on Morgan Freeman is an American actor, film director, and narrator known for his deep, resonant voice and commanding presence on screen. Freeman began his acting career on stage, appearing in several Broadway productions before transitioning to film and television. Freeman’s breakout role came in 1987 when he played the part of Fast Black in the film “Street Smart,” which earned him his first Academy Award nomination. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation and continues to be a prominent figure in Hollywood.
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Morgan Freeman Biography
Morgan Freeman
June 1, 1937
Los Angeles City College
Actor | Director | Narrator
1964 – present
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Early Life & Education
Morgan Freeman was born on June 1, 1937, in Memphis, Tennessee. His parents were Mayme Edna, a teacher, and Morgan Porterfield Freeman, a barber who died of cirrhosis when Freeman was only 16 years old. Freeman had three older siblings, but he was raised primarily by his grandmother in Charleston, Mississippi, after his parent’s divorce when he was a young child.
Growing up, Freeman was interested in acting and would often perform in school plays. After completing high school, he briefly attended Los Angeles City College but dropped out to join the United States Air Force. Freeman served for four years, working as a radar technician, before returning to the United States and moving to New York City to pursue an acting career.
Career
Morgan Freeman’s career spans several decades and includes numerous memorable roles on stage, television, and film. After making his Broadway debut in 1968, Freeman began to appear in television shows such as “The Electric Company,” where he played several characters including the iconic “Easy Reader,” and “Another World.” His film career began to take off in the 1980s, with roles in movies like “Brubaker” and “Harry & Son.” However, it was his role in the 1987 film “Street Smart” that garnered him critical acclaim and earned him his first Academy Award nomination.
Freeman’s breakthrough role came in 1989 when he starred alongside Jessica Tandy in “Driving Miss Daisy,” which earned him another Academy Award nomination and cemented his status as a leading actor. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Freeman appeared in a string of successful films, including “Glory,” “Unforgiven,” “The Shawshank Redemption,” and “Million Dollar Baby,” for which he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
In addition to his work in front of the camera, Freeman has also directed several films, including “Bopha!” and “Along Came a Spider,” and has served as a producer on several others. He is also known for his distinctive voice and has lent his talents as a narrator to numerous documentaries, commercials, and other projects.
In recent years, Freeman has continued to work in film, television, and theatre. He has received several lifetime achievement awards, including the Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award and the Cecil B. DeMille Award, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of his generation.
Personal Life
Morgan Freeman has been married twice. He married his first wife, Jeanette Adair Bradshaw, in 1967, and the couple had two children together, a daughter named Morgana and a son named Saifoulaye. However, they divorced in 1979.
In 1984, Freeman married Myrna Colley-Lee, a costume designer, and the couple remained together for over 20 years before divorcing in 2010. Freeman and Colley-Lee had no children together but were involved in several philanthropic endeavors, including the founding of the Rock River Foundation, which supports education and the arts.
Freeman is known for his love of sailing and has a home on the Caribbean island of Grenada, where he often spends time on his sailboat. He is also an avid supporter of various charitable causes and has served as a board member of organizations such as the Mississippi Horse Park and the Grenada Relief Fund.
In 2008, Freeman was involved in a serious car accident that left him with several broken bones, including his left arm, shoulder, and elbow. He underwent surgery and physical therapy to recover and has since returned to work in film, television, and theatre.
Filmography
Here are some of Morgan Freeman’s notable filmography:
- The Pawnbroker (1964)
- Who Says I Can’t Ride a Rainbow? (1971)
- Street Smart (1987)
- Clean and Sober (1988)
- Driving Miss Daisy (1989)
- Glory (1989)
- Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)
- Unforgiven (1992)
- The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
- Seven (1995)
- Kiss the Girls (1997)
- Amistad (1997)
- Deep Impact (1998)
- Nurse Betty (2000)
- Along Came a Spider (2001)
- High Crimes (2002)
- Bruce Almighty (2003)
- Million Dollar Baby (2004)
- Batman Begins (2005)
- Lucky Number Slevin (2006)
- Evan Almighty (2007)
- The Dark Knight (2008)
- Invictus (2009)
- Red (2010)
- Now You See Me (2013)
- London Has Fallen (2016)
- Going in Style (2017)
- The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (2018)
- Angel Has Fallen (2019)
- The Comeback Trail (2020)
Networth
Morgan Freeman’s net worth is estimated to be around $250 million as of 2021. Much of his wealth comes from his successful acting career, which has spanned several decades and includes many iconic roles. Freeman has also earned money from directing and producing films and from his work as a narrator for documentaries, commercials, and other projects.
In addition to his acting work, Freeman has been involved in various business ventures and is a co-founder of the Madidi Restaurant Group, which operates several upscale restaurants in the United States. He is also a co-owner of the Ground Zero blues club in Clarksdale, Mississippi.
Freeman has used his wealth to support various charitable causes and has been involved in several philanthropic endeavors throughout his career. He is known for his support of education and the arts and has donated millions of dollars to organisations such as the Mississippi Horse Park and the Grenada Relief Fund.
Social Media Handles
Morgan Freeman is very active on Twitter and Instagram. He has a verified account on Instagram with over 3.6 million followers. On Twitter also, he has over 380,000 followers. You can follow him on social media through the following handles.
Instagram: @morganfreeman
Twitter: @morgan_freeman
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