Skip to content
  • Essence GU
  • Beautycon
  • NaturallyCurly
  • Afropunk
  • Essence Studios
  • Soko Mrkt
  • Ese Funds
  • Refinery29
  • WeLoveUs.shop
  • 2026 ESSENCE Festival Of Culture
  • Celebrity
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Entrepreneurship
  • News
  • Shopping
  • Video
  • Events
  • Subscribe
Home • News

Reel Life: Forest Whitaker

Reel Life: Forest Whitaker
By Essence · Updated October 29, 2020
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…
01
Suited Up

Whitaker is clearly about his business in the futuristic action thriller, “Repo Man.”

Reel Life: Forest Whitaker
02
Double Duty

Whitaker shares top-billing with his on-screen partner, Jude Law, for “Repo Man.”

Reel Life: Forest Whitaker
03
Pure Comedy

It was a pleasure to watch as the dramatic actor lightened things up for the family comedy, “Our Family Wedding.” Here, he is pictured with co-star, Regina King.

Reel Life: Forest Whitaker
04
Politics As Usual

Whitaker portrayed a rule-bending LAPD Captain in the crime drama, “Street Kings.” He is pictured with his co-star, Hugh Laurie.

Reel Life: Forest Whitaker
05
Wrong Place, Wrong Time

In 2008, Whitaker joined the all-star cast of “Vantage Point.” The action thriller featured him a tourist caught in the melee of a Presidential assassination attempt.

Reel Life: Forest Whitaker
06
Be Happy

“The Air I Breathe” was based on an ancient proverb which suggests that life is broken down into four, components: happiness, pleasure, sorrow and love. Quite fittingly, Whitaker portrayed “Happiness.”

Reel Life: Forest Whitaker
07
Oscar Gold

Whitaker delivered a chilling performance of late Ugandan dictator, Idi Amin, in “The Last King of Scotland.” He earned a well-deserved Academy Award for Best Actor for his efforts.

Reel Life: Forest Whitaker
08
Future Oscar Winners

Whitaker starred with fellow Oscar winner, Jeff Bridges, in the explosive thriller, “Blown Away.”

Reel Life: Forest Whitaker
09
In Character, In Costume

Whitaker joined John Travolta for the sci-fi thriller, “Battlefield Earth.”

Reel Life: Forest Whitaker
10
Trouble Man

As an abusive husband and father named Maddog, Whitaker terrorized his on-screen family in “Jason’s Lyric.” His co-stars included Jada Pinkett Smith, Allen Payne and Bokeem Woodbine.

Reel Life: Forest Whitaker
11
High School Drama

For the 1999 drama, “Light It Up,” Whitaker starred alongside Usher and Vanessa Williams.

Reel Life: Forest Whitaker
12
Doctor’s Orders

“Article 99” featured Whitaker as Dr. Sid Handleman, a dedicated physician who works in an overcrowded, understaffed hospital.

Reel Life: Forest Whitaker