Who Is Kenn Whitaker? Things You Should Know About Forest Whitaker’s Brother

Kenn Whitaker, born Kenneth Dwayne Whitaker, is an actor who gained recognition for his roles in films such as “Most Wanted” and “Life.”

He is the younger brother of Forest Whitaker, a renowned actor, producer, director, and activist, who has received critical acclaim and even won an Oscar for Best Actor.

In this article, we will explore Kenn Whitaker’s life both on and off the camera, including his marital status, his relationship with Forest Whitaker, and his career in movies and shows.

Table of Contents

Kenn Whitaker’s Profile Summary

Full Name: Kenneth Dwayne Whitaker
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: June 8th, 1963
Age: 59 years old
Ethnicity: African-American
Nationality: American
Horoscope: Gemini
Sexual Orientation: Straight
Religion: Christianity
Marital Status: Unknown
Parents: Forest Steven Jr. and Laura Francis Smith
Siblings: Forest, Damon, and Deborah
Height: 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm)
Net Worth: $400,000

Kenn Whitaker’s Texan Background

Kenn Whitaker was born on June 8th, 1963, in Longview, Texas. His mother, Laura Francis (née Smith), worked as a special education teacher, and his father, Forest E. Whitaker Jr., was an insurance salesman.

When Kenn was in elementary school, his family relocated to Carson, California. He grew up alongside his brothers and cousin, even sharing a bed with them during their childhood. Kenn attended Palisades Charter High School in Palisades, CA, and later pursued acting in college.

Ancestry and Siblings

A DNA test taken by Kenn’s brother, Forest, revealed interesting details about their ancestry. The test results showed that their mother had Akan ancestry, while their father had Igbo descent. It was discovered that their ancestors hailed from Ghana.

Kenn has two brothers, Forest and Damon, and an older sister named Deborah. Damon Whitaker is also involved in the film industry and has appeared in movies such as “Haphazard,” “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Champagne Game,” and “The Lazarus Papers,” among others.

Kenn and Forest Whitaker: Are They Twins?

Contrary to rumors, Kenn Whitaker and Forest Whitaker are not twins. Although there are some similarities in their appearances, none of the three brothers are twins.

The misconception may have arisen due to the strong resemblance between Kenn, Damon, and Forest. Some people even doubted the existence of Kenn and Damon, associating them closely with Forest. However, the truth is that Kenn and Damon are real individuals.

They were born at different times, which makes it clear that they are not twins.

Kenn’s Net Worth Compared to His Brother Forest

Forest Whitaker has achieved great success in Hollywood, being active since the 1980s and earning substantial wealth. With two of his movies grossing over a billion dollars at the box office, Forest is considered one of the most recognizable black actors in the North American film industry.

On the other hand, Kenn Whitaker, despite being a notable face, does not possess the same level of acclaim and financial success. It has been over two decades since Kenn’s last appearance on the silver screen, and his current professional pursuits are undisclosed. Therefore, it is uncertain what his net worth currently is.

Kenn Whitaker’s Acting Career and Movies

Kenn Whitaker made his acting debut in the 1997 film “Most Wanted,” where he portrayed the role of Bus Guard 2. In the following year, he had a cameo appearance in the HBO sketch comedy series “Tracey Takes On,” playing the role of a second smoking man in an episode titled “Smoking.”

In 1998, Kenn played the role of Henchman #1 in Warren Beatty’s political satire black comedy film “Bulworth,” which received Oscar nominations for Best Original Screenplay and three Golden Globe Awards.

In 1999, he had a cameo in the TV series “Party of Five,” where he portrayed the character of a Detention Center Guard in the episode “Whatever Works.” Later that year, Kenn appeared in the buddy comedy-drama film “Life,” directed by Ted Demme, starring alongside Eddie Murphy, Martin Lawrence, Bernie Mac, and Bokeem Woodbine. He played the role of Isaac in the film.

In 2001, Kenn starred in Gabriel Bologna’s indie thriller film “Theory of The Leisure Class,” portraying the character Otis. The same year, he appeared in the movie “Last Days.”

Forest Whitaker’s Eye Condition

Forest Whitaker, Kenn’s older brother, has an intriguing left eye that has sparked curiosity among film-goers. Contrary to some beliefs that he lost his eye, Forest actually has a condition called Ptosis, which causes the upper eyelids to sag or droop.

Ptosis is a benign ocular condition and not a result of losing an eye. Forest has used this condition to his advantage, allowing it to bring depth to the characters he portrays. Although he has considered corrective surgery, it would be for practical reasons, as sometimes his ptosis obstructs his field of vision in his left eye.

Kenn Whitaker’s Personal Life

Kenn Whitaker keeps his personal life highly private, and there is no information available about his marital status, wife, girlfriend, or family. Forest Whitaker, his brother, has also managed to keep his family’s personal affairs away from the public eye. Forest divorced his wife of 22 years, Keisha Whitaker, in 2021, but there is no public information regarding Kenn’s relationships or family life.

Other Facts

At the age of 25, Kenn Whitaker owned a record company called Urban Street.

Kenn Whitaker’s current age is 59 years old as of 2023.

Kenn Whitaker and Forest Whitaker are not twins; they have a two-year age difference.

Kenn Whitaker is a real person and not a made-up internet personality.

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