Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have chosen Oscar-winning actor Forest Whitaker to accompany the Academy president Sid Ganis in announcing nominees for the 81st Annual Academy Awards.
- January 21, 2009
AceShowbiz -
Forest Whitaker has been given the honor to announce the nominations of the 81st Annual Academy Awards. On Tuesday, January 20, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences uncovered that they have appointed the one time Academy Award-recipient to do the unveiling.
During the news conference held at the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills on Thursday, January 22 at 5:30 A.M., the 47-year-old who is also one of the Academy's members will announce the nominations in 10 of the 24 award categories. He will join Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Sid Ganis.
Forest Whitaker was dubbed as Best Leading Actor by the Academy in 2006 for his Idi Amin performance in "The Last King of Scotland". The actor whose acting credits include "The Great Debaters" and "Vantage Point" has also been known for his directing gigs, which include 2004 romantic comedy "First Daughter", 1998 romantic drama "Hope Floats" and 1995 drama "Waiting to Exhale".
The 81st Annual Academy Awards will be held at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, California on Sunday, February 22. The gala ceremony honoring the best in film for 2008 will be aired live by ABC with Laurence Mark and Bill Condon, the men behind the Oscar-winning musical "Dreamgirls", serving as the show's producer and executive producer respectively, and Hugh Jackman serving as the show's host.
