Where Are They Now?: The Cast Of ‘The Butler’

It’s hard to believe it has been more than a decade since Lee Daniels’ The Butler brought together one of the most star-studded casts in recent Hollywood history. So, where are they now and how have they continued bringing Black excellence to the big screen? Well, let’s unpack the film first. 

What was The Butler about?

Released in 2013, the historical drama followed Cecil Gaines, played by Forest Whitaker, an African American man who spends 34 years working as a White House butler. Through Cecil’s eyes, audiences witnessed some of the most pivotal moments in American history as he served seven presidential administrations, from Dwight D. Eisenhower to Ronald Reagan.

But the movie wasn’t just about what was happening inside the White House.

At home, Cecil was dealing with his own family struggles. His wife, Gloria, played by Oprah Winfrey, battled alcoholism and loneliness, while their son Louis, played by David Oyelowo, became increasingly involved in the Civil Rights Movement and eventually joined the Black Panthers. The film’s sprawling ensemble also featured Jane Fonda, Cuba Gooding Jr., Lenny Kravitz and a long list of familiar faces playing historical figures and White House staffers. 

It was so good that the film’s director, Lee Daniels, won the Hollywood Director Award at the Hollywood Film Awards in 2013 for his outstanding work.

So, more than 10 years later, what are the stars of The Butler up to now? Let’s take a look.

Forest Whitaker

Forest Whitaker gave the film its emotional center as Cecil Gaines, the soft-spoken butler who witnessed decades of history from just a few feet away. He earned an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture thanks to his role, too.

Since The Butler, Whitaker has continued to build an impressive résumé across film and television. One of his major recent roles has been Bumpy Johnson in MGM+’s Godfather of Harlem. Whitaker’s run as the legendary Harlem crime boss earned him several nominations, including a BET Award nomination in 2020 for Best Actor. He also earned an NAACP Image Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series in both 2020 and 2022. Whitaker also starred in MGM+’s Emperor of Ocean Park, a suspense thriller that premiered in 2024.

In other words, the man who spent The Butler quietly observing presidents has stayed plenty busy outside the White House.