeared inT.I.'s music video "Live in the Sky" alongsideJamie Foxx.[33]
Whitaker signing playbills after making hisBroadway debut inHughie (2016)
In 2007, Whitaker played Dr. James Farmer Sr. inThe Great Debaters, for which he received anImage Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor.[40] In 2008, Whitaker appeared in three films, first as a business man known only as Happiness, who likes butterflies, in the filmThe Air I Breathe. He also portrayed a rogue police captain inStreet Kings, and a heroic tourist inVantage Point. Whitaker was cast in theCriminal Minds spin-offCriminal Minds: Suspect Behavior, that was subsequently cancelled by CBS on May 17, 2011.[41] Under Frank Cooper, he was the creator and producer ofDEWmocracy.com, an interactive video game, short film, and website that allowed people to select a new flavor ofMountain Dew. This campaign turned into the most successful launch of a soft drink in Mountain Dew's history.[42] Whitaker appears in theJamie Foxx featuringT-Pain 2008 music video "Blame It".[43]
Whitaker's voice and likeness were used forSaw Gerrera in the 2019 video gameStar Wars: Jedi Fallen Order as well as in theDisney+ seriesAndor which aired in 2022 (Season 1) and 2025 (Season 2). Since 2019, Whitaker has been starring as Bumpy Johnson inGodfather of Harlem, a series on EPIX which explores the intersection between the criminal underworld and civil rights movement in the 1960s.[50] In 2020, Whitaker starred as Jeronicus Jangle in the Netflix Christmas musicalJingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey.[51] He appeared as ReverendC. L. Franklin, the father ofAretha Franklin (played byJennifer Hudson) in the filmRespect,[52] and alongside Tom Hardy inHavoc.[53] In 2023, Whitaker portrayed boxing trainer Doc Broadus inBig George Foreman.[54], and appeared in an episode ofExtrapolations, an Apple TV anthology series that focuses on climate change.[55] In 2024, he appeared in theMGM+ series adaptation ofStephen L. Carter's novelThe Emperor of Ocean Park.[56] He was originally set to appear inFrancis Ford Coppola's projectMegalopolis but turned down the offer and his role was given toLaurence Fishburne.
He produced numerous projects through his production company, Spirit Dance Entertainment, which he shut down in 2005 to concentrate on his acting career.[4][57]
Whitaker's current company, Significant Productions, is devoted to creating opportunities for underrepresented narratives and storytellers by championing films and television shows starring people of color, alongside diversified representation behind the camera. Whitaker and his partnerNina Yang Bongiovi producedRyan Coogler's directorial debutFruitvale Station, which won the Grand Jury Prize and the Audience Award for U.S. dramatic film at the2013 Sundance Film Festival,[58] and won Prize of the Future at Cannes.[59] They also launched the career ofChloé Zhao, withSongs My Brothers Taught Me (2015).[60] Other producing highlights have includedRepentance (2013),Dope (2015),Roxanne Roxanne (2017)[61] andSorry to Bother You (2018).[62] In 2021, the company's latest film,Passing, debuted on Netflix.[63]
Significant Productions also produced a documentary that was shot in the hospice at Angola prison in Louisiana,Serving Life (2011), which was produced forOprah Winfrey as the first commission forOWN and Oprah's Doc Club.[64] They producedA Kid from Coney Island, a documentary about basketball star Stephon Marbury.[65] In 2020, Significant producedBy Whatever Means Necessary: The Times of Godfather of Harlem.[66]
Whitaker has played an active role as co-chair ofJuntoBox Films since his initial involvement as co-chair with the collaborative film studio starting in March 2012.[67] JuntoBox was developed as a social-media platform for filmmakers and fans to share ideas to create films and then collaborate to make them. Since Whitaker joined as co-chair, five projects have been greenlit for production.[68]
Whitaker worked closely withBabyface as the executive producer to the soundtrack forWaiting to Exhale, which Whitaker directed. The album received a total of eleven Grammy nominations in 1997, including Album of the Year and Song of the Year for "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)". Three songs were nominated for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. It won the Grammy for Best R&B Song for "Exhale (Shoop Shoop)", written by Babyface.[69] Whitaker was executive soundtrack producer on thesoundtrack forHope Floats, which he directed. Best known forGarth Brooks' rendition of "To Make You Feel My Love", the album went double-platinum and was Grammy-nominated. Whitaker also was executive music producer and co-wrote eight songs for the soundtrack toFirst Daughter, which he directed. He also appears in the music video "In the Dark" byBring Me the Horizon, released on October 21, 2019,[70]
Over the past decade, Whitaker has spent much of his time dedicated to humanitarian work. These pursuits were partially motivated by a core lesson his mother taught him: "You don't have to believe what I believe, but you have to believe in something," which Whitaker has discussed giving structure to much of his life.[71]
He founded the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI), a non-governmental organization, in 2012. WPDI implements peace-building programs in conflict affected communities throughout the world, which are focused on training youths in conflict resolution and developing businesses in areas of conflict. WPDI's programs are currently operating throughout Africa, Mexico, and the United States.
Whitaker was inducted as aUNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Peace and Reconciliation, in a ceremony atUNESCO headquarters on June 21, 2011. As Goodwill Ambassador, Whitaker worked with UNESCO to support and develop initiatives that empower youths and keep them from entering or remaining in cycles of violence. At the induction ceremony, U.S. Ambassador to UNESCODavid Killion described Whitaker as a "perfect choice as a Goodwill Ambassador... he has exemplified compassion in every area of his life, with humility and grace. He does this because it's the right thing to do."[72] Following his increased work in conflict-impacted regions, Whitaker was then promoted to a UNESCO Special Envoy for Peace and Reconciliation,[73] and was a member of President Obama's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities.[74] He previously served on President Obama's Urban Policy Committee and started collaborating with the Office of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict as an Advocate for Children Affected by War, a topic on which he was invited to speak before the UN Security Council in September 2014. Whitaker worked with elementary schools through the Turnaround Arts organization.[75] Additionally, he is on the steering committee for the UN's work with the Reintegration of Child Soldiers after having been an Advocate for Children Affected by War, and is an Advocate for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.[76]
He is also a supporter and public advocate for Hope North, a boarding school and vocational training center in northernUganda for escaped child soldiers, orphans, and other young victims of the country's civil war.[77]
Above all, Whitaker believes that ordinary people can and must come together to change the world. In his own words, "Even a seemingly small action can cause ripples that make an enormous impact."[78]
In politics, Whitaker supported and spoke on behalf of SenatorBarack Obama in his2008 presidential campaign.[79] On April 6, 2009, he was given achieftaincy title inImo State,Nigeria. Whitaker, who was named a chief among theIgbo community ofNkwerre, was given the titleNwannedinamba of Nkwerre, which meansA Brother in a Foreign Land.
Whitaker co-founded the International Institute for Peace (IIP) atRutgers University inNewark, New Jersey, where he is also a senior research scholar.[80] Launched during the international Newark Peace Education Summit, IIP's mission is to develop programs and strategic partnerships to address issues such as increasing citizen security through community-building; the role of women and spiritual and religious leaders in peacebuilding; the impact of climate change; and the reduction of poverty. IIP operates under the auspices of UNESCO.[81]
In 1996, Whitaker married actress Keisha Nash (1972–2023),[82] whom he met on the set ofBlown Away.[3] As a couple had two daughters together, along with his son and her daughter from previous relationships. In December 2018, Whitaker filed for divorce from Nash, citing irreconcilable differences.[83]
Whitaker studies yoga, has a black belt inkenpō and is a vegetarian.[3] He also trains ineskrima, originally underDan Inosanto and currently with Joe Jackson. In 2021, it was announced that he had joined NBA Africa as a minority owner and strategic investor.[84]
Whitaker's left eyeptosis has been called "intriguing" by the critic Susan Wloszczyna,[85] with the writer Stephanie Zacharek maintaining that it gives him "a sleepy, contemplative look".[86] Whitaker has explained that the condition is hereditary and that he has considered having surgery to correct it, not for cosmetic reasons but because it affects his vision.[87]
His ancestry has been traced toNkwerre inImo State of Nigeria, where he was made an honorary titled chief on April 5, 2009.[88]
In addition to the numerous awards Whitaker won for his performance inThe Last King of Scotland, he has also received several other honors. In 2005, the Deauville (France) Festival of American Film paid tribute to him.[89] 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".[90] Whitaker received the Capri Legend Award in 2006, from the Capri Hollywood International Film Festival.[21] He was honored at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2007, where he received the American Riviera Award.[91] On April 16, 2007, Whitaker was the recipient of the 2,335th star on theHollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to the motion pictures industry at 6801Hollywood Boulevard.[92][93][94][95]
In 2004, Whitaker received an Honorary Doctorate from the North Carolina School of the Arts.[96] In 2007, he received the Cinema for Peace Award for his ongoing advocacy for child soldiers and his work with inner-city youths.[78] Whitaker then received thehonorary degree ofDoctor of Humane Letters fromXavier University of Louisiana in 2009 at the 82nd Commencement Ceremony.[97] In 2009, he also received an Honorary Degree from Manhattanville College, where he delivered the commencement address.[98] In 2012, in recognition of his contributions to the values embodied by the UN, he received the United Nations Correspondents Association's Advocate of the Year Award.[78] In 2013, Whitaker received the Chevalier de l'ordre des Arts et des Lettres from France's Minister of Culture, in recognition of his work serving those affected by conflicts and violence.[99] That year, he was also named a Martin Luther King, Jr. Fellow by Boston University.[100] Whitaker was the keynote speaker at Miami University's commencement in 2014.[101] He received the honorary degree ofDoctor of Humane Letters fromCalifornia State University, Dominguez Hills on May 16, 2015.[102] In 2016, Whitaker received the Humanitarian Award from the World Childhood Foundation.[103]
In 2017, Whitaker earned the Crystal Award at the World Economic Forum in Davos.[104] That year, he also received the 4GameChanger Of The Year Award.[105] He received the honorary degree ofDoctor of Fine Arts fromUniversity of Southern California on May 11, 2018, at the 135th Commencement Ceremony.[106] He received the Medal of Peace from the University of San Diego's Kroc School of Peace Studies in 2018,[107] and received an Honorary Fellowship from SOAS University of London that same year.[108] In 2019, he was also among the recipients of the 2019Kennedy Center Award for the Human Spirit.[109] In 2021, USC awarded him the Robert Redford Award for Engaged Artists.[110] That year, he was also promoted to Commander of France's Order of Arts and Letters.[111] In 2021, Whitaker also received an honorary German Sustainability Award.[112] In 2022, he was awarded the International Peace Honors prize for his philanthropy and humanitarian service,[113] as well as the SDG Vanguard Award by the UN Foundation, for his innovative championing of sustainability and resilience across a wide array of countries.[114] He also received the Honorary Palme d'Or from the Cannes Film Festival.[115]
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