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As a young man, Freeman served with the United States Air Force before studying acting in Los Angeles. In the 1960s, he won a few bit parts in films, and by the end of the decade was appearing on the Broadway stage. The actor rose to prominence in 1971 as a cast member in the children's TV show 'The Electric Company.' He's pictured with Lee Chamberlin, Bill Cosby, Rita Moreno, Judy Graubart, and Skip Hinnant.
Morgan Freeman and Jack Nicholson share a laugh together at the New York Film Critics Circle Awards held at Sardi's restaurant in New York City on January 24, 1988. Freeman won several film critics' Best Supporting Actor awards for his role as Leo Smalls/Fast Black in 'Street Smart' (1987).
In the 1980s, small roles led to bigger parts. While 'Street Smart' (1987) is considered his breakthrough film, it's 1989's 'Glory' that truly raised Freeman's profile. His co-star Denzel Washington took home the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
In 1989, Morgan Freeman reprized his role as Hoke Colburn from the original off-Broadway production of 'Driving Miss Daisy' to costar in the movie version with Jessica Tandy, who portrays Daisy Werthan. Both performances received universal acclaim.
Freeman was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for 'Driving Miss Daisy.' Tandy, meanwhile, won an Oscar and BAFTA for Best Actress, and both walked away with Golden Globes. The pair are pictured with their Globes.
Freeman's work in Clint Eastwood’s revisionist Western 'Unforgiven' was highly praised. The film clinched Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director.
His appearance in 'Unforgiven' marked the first of several highly successful collaborations Freeman would make with Eastwood. The pair are pictured on set during filming.
A critical and eventual commercial success, 'The Shawshank Redemption' garnered Freeman his second Best Actor Academy Award nomination (and third Oscar nod overall), plus another Golden Globe nomination. The actor and his co-star, Tim Robbins, have both since remarked that the movie holds a special place in their hearts.
David Fincher's edge-of-seat psychological crime thriller pairs Freeman's mature, cerebral detective with Brad Pitt's young, rash, and headstrong counterpart as they pursue a particularly repugnant but highly intelligent serial killer in a film that still manages to shock, whether you've seen it once or a dozen times.
While it's Renée Zellweger's Betty Sizemore who's the scene-stealer in this laugh-out-loud comedy drama, Morgan Freeman's pairing with Chris Rock as a pair of hit men who pursue the hapless Betty to Los Angeles makes for inspired casting.
This slick, generally well-received crime thriller based on the Tom Clancy novel of the same name stars Ben Affleck as Jack Ryan, who answers to Morgan Freeman’s CIA official William Calbot as he attempts to thwart a terrorist plot to trigger a nuclear war between the United States and Russia. Freeman's portrayal as Calbot was noted for its authority and plausibility.
Morgan Freeman's inspired take on God, dressed smartly in a crisp white suit, is one of his great signature roles. He costars with Jim Carrey, whose character Bruce Nolan seeks divine retribution after being fired from his job. Their performances, together with that of Jennifer Aniston's, were widely applauded.
His second movie collaboration with Clint Eastwood saw Freeman win a well-deserved Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of gym assistant Eddie "Scrap-Iron" Dupris in this thoughtful but ultimately heartbreaking story about a waitress (Hilary Swank) who dreams of becoming a professional boxer.
Critically acclaimed, 'Million Dollar Baby' won multiple Academy Awards. Besides the Oscar for Freeman and among other accolades, the movie won Best Picture and Best Director for Eastwood and Best Actress for Swank, and was a huge box-office hit.
A victorious Morgan Freeman clutches his Oscar at the 77th Academy Awards ceremony in 2005, awarded for his work in 'Million Dollar Baby.'
Ben Affleck's directorial debut included buddy Morgan Freeman in a solid supporting role as Captain Jack Doyle in this fast-paced crime thriller that was well received by critics, and proved a commercial success.
Freeman's next film was 'Bucket List' in which he shared top-billing with Jack Nicholson. The plot, which follows two elderly and terminally ill men as they embark on a road trip with a wish list of things to do before they die, or "kick the bucket," proved popular with audiences. During an interview to publicize the movie, Freeman was asked what was on his own bucket list. The actor replied that he wanted to work with Jack Nicholson before he died.
Morgan Freeman married Jeanette Adair Bradshaw in 1967. They divorced in 1979. The couple, all smiles, are pictured in 1978 attending 'The Mighty Gents' Broadway opening party in New York City. Morgan was nominated for a Tony Award for his role as a wino in the play, meanwhile winning a Drama Desk Award and a Clarence Derwent Award for his efforts.
According to a CNN interview, in 1994 Nelson Mandela named Morgan Freeman as the actor he'd like to play him in a movie adaptation of the South Africa leader's memoir, 'Long Walk to Freedom.' That project didn't materialize, but 15 years later Freeman did indeed play Mandela in the Clint Eastwood-directed 'Invictus.' Based on events in South Africa before and during the 1995 Rugby World Cup, the movie was met with glowing critical reviews and earned Freeman a Best Actor Academy Award nomination. Co-star Matt Damon garnered a Best Supporting Actor nod.
Freeman, together with Bruce Willis, John Malkovich, and Helen Mirren, turned this action comedy caper, the first in the 'Red' series of films, into an international box-office hit. Critics were suitably impressed.
Freeman joined Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, and Kevin Kline for this appealing buddy movie, which see the four of them travel to Las Vegas for a bachelor party, thrown in honor of their last remaining single pal. Along with co-star Mary Steenburgen, none had ever shared the screen before.
Morgan Freeman began his career as a narrator back in 1994 and has since carved himself out a successful niche as one of the most in-demand and iconic voices in the business. He has also presented many documentaries, including the highly acclaimed 'The Story of God with Morgan Freeman' (2016–present), produced by National Geographic. Freeman, of course, has previously played God, once in 'Bruce Almighty' (2003) and again in 'Evan Almighty' (2007). The actor is pictured with executive producer Lori McCreary, who's also Freeman's business partner, speaking on stage at the world premiere screening of 'The Story of God with Morgan Freeman' in March 2016.
The actor married Myrna Colley-Lee, his second wife, on June 16, 1984. The couple are seen attending the National Board of Review of Motion Pictures 2003 Annual Awards Gala in New York City. Separated in 2007, the pair divorced in 2010.
An obviously delighted Morgan Freeman accepts the Life Achievement Award on stage during the 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles, California, in 2018.
In a CNN report published on May 24, 2018, Freeman was accused of harassment and inappropriate behavior by multiple women.
Freeman punches the air with his Cecil B. DeMille award at the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, California, in 2012.
Freeman and Lori McCreary founded Revelations Entertainment in 1996. Created in the first instance because he was frustrated by the lack of choice roles for Black actors, the production company was also established to highlight serious global issues. The company's credits include a list of ambitious films about religion, apartheid, astronomy, and stem cell research.
Morgan Freeman was born in Memphis, Tennessee on June 1, 1937. He began appearing in school plays at age nine and soon realized that acting was a profession he wanted to pursue.
The actor responded in a statement, saying, "Anyone who knows me or has worked with me knows I am not someone who would intentionally offend or knowingly make anyone feel uneasy. He apologized "to anyone who felt uncomfortable or disrespected—that was never my intent."
'Oblivion' also proved a winner with the public. It stars Tom Cruise as Jack Harper, one of just a handful of humans left on Earth after a devastating alien attack. Freeman's supporting role as a veteran soldier and leader of a large community of 'scavengers,' or human survivors, is brief but effective.
In 2023, he co-stars with Florence Pugh in the Zach Braff-directed feature, 'A Good Person.' He also has several other projects in the pipeline!
Sources: (The New York Times) (Entertainment Weekly) (The Seattle Times) (CNN) (Variety) (CNN) (Reuters)
See also: Hollywood's most recognizable voices
Now in his eighties, Morgan Freeman is still very much active in cinema. He starred in the 2021 'Vanquish' in a role that sees him play a retired cop who's turned bad and is definitely on the wrong side of the law.
Freeman and co-star Angelina Jolie were singled out for praise for their performances in this stylish action thriller, in which Jolie plays a member of a group of skilled assassins, a sinister fraternity led by Sloan (Freeman). James McAvoy also stars.
With a prolific career in film, stage, and television, Morgan Freeman is one of the most respected actors in the business. Recognized for his critically acclaimed roles in many iconic movies, including 'Glory', 'Driving Miss Daisy', 'The Shawshank Redemption', and 'Million Dollar Baby', the Academy Award-winning actor is also known for narrating several renowned documentaries and short films–his voice of authority and wise paternal presence serving him well as much on the small screen as in cinema.
Now in his eighties, Morgan Freeman shows no signs of slowing down, and remains a movie star in demand. Click through for an appreciation of the life and career of Morgan Freeman.
Morgan Freeman's best movie moments
The famed actor is 87 years old
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With a prolific career in film, stage, and television, Morgan Freeman is one of the most respected actors in the business. Recognized for his critically acclaimed roles in many iconic movies, including 'Glory', 'Driving Miss Daisy', 'The Shawshank Redemption', and 'Million Dollar Baby', the Academy Award-winning actor is also known for narrating several renowned documentaries and short films–his voice of authority and wise paternal presence serving him well as much on the small screen as in cinema.
Now in his eighties, Morgan Freeman shows no signs of slowing down, and remains a movie star in demand. Click through for an appreciation of the life and career of Morgan Freeman.