Morgan Freeman | Biography, Movies, Plays, & Facts

Morgan Freeman, (born June 1, 1937, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.), American actor whose emotional depth, subtle humour, and versatility made him ... MorganFreeman TableofContents MorganFreeman Introduction FastFacts Facts&RelatedContent Quizzes Media Videos Images More MoreArticlesOnThisTopic Contributors ArticleHistory RelatedBiographies WoodyAllen Americanactoranddirector MichaelCaine Britishactor DenzelWashington Americanactor HelenMirren Britishactress SeeAll Home Entertainment&PopCulture Actors MorganFreeman Americanactor Actions Cite verifiedCite Whileeveryefforthasbeenmadetofollowcitationstylerules,theremaybesomediscrepancies. Pleaserefertotheappropriatestylemanualorothersourcesifyouhaveanyquestions. 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MorganFreeman-StudentEncyclopedia(Ages11andup) By TheEditorsofEncyclopaediaBritannica • EditHistory TableofContents MorganFreeman Seeallmedia Born: June1,1937(age85) Memphis Tennessee ...(Showmore) AwardsAndHonors: NationalMedalofArts(2015) CecilB.DeMilleAward(2012) AcademyAward(2005) AcademyAward(2005):ActorinaSupportingRole CecilB.DeMilleAward(2012) GoldenGlobeAward(1990):BestActorinaMotionPicture-MusicalorComedy ...(Showmore) Seeallrelatedcontent→ MorganFreeman,(bornJune1,1937,Memphis,Tennessee,U.S.),Americanactorwhoseemotionaldepth,subtlehumour,andversatilitymadehimoneofthemost-respectedperformersofhisgeneration.Overacareerthatincludednumerousmemorableperformancesonstage,screen,andtelevision,FreemanwasoneofthefewAfricanAmericanactorswhoconsistentlyreceivedrolesthatwerenotspecificallywrittenforBlackactors.JessicaTandyandMorganFreemaninDrivingMissDaisyGloryAsayoungman,Freemanhadaspirationsofbeingafighterpilot;however,astintintheairforce(1955–59)proveddisappointing,andheturnedhisattentiontoacting.HemadehisBroadwaydebutinanall-BlackproductionofHelloDolly!in1967.Inthe1970shecontinuedtoworkonthestageandalsoappearedontheeducationalchildren’stelevisionshowTheElectricCompanyasthecharacterEasyReader.Freeman’sperformanceinthefilmBrubaker(1980)andonthesoapoperaAnotherWorld(1982–84),alongwithseveralenthusiasticreviewsforhistheatricalworkintheearly1980s,ledtomorechallengingfilmroles.HisportrayalofadangeroushustlerinStreetSmart(1987)earnedFreemanhisfirstAcademyAwardnomination,forbestsupportingactor.Hewaslaternominatedforabest-actorOscarforhisworkinDrivingMissDaisy(1989),inwhichhere-createdtheroleofHokeafterfirstperformingitonstage.HeevincedadisciplinarianprincipalinLeanonMe(1989),ahard-heartedCivilWarsoldierinGlory(1989),andanaginggunslingerinUnforgiven(1992).HemadehisdirectorialdebutwiththeantiapartheidfilmBopha!(1993).AthirdOscarnominationcameforhissoulfulturnasaconvictinTheShawshankRedemption(1994). BritannicaQuiz Oscar-WorthyMovieTrivia WhowasnominatedfortwoOscarsforplayingthesamerolenearly40yearsapart?Whatactorhasthemostnominationsever? MorganFreemanFreemanlaterappearedinseveralcrimedramas,includingSe7en(1995),KisstheGirls(1997),andAlongCameaSpider(2001)—thelattertwobasedonJamesPattersonnovels—aswellasTheSumofAllFears(2002).HewonanAcademyAwardforbestsupportingactorforhisperformanceasaformerboxerinClintEastwood’sMillionDollarBaby(2004)beforeappearingasLuciusFox,aresearchanddevelopmentguru,inChristopherNolan’sBatmanBegins(2005).FreemanreprisedthelatterroleinthesequelsTheDarkKnight(2008)andTheDarkKnightRises(2012).InRobReiner’sTheBucketList(2007),heandJackNicholsonplayedterminallyillcancerpatientswhomakethemostoftheirremainingtime.In2008FreemanreturnedtoBroadwayafternearly20yearsawayfromthestage,takingtheroleofFrankElgin,atalentedyetdispiritedactorwhohaslostthewilltoperform,inTheCountryGirl.ThefollowingyearhereteamedwithEastwoodonInvictus,adramainwhichheplayedNelsonMandela,whosoughttounitedividedSouthAfricabysupportingthenationalrugbyteam’squesttowinthe1995WorldCup.FreemanlaterappearedasaformerCIAagentintheactioncomedyRed(2010);asahigh-rankingU.S.politicianinthethrillerOlympusHasFallen(2013)anditssequels,LondonHasFallen(2016)andAngelHasFallen(2019);andasapostapocalypticsurvivalistinthescience-fictionadventureOblivion(2013).HealsoplayedamagicianwhoexposesthetradecraftofhisconfreresinNowYouSeeMe(2013)andits2016sequel.Freemanpursuedless-suspensefulfareaswellwithrolesinthesentimentaldramasDolphinTale(2011)anditssequel,DolphinTale2(2014),andinTheMagicofBelleIsle(2012).FreemanwentforlaughsinthebuddycomedyLastVegas(2013),inwhichhestarredoppositeRobertDeNiro,MichaelDouglas,andKevinKline.HelatervoicedawizardinTheLEGOMovie(2014),acomputer-animatedadventurethatfeaturedrenderingsofLEGOtoysasthecharactersandsettings.Hisotherrolesin2014includedananti-artificial-intelligenceactivistinTranscendenceandapsychologyprofessorinLucy.Freeman’slaterfilmsincludedthecomediesTed2(2015);GoinginStyle(2017),aremakeofthe1979filmaboutretireeswhoplanabankheist;andJustGettingStarted(2017),inwhichtworivalsataretirementcommunityteamuptosavethewomanofboththeiraffectionsfromherkidnappers.FreemanlaterportrayedthetoymakerDrosselmeyerinTheNutcrackerandtheFourRealms(2018),anadaptationofPyotrIlyichTchaikovsky’s19th-centuryballet.InTheComebackTrail(2020),FreemanstarredwithDeNiroandTommyLeeJonesandwascastasamobboss.Hiscreditsfrom2021includedthecrimethrillerVanquish,theactioncomedyTheHitman’sWife’sBodyguard,andthesci-fianthologyTVseriesSolos. GetaBritannicaPremiumsubscriptionandgainaccesstoexclusivecontent. SubscribeNow Freemanwastherecipientofnumerousawards,includingaKennedyCenterHonorin2008andtheCecilB.DeMilleAward(aGoldenGlobeforlifetimeachievement)in2012.TheEditorsofEncyclopaediaBritannicaThisarticlewasmostrecentlyrevisedandupdatedbyAmyTikkanen.