Quote

I'm just looking for characters that continue to make me stretch and grow and learn more about the human condition.

Forest Whitaker

Change background

T
T
T

Change font

TAGS & TOPICS

Forest Whitaker
Age: 63
Born: 1961
Born: July 15
Actor
Film Actor
Film Director
Film Producer
Karateka
Television Actor
Television Director
Voice Actor
Longview
Texas
Forest Steven Whitaker
Humans
Characters
Make
Conditions
Grow
Grows
Looking
Learn
Stretch
Character
Condition
Human
Continue

More quotes by Forest Whitaker

Image
I went through two schools of acting but I learned more about acting from meditating and from my marshall arts teacher.
Forest Whitaker
Image
As an artist, it's a great opportunity to play a character like this [Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland]. And then, as a person, I had never been to the African continent. So, I knew, personally, it would reshape me.
Forest Whitaker
Image
I care about people. In the end, I think they feel it. It comes across, regardless of the character I'm portraying.
Forest Whitaker
Image
It is possible for a kid from east Texas, raised in south central LA and Carson, who believes in his dreams, commits himself to them with his heart, to touch them and to have them happen.
Forest Whitaker
Image
In a lot of films, they're showing more complete, developed characters of diverse ethnic backgrounds. The larger concern is to be able to tastefully explore the stereotypes, and still move past them to see the core of people.
Forest Whitaker
Image
I try to be like a forest: revitalizing and constantly growing.
Forest Whitaker
Image
I was trying to capture this man's [Idi Amin] energy, and I did a lot of research in studying him. I tried to capture his 'Warrior King' energy inside of me as much as possible.
Forest Whitaker
Image
I've always wanted to do characters that would help me find my connection with others and connect all of us together. You always want the energy of the character, the spirit of the person, to enter you.
Forest Whitaker
Image
The true wealth of a community is measured by how carefully it listens to its women and how sincerely it values their wisdom. Empowering women empowers us all.
Forest Whitaker
Image
I really wasn't even sure if I should continue acting. I would like try and figure out if I could be good enough to do it. It was like 10 or 12 years into my career before I felt like maybe I can do it. It was such a different time than now.
Forest Whitaker
Image
I think the biggest thing that motivates me when I'm choosing a part is a role that will help me continue to grow as a person and as an artist, and a role that will deepen my understanding of humanity, and my connection to it.
Forest Whitaker
Image
I certainly don' think I could've played the character [Idi Amin] the same way without being in Uganda. I loved working in Uganda.
Forest Whitaker
Image
Since Idi Amin was from the Sudanese section in the north of Uganda, he was darker skinned. He had more of a blue undertone. So, we did change the coloring of my skin to be closer to his. But otherwise, there were no transformations besides acting.
Forest Whitaker
Image
In every project, I always look for the depth of humanity inside of it. I'm just trying to say if we can help in some way heal the equation with [Afro-Americans] what's going on with us as people.
Forest Whitaker
Image
When I was a kid, the only way I saw movies was from the back seat of my family's car at the drive-in.
Forest Whitaker
Image
It is important to make the best out of every generation.
Forest Whitaker
Image
Because I was playing Idi Amin, who dealt with the colonisation issue, I became aware of this internalised conflict of what it means to be torn between cultures, what it means to be taken over by other cultures.
Forest Whitaker
Image
I found the people to be very kind and generous. It was unique because the crew was mainly Ugandan [filming The Last King of Scotland]. They had never done a film before. So, they were learning the process of making films, but at the same time they were also helping with the authenticity of the film.
Forest Whitaker
Image
There's a thing you confront when you're going into something new and you come to this sort of abyss, and then you push yourself. It makes you try different things.
Forest Whitaker
Image
I like to play complex characters and the duality, and trying to reach for the light, it's more interesting really. I've gotten to play so many types of guys and I just try to find the humanity in each one of them the best I can.
Forest Whitaker