Ocean Whitaker Chose to Work in the Film Industry

Ocean Whitaker and Forest Whitaker. | Source: Getty Images

Ocean Whitaker, the only son of actor Forest Whitaker, has established a name for himself in Hollywood. Ocean and his father both have successful careers in the entertainment industry but work different jobs.

The first and only son of Oscar-winning actor Forest Whitaker, Ocean Whitaker is a successful man in his own right. Rarely seen in public, Ocean lets his achievements in the movie industry speak for themselves.

Ocean had an interesting childhood because his father instilled a sense of wonder and creativity. His name, like his childhood, is fascinating, and his father explained why he was named after a large body of saltwater.

Forest Whitaker and his son Ocean Whitaker attend the UFC 46-Revenge or Repeat Ultimate Fighting Championship at the Mandalay Bay Hotel on January 31, 2004, in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Source: Getty Images

Ocean’s Father Wanted Him to Be Expansive

Forest’s son was born Ocean Alexander Whitaker on April 13, 1990, in Los Angeles, California. Fondly called Ocean by his colleagues and family members, his zodiac sign is Aries.

The actor said that, since his name is “Forest,” he tries to live like a forest constantly growing and regenerating. He said he named his son “Ocean” because he wanted him to have an “expansive” life.

Little is known about Ocean’s mother. When Ocean was only a year old, his famous father had just gotten a divorce and was single for a while.

Forest Whitaker and his son Ocean Whitaker attend the “Garfield: The Movie” world premiere on June 6, 2004, in Los Angeles California. | Source: Getty Images

When Ocean was six, his dad remarried. In May 1996, Forest married Keisha Nash Whitaker, who became Ocean’s stepmother. True Whitaker and Sonnet Noel Whitaker became Ocean’s stepsisters.

Throughout Ocean’s childhood, he and his dad would often read fantasy books. Author Maurice Sendak’s book, “Where the Wild Things Are,” is an illustrated children’s book that Ocean adored.

Ocean’s half-siblings would also listen to Forest read the book to them. Because his kids enjoyed the scary parts of the story so much, the famous actor would often make grunting noises while reading them.

Years later, Forest found himself playing the book’s 2009 film adaptation. He was the voice behind the wild thing character Ira. He said playing the role was challenging because he could only use his voice and a costume on set, adding:

Forest Whitaker attends the “Where The Wild Things Are” premiere at Alice Tully Hall on October 13, 2009, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

Ocean Whitaker Was Involved in the Production of 3 Films

Like his famous father, Ocean is involved in the entertainment industry, though he chose a different path. After finishing his education at San Francisco State, he entered the film industry.

Ocean has worked as a film editor on three movie productions over the last few years. The short films “Another Try” in 2021 and “THE GAME OF SILENCE” in 2022 are his best-known works.

“Montebello” was Ocean’s most recent work. The main character of the 2022 movie is a man named Arturo, whose parents are in jail and push him to break out of a cycle of crime.

Aside from his creativity, Ocean is also a social activist. In 2016, he posted banners on the Facebook page “Statewide Student Conference: Reviving the Fight for Education,” which focused on topics on rising tuition costs, privatization, and police terrorism.

Ocean’s father appears to approve of his son’s efforts to achieve a better society. In his 2018 CNN opinion piece, Forest wrote that the adults in charge of the government should “make room” for youth participation.

Ocean’s Personal Life Remains Unknown

Ocean has contributed much to the movie industry and social causes, but he has never opened up about his personal life. A highly private person, he kept his Facebook page up until November 2016. After that, he never updated his page again.

His only rare public appearances have been alongside his father. In 2015, Forest posted a photo on Twitter of them inside a car as they headed to a reception at the White House.

As a teenager, he went with his father and family to several red-carpet events, such as Cirque du Soleil in 2003 and the world premiere of the film, “Garfield: The Movie” in 2004.

Forest Whitaker and his family attend Cirque du Soleil’s touring production “Varekai” and party at Cirque Du Soleil on September 12, 2003, in Los Angeles, California, United States. | Source: Getty Images

When Ocean Was 6 Years Old, His Father Started a New Family

In 2018, after 22 years of marriage, Forest filed for divorce from Keisha Nash Whitaker, citing irreconcilable differences as the reason for their split. His former wife is an actress and model whom he met on the set of their 1993 film “Blown Away.”

Amid the long-time couple’s split, their grown-up daughters appear unaffected. Sonnet Noel and True have all followed in their parent’s footsteps in the industry.

Ocean’s stepsisters are actresses. Sonnet Noel is best known for the film “First Daughter” while her younger sister also gained fame in the TV series “Godfather of Harlem.”

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