Forest Whitaker

**Forest Steven Whitaker** (born July 15, 1961) is an accomplished American actor, producer, and director. He has gained numerous awards in his career, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a British Academy Film Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. Whitaker made his film debut in *Fast Times at Ridgemont High* (1982) before going on to gain a reputation for intensive character study work in films such as *Platoon* (1986), *Good Morning, Vietnam* (1987), *Bird* (1988), *The Crying Game* (1992), and *The Great Debaters* (2007). His portrayal of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in *The Last King of Scotland* (2006) won him an Academy Award. Beyond acting, Whitaker made his directorial debut with *Strapped* (1993) and has directed the films *Waiting to Exhale* (1995), *Hope Floats* (1998), and *First Daughter* (2004). He has been starring as Bumpy Johnson in the Epix crime drama series *Godfather of Harlem* since 2019. Whitaker was born on July 15, 1961, in Longview, Texas, and studied at the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, the University of Southern California, and New York University. His acting debut was in Dylan Thomas's play *Under Milk Wood*, and he has an extensive stage and television career in addition to his film work. Whitaker is also a humanitarian and activist, holding positions such as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and the CEO of the Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative, a non-profit outreach program. He is known for his support of ordinary people making a difference in the world, embodying his mother's teaching that 'you have to believe in something'.