Forest Steven Whitaker (born July 15, 1961) is an American actor, producer, and director. He has earned a reputation for intensive character study work for films such as Battlefield Earth, Bird and Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai,[http://www.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2006/10/01/in_general_he_rules/?page=1 “In general, he rules.”] The Boston Globe. October 1, 2006.[http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/31/sunday/main2418981.shtml “Forest Whitaker: