FOREST WHITAKER - WHITAKER TO HAND OUT OSCAR NODS

WHITAKER TO HAND OUT OSCAR NODS

Oscar winner FOREST WHITAKER will join Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President SID GANIS in reading out the Oscar nominations early on Thursday morning (22Jan09).
Whitaker, who picked up a Best Actor honour last year (07) for his portrayal of African leader Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland, will help unveil the nominations in 10 of the 24 award categories at a 5.30am news conference in Beverly Hills.
The ceremony will mark a bittersweet day for the friends and family of late movie star Heath Ledger - the Aussie actor is expected to be among the Best Supporting Actor nominees for his portrayal of The Joker in The Dark Knight.
The Golden Globe winner died from an accidental overdose on 22 January, 2008.