Whitaker has a long history of working with well-regarded film directors and actors . In his first onscreen performance of note , he had a supporting role playing a high school football player in the 1982 film version of Cameron Crowe 's coming-of-age teen-retrospective '' Fast Times at Ridgemont High '' . In 1986 , he appeared in Martin Scorsese 's '' The Color of Money '' and Oliver Stone 's '' Platoon '' . The following year , he co-starred in the comedy '' Good Morning , Vietnam '' . In 1988 , Whitaker appeared in the film '' Bloodsport '' and had his first lead role starring as musician Charlie " Bird " Parker in Clint Eastwood 's '' Bird '' . To prepare himself for the part , he sequestered himself in a loft with only a bed , couch , and saxophone , having also conducted extensive research and taken alto sax lessons . His performance , which has been called " transcendent " , earned him the Best Actor award at the 1988 Cannes Film Festival and a Golden Globe nomination
1988 Cannes Film Festival
1988 Cannes Film Festival
Forest Whitaker