WATCH: Mike Interviews Forest Whitaker for the 2021 Newport Beach Film Fest

I join in with the 2021 Newport Beach Film Fest celebrate actor, producer and director Forest Whitaker with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his nuanced portrayals of a medley of unforgettable characters in movies and TV.

Whitaker, one of Hollywood’s most accomplished actors, directors, humanitarians and producers, has showcased his talents in a multitude of demanding and diverse roles. In 2007, he earned critical acclaim for his performance as Ugandan dictator Idi Amin in "The Last King of Scotland," receiving the Academy Award, BAFTA Award, SAG Award, and Golden Globe Award for Best Actor. His intensive character work in films such as "Lee Daniels’ The Butler," "The Crying Game," "Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai," and "Bird," for which he was named Best Actor at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival, have made him one of the most versatile performers of all time.