Forest Whitaker is an American actor, producer, and director, known for his versatile performances in film and television. He was born on July 15, 1961, in Longview, Texas. Whitaker gained widespread recognition for his role as Idi Amin in the film The Last King of Scotland, which earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor in 2007. In addition to his acting career, Whitaker is also a passionate advocate for peace and social justice. He has been involved in various humanitarian efforts and founded the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative to promote conflict resolution and community development in underserved areas.