Forest Steven Whitaker (born July 15, 1961) is an American actor, producer (film producer), and director (film director). He has earned a reputation for intensive character study work for films such as Bird (Bird (1988 film)) and Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai. However, for his recurring role as ex-LAPD Lieutenant Jon Kavanaugh on the gritty, award-winning television series, The Shield, Whitaker merely had to draw on his childhood years growing up in South Central Los Angeles (South Los Angeles), California.

Whitaker won an Academy Award for his performance as Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in the 2006 film The Last King of Scotland (The Last King of Scotland (film)). Whitaker has also won a Golden Globe (Golden Globe Award), and a BAFTA. He became the fourth African American man to win an Academy Award for Best Actor, joining the ranks of Sidney Poitier, Denzel Washington, and Jamie Foxx.