Forest Whitaker

Oscar Acceptance Address for Best Actor in a Leading Role

delivered 25 February 2007, Hollywood, CA

[AUTHENTICITY CERTIFIED: Text version below transcribed directly from audio]

Thank you. Thank you. Just a second. Just a second. Okay, take it in.

I wrote something down 'cause I thought if it happened I might be a little overwhelmed -- and I am.

So, okay. When I was a kid, the only way I saw movies was from the back seat of my -- my family's car at the drive-in.

It wasn't my reality to think I -- I would be acting in movies.

So, receiving this honor tonight tells me that it's possible.

It is possible for a kid from East Texas, raised in South Central L.A. and Carson, who believes in his dreams, commits himself to them with his heart; to touch them and to have them happen.

'Cause when I first started acting it was because of my desire to connect to everyone, to that thing inside each of us -- that light that I believe exists in all of us.

'Cause acting for me his about believing in that connection. And it's a connection so strong, it's a connection so deep that we feel it. And through our combined belief we can create a new reality.

And so I want to thank my fellow believers in the Last King of Scotland. I want to thank Peter, Jeremy, Andrea, Lisa, Charles, Kevin, James McAvoy, Carrie, Steven, Fox, DNA, Channel 4.

I want to thank the people of Uganda who helped this film have a spirit.

And finally, I want to thank my mom and my dad. I want to thank my wife Keisha, my children, my ancestors who -- who -- who continue to guide my steps.

And God: God, who believes in us all -- and who has given me this moment in this lifetime that I will hopefully carry to the end of my lifetime into the next lifetime.

Thank you.

Book/CDs by Michael E. Eidenmuller, Published by McGraw-Hill (2008)

Page Updated: 1/5/24

U.S. Copyright Status: Text = Uncertain. Image (Screenshot) = Fair Use.