Morgan Freeman, born on June 1, 1937, is an American actor, director, and incredible narrator, distinctively known for his deep voice. As an ‘A-List’ celeb, Freeman has acted in numerous notable films and won several awards for his efforts. Today is his birthday and we are going to honor him by providing you with some fascinating facts and insights about the talented actor.
Morgan Freeman is a household name the world over and it’s no secret as to why. Freeman was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and raised in Mississippi with his three older siblings, where he attended school. After graduating, he studied theater arts in Los Angeles and began his career in acting in the 1970s with a role in the television series “The Electric Company.” After a few uncredited and small roles in several films, Freeman got his breakthrough in Hollywood with the movie “Street Smart,” which earned him an Academy Award nomination.
During the 1980s, Freeman starred in a further 13 movies, one being the comedy-drama “Driving Miss Daisy,” which afforded him his first Academy Award nomination for ‘Best Actor.’ In 1993, he directed his first movie, “Bopha!,” and one year later, he was cast in one of his most famous films, “The Shawshank Redemption.” Freeman has also starred in numerous notable movies through the years, such as the crime-thriller “Se7en” alongside Brad Pitt, Clint Eastwood’s sports drama “Million Dollar Baby,” and “Invictus” in which he portrayed Nelson Mandela.
Throughout his career, which spans over five decades, he has received multiple awards, including an Academy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Golden Globe Award. He has also won three Obie Awards for his performance in theater productions. In his personal life, Freeman has been married twice to Myrna Colley-Lee and Jeanette Adair Bradshaw respectively, and has four children. As of 2022, Freeman has a further five movies in production — still continuing his very fruitful career.
Freeman started acting in school plays in his hometown of Greenwood, Mississippi when he was just 9 years old. He made his acting debut as the main character in a school play and won a statewide drama competition at the age of twelve. He went on to study Theatre Arts at Los Angeles City College and began his professional acting career in the 1970s with a role in the television series “The Electric Company.”
Freeman’s breakout role came in 1987 with the film “Street Smart,” which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He achieved further stardom with films like “Glory” (1989), “Driving Miss Daisy” (1989), and “The Shawshank Redemption” (1994). Throughout his career, Freeman has received numerous awards and accolades for his performances in both film and theater.
In addition to his acting career, Freeman has also directed films and founded a film production company called Revelations Entertainment. He is known for his philanthropy and has supported various charitable causes over the years. Freeman’s talent, versatility, and iconic voice have made him one of the most respected and beloved actors in the industry.
