The Great Debaters Cast

Forest Whitaker (James Farmer Sr.)

Forest Whitaker is one of Hollywood's most accomplished actors/directors/producers who has showcased his talents in a multitude of demanding and diverse roles. In 2007, Forest won the Academy Award® for best actor for his performance as Uganda dictator Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland. A part for which he also received the Golden Globe, SAG and BAFTA Awards.

Some of Forest's other films include Panic Room and Phone Booth. Equally impressive are Whitaker's television credits. Forest received critical acclaim for his performance on The Shield. He also earned an Emmy nomination for his work on ER.