BY MICHAEL GOODPASTER
(FOUR) AWESOME START
Mr. Whitaker was “The Gooch” on Diff’rent Strokes, a bully who put Arnold in a tough spot. He put Arnold in charge of keeping an eye on his girlfriend. Arnold (Gary Coleman) pulled his smoothness on her and angered “The Gooch”. This was 1985. Rewind three years earlier. In 1982 Foreest landed a small supporting role that’s going to secure his place in history. In Fast Times at Ridgemont High he plays a crazy jock football player named “Charles Jefferson”. Spicolli (Sean Penn) and his little brother destroyed his prized car. The solution was amazing and memorable as they come.
(THREE) NINJA
He eats right. He is a vegetarian and pushed the causes of PETA all the time. Along with this, he is a big fan and follower of yoga. This spirituality and ambition only makes his case stronger for being a ninja. And… well… the fact that he has a black belt in karate. Yeah… probably that.
(TWO) WINNER
He has an Oscar, Golden Globe, SAG, and more… all for The Last King of Scotland. This all happened in 2006. While that year was huge for him, he’s not gone unnoticed or uncelebrated. He’s been nominated for Independent Spirit awards, Golden Globes, and even a Razzie.
(ONE) BEHIND THE CAMERA
This is the stuff I didn’t know. I had no idea that Forrest Whitaker was a director or producer. He directed a few movies before stepping back to focus on his acting. One movie that surprised me was “Waiting to Exhale”. Yeah, that movie where the chick burns her guy’s clothes and belongings because he cheated on her. Ugh.
|
