Life in Film: Forest Whitaker

A look at the Oscar-winning actor's career.

Fruitvale Station (2013) - On July 21, Forest Whitaker returns to the silver screen not as an actor but as the producer of the greatly-anticipated film Fruitvale Station, about the questionable death of a young Black man at the hands of police. For the last 30 years, the Oscar-winning thespian has built a powerhouse Hollywood career. Here's a project-by-project look at Whitaker's on-screen evolution.  (Photos from left: Kevin Winter/Getty Images, The Weinstein Company)
Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) - In this '80s teen classic, Forest Whitaker found his breakout role playing the brooding and intimidating high school football star Charles Jefferson. (Photo: Universal Pictures)
Platoon (1986) - Mr. Whitaker was cast as sensitive soldier Big Harold in the Oscar winning drama Platoon about the horrors of the Vietnam war. Keith David and Johnny Depp also starred. (Photo: Hemdale Films)
Good Morning, Vietnam (1987) - The following year, Forest landed in another film about Vietnam, this time the classic comedy Good Morning, Vietnam starring Robin Williams. Forest played Private First Class Edward Montesquieu Garlick. (Photo: Touchstone Pictures)Bird (1988) - Director Clint Eastwood handed Forest his first leading role, playing bebop jazz pioneer Charlie Parker in the biopic Bird. In the role of younger Charlie was Damon Whitaker, Forest's younger brother. (Photo: Warner Bros.)

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Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982) - In this '80s teen classic, Forest Whitaker found his breakout role playing the brooding and intimidating high school football star Charles Jefferson. (Photo: Universal Pictures)

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