Known for his iconic voice and a long list of memorable roles on stage and screen,Morgan Freemanis one of the most legendary actors working in Hollywood. Learn more about the star and his road to fame through his life in photos.
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Morgan Freeman’s Early Life
He received a partial scholarship from Jackson State University to pursue drama — but he turned it down to join the United States Air Force, where he served from 1955 to 1959 before moving to California.
02of 16Morgan Freeman’s Personal LifeFrazer Harrison/GettyIn 1959, Freeman welcomed his firstborn son Alfonso with former partner Loletha Adkins. His second son, Saifoulaye, was born in 1960, though his mother is unknown.Freeman wed Jeanette Adair Bradshaw in 1967 and the pair welcomed daughter Morgana together. Freeman also adopted Jeannette’s eldest daughter, Deena, whom she welcomed during a previous relationship. Jeanette and Freeman divorced in 1979.In 1984, Freeman married Myrna Colley-Lee, but they divorced in 2010.In 2014, he told theTelegraphthat he felt that he might have been too focused on acting to be a hands-on dad, but he’s refocused on family life: “Now I am in my dotage, I am a great grandfather. I have 14 grandchildren.”
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Morgan Freeman’s Personal Life
Frazer Harrison/Getty
In 1959, Freeman welcomed his firstborn son Alfonso with former partner Loletha Adkins. His second son, Saifoulaye, was born in 1960, though his mother is unknown.
Freeman wed Jeanette Adair Bradshaw in 1967 and the pair welcomed daughter Morgana together. Freeman also adopted Jeannette’s eldest daughter, Deena, whom she welcomed during a previous relationship. Jeanette and Freeman divorced in 1979.
In 1984, Freeman married Myrna Colley-Lee, but they divorced in 2010.
In 2014, he told theTelegraphthat he felt that he might have been too focused on acting to be a hands-on dad, but he’s refocused on family life: “Now I am in my dotage, I am a great grandfather. I have 14 grandchildren.”
03of 16Morgan Freeman’s Early CareerFreeman’s acting careerbegan on stage. He didn’t just excel at acting, but he discovered his talent in dance as well.Marking one of his first professional gigs, Freeman was hired as a dancer at the 1964 World’s Fair and was a member of the Opera Ring musical theatre troupe in San Francisco.It wasn’t until he joined the The Royal Hunt of the Sun touringgroupthat his acting career really began to take off, and he decided to pursue acting instead of dance.
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Morgan Freeman’s Early Career
Freeman’s acting careerbegan on stage. He didn’t just excel at acting, but he discovered his talent in dance as well.
Marking one of his first professional gigs, Freeman was hired as a dancer at the 1964 World’s Fair and was a member of the Opera Ring musical theatre troupe in San Francisco.
It wasn’t until he joined the The Royal Hunt of the Sun touringgroupthat his acting career really began to take off, and he decided to pursue acting instead of dance.
04of 16Morgan Freeman’s Theater BreakthroughFreeman acted in a few small onscreen roles early in his career, then landed an Off-Broadway role in 1967 before making his Broadway debut a year later — nabbing a part opposite Cab Calloway and Pearl Bailey in an all-Black adaptation ofHello, Dolly!in 1968.Freeman held several roles on stage throughout the 1970s, including Shakespearean tragedies such asJulius CaesarandCoriolanus. He was cast as the titular role in the latter and won an Obie Award in 1980 for his work.
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Morgan Freeman’s Theater Breakthrough
Freeman acted in a few small onscreen roles early in his career, then landed an Off-Broadway role in 1967 before making his Broadway debut a year later — nabbing a part opposite Cab Calloway and Pearl Bailey in an all-Black adaptation ofHello, Dolly!in 1968.
Freeman held several roles on stage throughout the 1970s, including Shakespearean tragedies such asJulius CaesarandCoriolanus. He was cast as the titular role in the latter and won an Obie Award in 1980 for his work.
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Morgan Freeman’s Breakthrough Role
Freeman gained recognition from American audiences thanks to the show, but it was his role in 1987’sStreet Smartthat he made his breakthrough. Cast as a violent street hustler, Freeman earned his first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor in the film. He’s also previously stated that it wasone of his favorite roles.
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Morgan Freeman’s Major Hollywood Beginnings
Between the late 1980s into the mid-1990s, Freeman kept very busy in Hollywood.
He held four film roles in 1989, with the first being the five-time Academy Award-winning war dramaGlory,in which he costarred alongsideDenzel Washington. The job marked one of Freeman’s first leading film roles.
07of 16Morgan Freeman’s Golden Globe WinIn addition to earning an Oscar nomination for his role inDriving Miss Daisy, he also received a Golden Globe nod in the same category — and won in 1990. Over the course of his career, he’s beennominated for five Golden Globes.
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Morgan Freeman’s Golden Globe Win
In addition to earning an Oscar nomination for his role inDriving Miss Daisy, he also received a Golden Globe nod in the same category — and won in 1990. Over the course of his career, he’s beennominated for five Golden Globes.
08of 16Morgan Freeman’s Directorial DebutChristopher Polk/GettyFreeman starred in films throughout the early 1990s includingRobin Hood: Prince of Thievesopposite Kevin Costner and Clint Eastwood’sUnforgiven, which earned four Oscars (including Best Picture).In 1993, he stepped behind the camera to make his directorial debut withBopha!, chronicling the story of a Black police officer during South Africa’s apartheid period.
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Morgan Freeman’s Directorial Debut
Christopher Polk/Getty
Freeman starred in films throughout the early 1990s includingRobin Hood: Prince of Thievesopposite Kevin Costner and Clint Eastwood’sUnforgiven, which earned four Oscars (including Best Picture).
In 1993, he stepped behind the camera to make his directorial debut withBopha!, chronicling the story of a Black police officer during South Africa’s apartheid period.
09of 16Morgan Freeman’s Role in The Shawshank RedemptionFreeman had a memorable performance as Ellis Boyd Red in 1994’s prison drama classicTheShawshankRedemption. Director Frank Darabont’s adaptation of Stephen King’s novella amassed critical acclaim, receiving seven Oscar nominations.Freeman’s role earned him Golden Globe, Oscar and Screen Actors Guild Award nods.
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Morgan Freeman’s Role in The Shawshank Redemption
Freeman had a memorable performance as Ellis Boyd Red in 1994’s prison drama classicTheShawshankRedemption. Director Frank Darabont’s adaptation of Stephen King’s novella amassed critical acclaim, receiving seven Oscar nominations.
Freeman’s role earned him Golden Globe, Oscar and Screen Actors Guild Award nods.
10of 16Morgan Freeman’s Voice RolesIn addition to his on-camera work, he’s also created a name for himself as a voice actor due to his distinctive tone.His iconic voice has narratedSteven Spielberg’sWar of the Worlds,March of the Penguinsand more.So what was left for Freeman to do besides be the voice of God? He did just that inBruce Almightyand its sequelEvan Almighty.
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Morgan Freeman’s Voice Roles
In addition to his on-camera work, he’s also created a name for himself as a voice actor due to his distinctive tone.
His iconic voice has narratedSteven Spielberg’sWar of the Worlds,March of the Penguinsand more.
So what was left for Freeman to do besides be the voice of God? He did just that inBruce Almightyand its sequelEvan Almighty.
11of 16Morgan Freeman’s Honorary DegreesFreeman has been awarded severalhonorary degreesfor his incredible contributions to the arts, culture and major charitable endeavors.He received an honorary Doctor of Arts and Letters degreefrom Delta State Universityin 2006, an honorary degreefrom Howard Universityin 2015 and an honorary Doctor of Humane Lettersfrom Boston Universityin 2016.
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Morgan Freeman’s Honorary Degrees
Freeman has been awarded severalhonorary degreesfor his incredible contributions to the arts, culture and major charitable endeavors.
He received an honorary Doctor of Arts and Letters degreefrom Delta State Universityin 2006, an honorary degreefrom Howard Universityin 2015 and an honorary Doctor of Humane Lettersfrom Boston Universityin 2016.
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Morgan Freeman’s Academy Award Win
Oscar nominations for Freeman have included Best Supporting Actor for 1987’sStreet Smartand Best Actor nods for 1989’sDriving Miss Daisy, 1994’sThe Shawshank Redemptionand 2009’sInvictus.
14of 16Morgan Freeman’s Cecil B. DeMille AwardFreeman was honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 69th annual Golden Globes in 2012, marking one of the numerous lifetime achievement awards the actor’s been honored with throughout his career.“Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman is one of the most recognizable figures in American cinema,” read theHollywood Foreign Press Associationpress release at the time. “His works are among the most critically and commercially successful films of all time and Freeman himself ranks 10th among worldwide top-grossing actors of all time.”
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Morgan Freeman’s Cecil B. DeMille Award
Freeman was honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 69th annual Golden Globes in 2012, marking one of the numerous lifetime achievement awards the actor’s been honored with throughout his career.
“Academy Award-winning actor Morgan Freeman is one of the most recognizable figures in American cinema,” read theHollywood Foreign Press Associationpress release at the time. “His works are among the most critically and commercially successful films of all time and Freeman himself ranks 10th among worldwide top-grossing actors of all time.”
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Morgan Freeman’s SAG Life Achievement Award
Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Freeman also received theScreen Actors Guild Life Achievement Awardfor his career achievement and humanitarian accomplishments. HisElectric Companyco-star,Rita Moreno, presented him with the honor.
16of 16Morgan Freeman’s Recent VenturesMorgan Freeman.youtubeFreeman is still an incredibly busy actor, with multiple films in theaters in 2021 and several more due out this year.He has also embarked on several ventures outside of acting, including environmental and political activism. He was also ahuge advocate of the COVID-19 vaccine.In 2021, Freeman donated $1 million to the University of Mississippi to launch its Center for Evidence-Based Policing and Reform.He most recently starred inA Good Personalongside Florence Pugh.
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Morgan Freeman’s Recent Ventures
Morgan Freeman.youtube
Freeman is still an incredibly busy actor, with multiple films in theaters in 2021 and several more due out this year.
He has also embarked on several ventures outside of acting, including environmental and political activism. He was also ahuge advocate of the COVID-19 vaccine.
In 2021, Freeman donated $1 million to the University of Mississippi to launch its Center for Evidence-Based Policing and Reform.
He most recently starred inA Good Personalongside Florence Pugh.
source: people.com
