Hollywood actor Forest Whitaker has starred in several major film productions in his decorated career, earning himself awards such as an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and two Screen Actors Guild awards. However, not many know that Whitaker originally hoped to become an opera singer before becoming an actor.
According to an interview with Whitaker in LA Times, the actor shared his experience while learning to sing in such a demanding genre. Whitaker states, "I loved singing...in college, I had my first experiences going abroad by performing in different cathedrals across London with the madrigal choir. I studied classical voice at USC, and I got my first agent from my first professional play, “The Beggar’s Opera.”"
Whitaker discusses his work singing on-screen for a more recent role in a movie titled, "Jingle Jangle." He expressed that singing in this film presented a challenge for him. He shares, "I was worried I wouldn’t be able to handle the complexities of the songs. I felt like I was straining whenever I’d get to a certain high note."
Today, Whitaker is known for his iconic performances in films such as Arrival, Black Panther, Phone Booth, and even the Star Wars film, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. With such an esteemed past in his career, Whitaker truly proves to be an asset in Hollywood when it comes to casting for roles that audiences will love.
