Morgan Freeman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Morgan Freeman
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Freeman in 2023
|
|
| Born |
Morgan Freeman
June 1, 1937 Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
|
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 1964–present |
| Organization | Revelations Entertainment |
|
Works
|
Full list |
| Spouse(s) |
|
| Children | 4 |
| Awards | Full list |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Service years | 1955–1959 |
| Rank | Airman First Class |
| Signature | |
 |
|
Morgan Freeman is a famous American actor, producer, and narrator. He was born on June 1, 1937. Throughout his long career, he has won many important awards. These include an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award. He has also been nominated for a Grammy Award and a Tony Award. People often recognize him for his deep, calm voice. In 2008, he received the Kennedy Center Honor. He also got the AFI Life Achievement Award in 2011. In 2012, he was given the Cecil B. DeMille Award. The Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award followed in 2018. Many consider him one of the greatest actors ever.
Contents
Early Life and School Days
Morgan Freeman was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on June 1, 1937. His mother, Mamie Edna, was a teacher. His father, Morgan Porterfield Freeman, was a barber who passed away in 1961. Morgan has three older brothers and sisters. Some of his ancestors were slaves who moved from North Carolina to Mississippi. He later learned that his white great-great-grandfather lived and was buried next to his Black great-great-grandmother. This happened in the South when laws prevented them from marrying.
When he was a baby, Morgan lived with his grandmother in Charleston, Mississippi. His family moved often during his childhood. They lived in places like Greenwood, Mississippi, Gary, Indiana, and Chicago. Morgan first acted at age nine in a school play. He won a statewide drama competition when he was 12. During school, he also discovered his love for music and theater. When he was 16, he had pneumonia.
After graduating high school in 1955, Morgan chose to join the United States Air Force. He turned down a drama scholarship. He worked as a radar repairman. He reached the rank of airman first class. After serving from 1955 to 1959, he moved to Los Angeles. There, he took acting classes. He also studied theater arts at Los Angeles City College. A teacher there even encouraged him to try a dance career.
Morgan Freeman's Acting Journey
Starting Out in Acting and TV
Morgan Freeman began his career as a dancer. He performed at the 1964 World's Fair. He also joined a musical theater group in San Francisco. He appeared in stage plays. He also had a small role in the 1965 film The Pawnbroker. Morgan soon realized that acting was his true passion. He said his acting career "just took off" after one play.
In 1967, he made his first Off-Broadway appearance. He then debuted on Broadway in 1968. This was in an all-Black version of Hello, Dolly!. From 1971, Morgan starred in The Electric Company. This was a children's television show on PBS. It brought him recognition and financial stability. He left the show in 1975. Later, he said he was grateful for being part of it.
His first credited film role was in Who Says I Can't Ride a Rainbow! (1971). After a short break, he returned to theater in 1978. He appeared in The Mighty Gents. For this role, he won a Drama Desk Award. He also won a Clarence Derwent Award. He continued with theater, performing in Shakespearean plays. These included Coriolanus and Julius Caesar. He won an Obie Award for his role in Coriolanus.
In 1980, he had a small role in the drama Brubaker. He also appeared in the TV film Attica. This film was about the 1971 Attica Prison riot. The next year, he had a main role in Eyewitness. From 1982 to 1984, he was on the soap opera Another World. He played an architect named Roy Bingham.
After several small roles, he starred in Marie (1985). He played Charles Traughber. In the mid-1980s, he started getting important supporting roles in movies. He became known for playing wise, fatherly characters. In 1987, he played in Street Smart. This role was different from his usual characters. His performance earned him an Oscar nomination. He later called Street Smart his big breakthrough. He also won Obie Awards for his roles in The Gospel at Colonus and Driving Miss Daisy.
Becoming a Hollywood Star
.jpg)
In 1989, Morgan Freeman had four movies released. First, he played Sergeant Major John Rawlins in Glory. This film was about the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. This was an African-American regiment in the American Civil War. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards. It won three, including Best Supporting Actor for his co-star.
Next, he starred in the comedy-drama Driving Miss Daisy. He played Hoke Colburn, a chauffeur for an older Jewish widow. He had played this role before in the stage play. The film was very successful. It was nominated for nine Academy Awards. Morgan Freeman was nominated for Best Actor.
His third film was Lean on Me. In this biographical drama, he played a school principal. The principal worked to improve a struggling high school. Lastly in 1989, he starred in Johnny Handsome. This was a crime drama. Morgan Freeman said Glory was one of his favorite films. He felt it showed the heroic history of Black people.
In 1990, he voiced Frederick Douglass in The Civil War TV series. He also played Petruchio in Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew. In 1991, he had a supporting role in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. This action-adventure film was a big commercial success.
_(cropped).jpg)
In 1992, he appeared in Clint Eastwood's western film Unforgiven. This film won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Morgan Freeman played Ned Logan, an old friend of the main character. His performance was highly praised. Also in 1992, he starred in The Power of One. He played a boxing coach named Geel Piet.
In 1993, Morgan Freeman directed his first film, Bopha!. This drama told the story of a Black policeman during South Africa's apartheid era. The film was well-received, especially for his directing.
In 1994, Morgan Freeman played Red in The Shawshank Redemption. This acclaimed drama also starred Tim Robbins. It was based on a story by Stephen King. His performance was described as "quietly impressive" and "moving." The film received Oscar nominations, including one for Morgan Freeman for Best Actor. The Shawshank Redemption has remained very popular with audiences.
His next film was Outbreak (1995). This was a medical thriller about a virus outbreak. It starred Dustin Hoffman and Rene Russo. The film was a box-office success. In 1995, Morgan Freeman starred with Brad Pitt in Seven. Critics praised Morgan Freeman's "supremely nuanced" acting.
While filming Outbreak, Morgan Freeman wanted to start his own film company. He partnered with Lori McCreary. They named their company Revelations Entertainment. They wanted to show more diverse stories on screen. In 1996, he appeared in Chain Reaction. This science-fiction thriller co-starred Keanu Reeves. He also starred opposite Robin Wright in Moll Flanders.
Becoming a Respected Actor
In 1997, Morgan Freeman narrated The Long Way Home. This documentary was about Jewish refugees after World War II. He also appeared in Steven Spielberg's historical film Amistad. This film was based on events aboard a slave ship in 1839. It received four Oscar nominations. That same year, he played psychologist Alex Cross in Kiss the Girls.
Morgan Freeman then starred in Deep Impact (1998). This science-fiction disaster film featured him as President Tim Beck. The story was about humanity trying to stop a comet from hitting Earth. The film was a big success. He also starred in Hard Rain (1998).
In 2000, he returned to the screen in the comedy Nurse Betty. He played Charlie, alongside Renée Zellweger. The film received positive reviews. Next, he appeared in Under Suspicion (2000). This thriller co-starred Gene Hackman.
In 2001, Morgan Freeman played Alex Cross again in Along Came a Spider. In 2002, he starred with Ben Affleck in the spy thriller The Sum of All Fears. This film was a commercial success. Next, he starred in High Crimes (2002). This legal thriller also featured Ashley Judd. Critics praised their performances. In 2003, Morgan Freeman appeared as God in the popular comedy Bruce Almighty. He starred with Jim Carrey.
He also appeared in the science fiction horror film Dreamcatcher (2003). In 2004, his films included the comedy The Big Bounce. He also starred in the sports drama Million Dollar Baby. In this film, directed by Clint Eastwood, he played an older former boxer. The film won four Academy Awards. Morgan Freeman won his first Oscar for this role. He also received a Golden Globe Award nomination.
Continuing His Successful Career
Morgan Freeman appeared in six films in 2005. He played Mitch in the drama An Unfinished Life. His distinctive voice led him to narrate two documentaries. These were Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds and the Oscar-winning March of the Penguins. He also played Lucius Fox in Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins. This was the first film in The Dark Knight Trilogy. He co-starred with Jet Li in the action-thriller Unleashed. His next role was in the thriller Edison. In his last release of 2005, he voiced Neil Armstrong in the documentary Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D.
Morgan Freeman starred in 2006's The Contract. He played an assassin named Frank Carden. He next appeared in Lucky Number Slevin (2006), a crime thriller. He also played himself in the comedy 10 Items or Less.
In 2007, Morgan Freeman played God again in Evan Almighty. This was a sequel to Bruce Almighty. He also starred in the drama Feast of Love. Morgan Freeman had a supporting role in Gone Baby Gone (2007). This mystery thriller was Ben Affleck's first film as a director. Afterward, he starred in The Bucket List (2007) with Jack Nicholson. The film was about two men on a road trip to do things before they passed away. It earned $175 million worldwide.
.jpg)
In 2008, Morgan Freeman was cast in the action-thriller Wanted. He played Sloan, the leader of a secret society. He also appeared in The Dark Knight (2008). This was the second film in Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy. He played Lucius Fox again. Morgan Freeman returned to Broadway in 2008. He co-starred in the play The Country Girl.
In 2009, Morgan Freeman starred in the heist movie Thick as Thieves. Next, he worked with Christopher Walken in the comedy The Maiden Heist. For some time, Morgan Freeman wanted to make a film about Nelson Mandela. He starred as Mandela in the film Invictus. Matt Damon played rugby team captain Francois Pienaar. This biographical drama received positive reviews for Morgan Freeman's performance. He received Best Actor nominations at the Academy Awards and Golden Globes. He also provided narration for the play Anne and Emmett.
.jpg)
Morgan Freeman's only film in 2010 was Red. He co-starred with Bruce Willis and Helen Mirren. He played CIA mentor Joe. The film was a success.
Besides films, Morgan Freeman worked on other projects. In 2010, he became the voiceover for the CBS Evening News. He also became the presenter of Through the Wormhole (2010–17) on the Science Channel. He was very interested in space and the universe.
In 2011, Morgan Freeman narrated Conan the Barbarian. He also appeared in the family drama Dolphin Tale. He played Dr. McCarthy, a prosthetic specialist. In 2011, he was in the Broadway play 8. This play was about the trial that changed California's ban on same-sex marriage. Morgan Freeman played Attorney David Boies.
He had a main role in the 2012 drama The Magic of Belle Isle. The film was not very popular with critics. Lastly in 2012, Morgan Freeman played Lucius Fox for the third time in The Dark Knight Rises.
Many successful films were released in 2013. Morgan Freeman appeared in Olympus Has Fallen. He played Speaker of the House Allan Trumbull. He then starred in the science fiction drama Oblivion with Tom Cruise. He also appeared in the thriller Now You See Me. Lastly, he played a retiree in Last Vegas. He co-starred with Michael Douglas and Robert De Niro. The film was praised for its cast's teamwork.
In 2014, Morgan Freeman voiced Vitruvius in The Lego Movie. This 3D animation was very successful. He starred in Transcendence, a science fiction thriller. Next, he co-starred in the action film Lucy. He played Professor Samuel Norman. He also appeared in Dolphin Tale 2 and 5 Flights Up. At the end of 2014, he appeared as himself in the documentary Lennon or McCartney.
Recent Work in Film and Television
Morgan Freeman's first film of 2015 was Last Knights. He starred opposite Clive Owen. He then joined the cast of Ted 2, a comedy sequel. He played Patrick Meighan, a civil rights attorney. A television series, Madam Secretary, also kept Morgan Freeman busy. He played Chief Justice Frawley. He and his partner Lori McCreary were executive producers for the show. Morgan Freeman directed the first episode. At the end of 2015, he played a U.S. senator in the thriller Momentum.
Playing Allan Trumbull again, Morgan Freeman appeared in London Has Fallen (2016). This was the sequel to Olympus Has Fallen. Next, he played Thaddeus Bradley in Now You See Me 2 (2016). This sequel was very successful. Finally, he had a main role in the historical drama Ben-Hur. He played Sheik Ilderim. Ben-Hur was not very successful at the box office.
In 2017, Morgan Freeman appeared in two comedies: Going in Style and Just Getting Started. In Going in Style, he played a bank robber with Michael Caine. Just Getting Started was not well-received by critics. Morgan Freeman also hosted the National Geographic shows The Story of God with Morgan Freeman and The Story of Us with Morgan Freeman.
In 2018, Morgan Freeman narrated Alpha, a historical drama. He then starred in Disney's The Nutcracker and the Four Realms. He also had a small role in the drama Brian Banks. In 2019, Morgan Freeman starred with John Travolta in The Poison Rose. He also played Allan Trumbull again in Angel Has Fallen. This film was a box office success.
Morgan Freeman next appeared in the crime comedy The Comeback Trail (2020). He was also in Coming 2 America (2021), a sequel to a 1988 film. On November 20, 2022, Morgan Freeman performed at the opening ceremony of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. In 2021, he had a guest role in the Netflix comedy The Kominsky Method. He was nominated for an Emmy Award for this role. Since 2023, he has played a United States Secretary of State in the Paramount+ series Lioness.
Looking Ahead in His Career
Morgan Freeman returned to the heist film series, acting in Now You See Me: Now You Don't, which was released in November 2025. This was his first movie in theaters in several years. When asked about retiring, Morgan Freeman said he still enjoys acting. He said the idea of retiring sometimes crosses his mind. But when a new job offer comes, his excitement returns.
Other Activities
Caring for the Environment
In 2004, Morgan Freeman helped create the Grenada Relief Fund. This fund helped people affected by Hurricane Ivan in Grenada. The fund later became PLANIT NOW. This organization helps people prepare for hurricanes and severe storms. In 2014, he narrated a video called What's Possible. It was shown at the United Nations climate summit. Morgan Freeman has also supported the Mississippi Horse Park.
After learning about the decline of honeybees, Morgan Freeman turned his 124-acre ranch into a bee sanctuary. He started with 26 beehives in July 2014. He also supports Oceana and ocean conservation.
Civic Engagement
In 2005, Morgan Freeman shared his thoughts on Black History Month. He believes that "Black history is American history." He feels that focusing on unity is important. He supported changing the Mississippi state flag. The flag at the time included the Confederate battle flag.
During the 2008 presidential election, Morgan Freeman supported Barack Obama. He provided the voice for Disney World's The Hall of Presidents when Obama was added. On day four of the 2016 Democratic National Convention, he narrated a video for Hillary Clinton. In 2017, he appeared in a video about protecting elections. Morgan Freeman also supported his friend Bill Luckett when he ran for Governor of Mississippi in 2011.
In June 2021, he and Linda Keena donated $1 million to the University of Mississippi. This helped create the Center for Evidence-Based Policing and Reform.
Business Ventures
In 1997, Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary founded Revelations Entertainment. This is a film production company. Morgan Freeman owns and runs Ground Zero, a blues club in Clarksdale, Mississippi. He was also a co-owner of Madidi, a restaurant in the same city.
Personal Life
Family and Home
Morgan Freeman was married to Jeanette Adair Bradshaw from 1967 to 1979. He married Myrna Colley-Lee in 1984. They separated in 2007 and divorced in 2010. Morgan Freeman has four children: Alfonso, Deena, Morgana, and Saifoulaye. He and Myrna also raised his step-granddaughter, E'dena Hines. Sadly, E'dena Hines passed away in New York City in 2015.
Morgan Freeman lives in Charleston, Mississippi. He also has a home in New York City. He earned a private pilot's license at age 65. He has owned several private aircraft.
In 2010, Morgan Freeman joined former President Bill Clinton and others in Zurich. They presented a bid for the U.S. to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Morgan Freeman's favorite film that he did not work on is Moulin Rouge!.
His Unique Style and Recognition
Morgan Freeman's deep voice is very special and easy to recognize. This often makes him a popular choice to narrate films and documentaries. A journalist once wrote that his "deeply reassuring voice" makes people think of a powerful presence. Morgan Freeman said his voice developed this way in college speech classes. He learned to speak in a lower tone and clearly say each word.
Morgan Freeman is known as a thoughtful actor. He chooses his roles carefully. He studies each character to make sure he plays them with depth and feeling. His co-star, Beverly Todd, said he is a "consummate actor." She added that he is a "very sharing actor and such a nice guy." Morgan Freeman enjoys playing character roles. He believes it's important to listen carefully during filming.
On October 28, 2006, Morgan Freeman received the Lifetime Achievement Award. This was for his work in film and theater. He received an honorary Doctor of Arts and Letters degree from Delta State University in 2006. In 2013, Boston University gave him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. In 2014, he was given the honor of Freedom of the City by the City of London.
In 2008, Morgan Freeman was chosen as a Kennedy Center Honoree. In 2011, he received the AFI Life Achievement Award. This recognized his contributions to the film industry. Many famous actors honored him at this event. In 2012, he was given the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award. This award celebrates lifetime achievement in film. In 2017, he received the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award. His co-star Rita Moreno presented him with this award.
Morgan Freeman Quotes
- "The search for truth is never over and the survival of truth is never assured. We have to choose - do we stand with those who wish to suppress the truth or stand with those who seek it."
- "Learning how to be still, to really be still and let life happen - that stillness becomes a radiance."
Films and TV Shows
Morgan Freeman has been in many films since 1964. He is known for roles in dramas, historical epics, thrillers, action adventure, science fiction, and comedies. Here are some of his most famous and successful films:
- Unforgiven
- Million Dollar Baby
- The Shawshank Redemption
- The Dark Knight trilogy
- Seven
- Born to Be Wild
- Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It
- Glory
- Gone Baby Gone
- March of the Penguins
- Sidney
- Driving Miss Daisy
- The Lego Movie
Awards and Honors
Morgan Freeman has been recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for these performances:
- 60th Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor, nomination, for Street Smart (1987)
- 62nd Academy Awards: Best Actor, nomination, for Driving Miss Daisy (1989)
- 67th Academy Awards: Best Actor, nomination, for The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
- 77th Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor, win, for Million Dollar Baby (2004)
- 82nd Academy Awards: Best Actor, nomination, for Invictus (2009)
Morgan Freeman has been nominated for five Golden Globe Awards. He won one for Best Actor in Driving Miss Daisy (1989). He has also been nominated for three Screen Actors Guild Awards. He won one for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role in Million Dollar Baby (2004). He earned an Obie Award for his theater roles in Coriolanus (1979), Mother Courage and Her Children (1980), and Driving Miss Daisy (1987–90).
See also
In Spanish: Morgan Freeman para niños
 | Shirley Ann Jackson |
 | Garett Morgan |
 | J. Ernest Wilkins Jr. |
 | Elijah McCoy |
