Forest Whitaker’s career has seen him appear in many films and TV shows. He is best known for his work on The Last King of Scotland for which he has received many awards. Whitaker also appeared in high-budget movies like Star Wars: Rogue One.

Early Years

Forest Steven Whitaker, born July 15, 1961 in Longview Texas. He was raised with three of his siblings in Carson, California. Whitaker was a member of the football team, and sang in a choir in high school. He graduated in 1979.

After high school, he received a scholarship for football to California State Polytechnic University. Forest Whitaker switched his focus from football to singing in the choir and then to acting as he entered his undergraduate years.

He initially enrolled at the University of Southern California in order to study opera. However, he changed to the Drama Conservatory and graduated in 1982 with a BFA.

Net worth

Forest Whitaker, an American actor, producer and director, has received numerous awards throughout his career. His brilliant and extraordinary skills earned him a lot of fame and name. According to Celebrity Net Worth, has amassed a net worth estimated at $25 million by 2023.

A Career in Film

Whitaker was first recognized for his role in Fast Times at Ridgemont high, where he played a football player. Whitaker had a number of notable roles in the 1980s because of this. He played alongside Paul Newman in Martin Scorsese’s critically acclaimed The Color of Money.

Whitaker was then cast in Platoon, an acclaimed Vietnam War film. Whitaker then returned to Vietnam with Good Morning, Vietnam, a film starring Robin Williams. Forest Whitaker played the lead role in Clint Eastwood’s Bird. The film received high praise.

Forest Whitaker’s career continued to be a success in the 1990s. Whitaker used an English accent in The Crying Game (1992), which was released. Whitaker appeared in many films during the 1990s, including Smoke, Phenomenon, Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai, and Phenomenon.

Whitaker returned to the spotlight with Panic Room in 2001 after starring in the financial and critical disaster Battlefield Earth. Whitaker’s performance in The Last King Of Scotland (2006) received the highest praise. Whitaker’s performance led to numerous opportunities, including the Academy Award for Best Actor. Whitaker was cast as The Great Debaters in the following year.

Whitaker’s career in film stagnated over the next few decades. In 2013, he rose to prominence again with his performances in The Butler, and The Last Stand. In 2016, he was a big-screen debutant in Star Wars: Rogue One.

A Career in Television

Whitaker’s numerous television appearances are also well known. He appeared in various sitcoms during the 1980s including North and South, Amazing Stories and Different Strokes. Whitaker was the host and narrator of The Twilight Zone’s relaunch in 2002 and 2003.

In 2006, he landed a role in the cop drama The Shield. He also appeared in a few episodes of ER. Whitaker also voiced the animated Star Wars Rebels series.

Directing and producing

Forest Whitaker’s career as a producer and director has been amazing over the years. He began directing movies in the 1990s such as A Rage in Harlem, Strapped and The Last of Us. He directed and produced Waiting to Exhale, the romantic comedy First Daughter. He gained more producing experience with his many television films.

JuntoBox Films, a production house that produces independent movies. Forest Whitaker played a major role in the establishment and operation of JuntoBox Films. JuntoBox evolved into a platform that allows fans and filmmakers to collaborate and share ideas.

JuntoBox Films has finally closed its doors permanently, even though Forest Whitaker accepted five different ideas.

Activism

Whitaker, a vegetarian, has teamed with PETA in order to promote the ethical and health benefits of this diet. He works with Ugandan groups that train and rehabiliate fugitive children soldiers. He also established the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative. The program is designed to bring peace to countries that are conflict-torn around the globe.

Forest Whitaker became a UNESCO Goodwill ambassador in 2011. Forest Whitaker is responsible for helping young people to avoid violent cycles. Forest Whitaker founded the International Institute for Peace. The Institute addresses many issues, such as female empowerment, climate changes, community building and poverty alleviation.

Relationships

Forest Whitaker and Keisha Nash married in 1996. The couple has two children, plus two others from previous marriages. Whitaker divorced Keisha Nash, after 22 years.

Personal Experiences

Forest Whitaker is a martial artist with a solid background. He is a Kenpo black belt and also studies Eskrima. Forest Whitaker also spent many years studying yoga.

Critics have described Whitaker’s left eye as “intriguing”, “contemplative”, or both. Whitaker’s ptosis is what sets him apart from other actors, but he has considered corrective surgery, mostly to restore his sight.

Purchasing Real Estate

Forest paid $2 million in total for two homes in Hollywood Hills, in 2003. He combined the properties to create a single property with 11 bedroom, 10.5 bathrooms and two private driveways. The property has a total size of 1.66 acres and over 8,000 square foot living space. The house was first listed for sale for $6 million in 2017, then the price dropped to $4.3 before settling on $3.85 in January 2020.