Forest Whitaker

Born:15 luglio 1961

Place of Birth:Longview, Texas, USA

Known For:Acting

Biography

Forest Whitaker, born on July 15, 1961, is a versatile American actor, producer, director, and activist. His career is adorned with prestigious awards, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, a British Academy Film Award, and two Screen Actors Guild Awards, showcasing his immense talent and dedication to the craft.

Whitaker's cinematic journey began with his memorable debut in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" in 1982. Since then, he has captivated audiences with his profound character portrayals in films like "Platoon," "Good Morning, Vietnam," "Bird," "The Crying Game," "Phenomenon," "Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai," "The Great Debaters," "The Butler," "Arrival," and "Respect." His ability to delve deep into the psyche of his characters has set him apart in the industry.

Not limited to intense character roles, Whitaker has also showcased his talent in blockbuster hits such as "Panic Room," "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story" as Saw Gerrera, and "Black Panther" as Zuri, proving his versatility across genres and styles.

One of Whitaker's most acclaimed performances was his portrayal of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in "The Last King of Scotland," which earned him the prestigious Academy Award for Best Actor. This role solidified his status as a powerhouse performer in the industry.

In addition to his contributions to film, Whitaker is recognized for his philanthropic endeavors and activism. His appointment as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in 2011, followed by his role as Special Envoy for Peace and Reconciliation, highlights his commitment to global peace and development. As the CEO of the Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative (WPDI), a non-profit organization, he continues to make a positive impact on society.

Whitaker's directorial talents have also shone through in projects like the television film "Strapped" and feature films like "Waiting to Exhale," "Hope Floats," and "First Daughter." His creative vision behind the camera complements his acting prowess, showcasing his multifaceted abilities in the entertainment industry.

With a career spanning decades, Forest Whitaker has left an indelible mark on Hollywood, not just through his exceptional performances on screen but also through his dedication to social causes and his impactful work behind the scenes. His legacy as a respected artist and humanitarian continues to inspire audiences worldwide.

Images

Filmografia

Recitazione

Black Panther

Zuri

2018

King T'Challa returns home to the reclusive, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to serve as his country's new leader. However, T'Challa soon finds that he is challenged for the throne by factions within his own country as well as without. Using powers reserved to Wakandan kings, T'Challa assumes the Black Panther mantle to join with ex-girlfriend Nakia, the queen-mother, his princess-kid sister, members of the Dora Milaje (the Wakandan 'special forces') and an American secret agent, to prevent Wakanda from being dragged into a world war.

Platoon

Big Harold

1986

As a young and naive recruit in Vietnam, Chris Taylor faces a moral crisis when confronted with the horrors of war and the duality of man.

Arrival

Colonel Weber

2016

Taking place after alien crafts land around the world, an expert linguist is recruited by the military to determine whether they come in peace or are a threat.

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Saw Gerrera

2016

A rogue band of resistance fighters unite for a mission to steal the Death Star plans and bring a new hope to the galaxy.

Taken 3

Inspector Frank Dotzler

2014

Ex-government operative Bryan Mills finds his life is shattered when he's falsely accused of a murder that hits close to home. As he's pursued by a savvy police inspector, Mills employs his particular set of skills to track the real killer and exact his unique brand of justice.

The Last Stand

Agent John Bannister

2013

Ray Owens is sheriff of the quiet US border town of Sommerton Junction after leaving the LAPD following a bungled operation. Following his escape from the FBI, a notorious drug baron, his gang, and a hostage are heading toward Sommerton Junction where the police are preparing to make a last stand to intercept them before they cross the border. Owens is reluctant to become involved but ultimately joins in with the law enforcement efforts

Phenomenon

Nate Pope

1996

An ordinary man sees a bright light descend from the sky, and discovers he now has super-intelligence and telekinesis.

Southpaw

Titus 'Tick' Wills

2015

Billy "The Great" Hope, the reigning junior middleweight boxing champion, has an impressive career, a loving wife and daughter, and a lavish lifestyle. However, when tragedy strikes, Billy hits rock bottom, losing his family, his house and his manager. He soon finds an unlikely savior in Tick Willis, a former fighter who trains the city's toughest amateur boxers. With his future on the line, Hope fights to reclaim the trust of those he loves the most.

Big George Foreman

Doc Broadus

2023

Fueled by an impoverished childhood, George Foreman channeled his anger into becoming an Olympic Gold medalist and World Heavyweight Champion, followed by a near-death experience that took him from the boxing ring to the pulpit. But when he sees his community struggling spiritually and financially, Foreman returns to the ring and makes history by reclaiming his title, becoming the oldest and most improbable World Heavyweight Boxing Champion ever.

Species

Dan Smithson, Empath

1995

In 1993, the Search for Extra Terrestrial Intelligence Project receives a transmission detailing an alien DNA structure, along with instructions on how to splice it with human DNA. The result is Sil, a sensual but deadly creature who can change from a beautiful woman to an armour-plated killing machine in the blink of an eye.

Bloodsport

Rawlins

1988

An American Army Major goes AWOL to Hong Kong for an outlawed martial arts contest called the Kumite.

Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai

Ghost Dog

1999

An African-American Mafia hit man who models himself after the samurai of ancient Japan finds himself targeted for death by the mob.

Sorry to Bother You

First Equisapien / Demarius

2018

In an alternate present-day version of Oakland, black telemarketer Cassius Green discovers a magical key to professional success – which propels him into a macabre universe.

Good Morning, Vietnam

Edward Garlick

1987

A disk jockey goes to Vietnam to work for the Armed Forces Radio Service. While he becomes popular among the troops, his superiors disapprove of his humor.

Vantage Point

Howard Lewis

2008

During an historic counter-terrorism summit in Spain, the President of the United States is struck down by an assassin's bullet. Eight strangers have a perfect view of the kill, but what did they really see? As the minutes leading up to the fatal shot are replayed through the eyes of each eyewitness, the reality of the assassination takes shape.

Phone Booth

Captain Ramey

2003

A slick New York publicist who picks up a ringing receiver in a phone booth is told that if he hangs up, he'll be killed... and the little red light from a laser rifle sight is proof that the caller isn't kidding.

The Last King of Scotland

Idi Amin

2006

Young Scottish doctor, Nicholas Garrigan decides it's time for an adventure after he finishes his formal education, so he decides to try his luck in Uganda, and arrives during the downfall of President Obote. General Idi Amin comes to power and asks Garrigan to become his personal doctor.

The Great Debaters

Dr. James Farmer Sr.

2007

The true story of a brilliant but politically radical debate team coach who uses the power of words to transform a group of underdog African-American college students into a historical powerhouse that took on the Harvard elite.

Respect

C. L. Franklin

2021

The rise of Aretha Franklin’s career from a child singing in her father’s church’s choir to her international superstardom.

Dope

The Narrator (voice)

2015

Malcolm is carefully surviving life in a tough neighborhood in Los Angeles while juggling college applications, academic interviews, and the SAT. A chance invitation to an underground party leads him into an adventure that could allow him to go from being a geek, to being dope, to ultimately being himself.

Where the Wild Things Are

Ira (voice)

2009

Max imagines running away from his mom and sailing to a far-off land where large talking beasts—Ira, Carol, Douglas, the Bull, Judith and Alexander—crown him as their king, play rumpus, build forts and discover secret hideaways.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High

Charles Jefferson

1982

Based on the real-life adventures chronicled by Cameron Crowe, Fast Times follows a group of high school students growing up in Southern California. Stacy Hamilton and Mark Ratner are looking for a love interest, and are helped along by their older classmates, Linda Barrett and Mike Damone, respectively. At the center of the film is Jeff Spicoli, a perpetually stoned surfer who faces-off with the resolute Mr. Hand—a man convinced that everyone is on dope.

The Experiment

Barris

2010

20 men are chosen to participate in the roles of guards and prisoners in a psychological study that ultimately spirals out of control.

Battlefield Earth

Ker

2000

In the year 3000, man is no match for the Psychlos, a greedy, manipulative race of aliens on a quest for ultimate profit. Led by the powerful Terl, the Psychlos are stripping Earth clean of its natural resources, using the broken remnants of humanity as slaves. What is left of the human race has descended into a near primitive state. After being captured, it is up to Tyler to save mankind.

Prêt-à-Porter

Cy Bianco

1994

During Paris Fashion Week, models, designers and industry hot shots gather to work, mingle, argue and try to seduce one another.

Mr. Holland's Opus

Bobby Tidd as an adult (uncredited)

1995

In 1965, passionate musician Glenn Holland takes a day job as a high school music teacher, convinced it's just a small obstacle on the road to his true calling: writing a historic opus. As the decades roll by with the composition unwritten but generations of students inspired through his teaching, Holland must redefine his life's purpose.

Vision Quest

Balldozer

1985

After deciding he needs to do something meaningful with his life, high school wrestler Louden Swain sets out on a mission to drop weight and challenge the area's undefeated champion, which creates problems with his teammates and health. Matters are complicated further when Louden's father takes in an attractive female drifter who's on her way to San Francisco.

The Color of Money

Amos

1986

Former pool hustler "Fast Eddie" Felson decides he wants to return to the game by taking a pupil. He meets talented but green Vincent Lauria and proposes a partnership. As they tour pool halls, Eddie teaches Vincent the tricks of scamming, but he eventually grows frustrated with Vincent's showboat antics, leading to an argument and a falling-out. Eddie takes up playing again and soon crosses paths with Vincent as an opponent.

Body Snatchers

Major Collins

1993

When Environmental Protection Agency inspector Steve Malone travels to a remote military base in order to check for toxic materials, he brings his family along for the ride. After arriving at the base, his teenage daughter Marti befriends Jean Platt, daughter of the base's commander, General Platt. When people at the base begin acting strangely, Marti becomes convinced that they are slowly being replaced by plant-like aliens.

Street Kings

Captain Jack Wander

2008

Tom Ludlow is a disillusioned L.A. Police Officer, rarely playing by the rules and haunted by the death of his wife. When evidence implicates him in the execution of a fellow officer, he is forced to go up against the cop culture he's been a part of his entire career, ultimately leading him to question the loyalties of everyone around him.

The Crying Game

Jody

1992

Irish Republican Army member Fergus forms an unexpected bond with Jody, a kidnapped British soldier in his custody, despite the warnings of fellow IRA members Jude and Maguire. Jody makes Fergus promise he'll visit his girlfriend, Dil, in London, and when Fergus flees to the city, he seeks her out. Hounded by his former IRA colleagues, he finds himself increasingly drawn to the enigmatic, and surprising, Dil.

Smoke

Cyrus Cole

1995

Writer Paul Benjamin is nearly hit by a bus when he leaves Auggie Wren's smoke shop. Stranger Rashid Cole saves his life, and soon middle-aged Paul tells homeless Rashid that he wouldn't mind a short-term housemate. Still grieving over his wife's murder, Paul is moved by both Rashid's quest to reconnect with his father and Auggie's discovery that a woman who might be his daughter is about to give birth.

Out of the Furnace

Chief Wesley Barnes

2013

Two brothers live in the economically-depressed Rust Belt, when a cruel twist of fate lands one in prison. His brother is then lured into one of the most violent crime rings in the Northeast.

Jiminy Glick in Lalawood

Forest Whitaker

2005

Hungry for an A-list interview that could launch him into the gossip-page stratosphere, Jiminy Glick, a small-time journalist with big aspirations and an even bigger appetite, drags his wife and kids across the country to the star-studded Toronto Film Festival. But in between the nonstop parties and all-you-can-eat buffets, Glick soon finds himself in the middle of an outrageously scandalous mystery that becomes the celebrity scoop of the decade!

Zulu

Ali Sokhela

2013

As a child, Ali Neuman narrowly escaped being murdered by Inkhata, a militant political party at war with Nelson Mandela's African National Congress. Only he and his mother survived the carnage of those years. But as with many survivors, the psychological scars remain.

Blown Away

Anthony Franklin

1994

Blown Away tells the story of Jimmy Dove, who works for the Boston bomb squad. Shortly after Dove leaves the force, his partner is killed by a bomb that Dove thinks might have been made by someone he knows.

Everyone's Hero

Lonnie Brewster (voice)

2006

A boy begins a grand journey to return Babe Ruth's baseball bat before the deciding game of the 1932 World Series comes to a close.

Stakeout

Det. Jack Pismo

1987

Two detectives observe an escaped convict's ex-girlfriend, but complications set in when one of them falls for her.

Bird

Charlie 'Bird' Parker

1988

Saxophone player Charlie ‘Bird’ Parker comes to New York in 1940 and is quickly noticed for his remarkable way of playing. He becomes a drug addict but his loving wife Chan tries to help him.

Produzione

Hope Floats

Executive Music Producer

1998

Birdee Pruitt has been humiliated on live television by her best friend, Connie, who's been sleeping with Birdee's husband, Bill. Birdee tries starting over with her daughter, Bernice, by returning to her small Texas hometown, but she's faced with petty old acquaintances who are thrilled to see Birdee unhappy -- except for her friend Justin. As he helps Birdee get back on her feet, love begins to blossom.

Sorry to Bother You

Producer

2018

In an alternate present-day version of Oakland, black telemarketer Cassius Green discovers a magical key to professional success – which propels him into a macabre universe.

Monte Carlo

Executive Producer

2011

Three young women vacationing in Paris find themselves whisked away to Monte Carlo after one of the girls is mistaken for a British heiress.

Dope

Producer

2015

Waiting to Exhale

Director

1995

Cheated on, mistreated and stepped on, the women are holding their breath, waiting for the elusive "good man" to break a string of less-than-stellar lovers. Friends and confidants Vannah, Bernie, Glo and Robin talk it all out, determined to find a better way to breathe.

Fruitvale Station

Producer

2013

Oakland, California. Young Afro-American Oscar Grant crosses paths with family members, friends, enemies and strangers before facing his fate on the platform at Fruitvale Station, in the early morning hours of New Year's Day 2009.