Forest Whitaker will receive the Actor Tribute at the 23rd Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards on December 2 in New York.

Whitaker, who leads an ensemble cast in the $110m-plus hit Lee Daniels’ The Butler, joins previously announced honourees Richard Linklater and Katherine Oliver.

Whitaker will also appear in the upcoming 2013 releases Black Nativity and Out Of The Furnace, slated for winter 2013 releases.