Framed in Eternity – The Biography of Morgan Freeman
Early Life
Morgan Freeman was born on June 1, 1937 in Memphis, Tennessee, USA. His mother, Mayme Edna, was a teacher, and his father, Morgan Porterfield Freeman, was a barber. Freeman is the youngest of five children. During his childhood, the family moved frequently, and he spent part of his youth in Mississippi, Chicago, and Indiana.
Even as a child, he showed an interest in acting and had his first acting role in elementary school, performing in a school play. Although he was offered a drama scholarship after high school, he chose to join the U.S. Air Force in 1955, where he worked as a radar technician. However, after four years, he realized his true passion was not aviation, but acting.
Beginning of Acting Career
After military service, Freeman moved to Los Angeles and began taking acting lessons. He also worked as a dancer in various shows and performed in theater. In the early years of his career, he appeared in minor stage and television roles. He gained wider recognition in the 1970s for his role in the children’s educational show “The Electric Company”, where he appeared from 1971 to 1977.
Rise to Fame
His first major breakthrough in film came in the 1980s. He earned critical acclaim for his role as a tough but fair boss in “Street Smart” (1987), which brought him his first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Over the next few years, Freeman starred in several films that brought him global fame, including:
- “Driving Miss Daisy” (1989) – playing chauffeur Hoke Colburn, earning his second Oscar nomination; the film won Best Picture.
- “Glory” (1989) – a historical drama about African-American soldiers in the American Civil War.
- “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves” (1991) – as Azeem, Robin Hood’s loyal companion.
- “Unforgiven” (1992) – Clint Eastwood’s western that won four Oscars.
Most Notable Roles and Recognition
In 1994, Freeman took on one of his most iconic roles in “The Shawshank Redemption”, portraying the inmate Red. The film became a classic and is still ranked among the greatest films of all time. He received another Oscar nomination.
In 2004, he starred in “Million Dollar Baby” and won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. That same year, he appeared in “Batman Begins” and later reprised his role in Nolan’s trilogy as Lucius Fox.
He also impressed as Detective Somerset in “Se7en” (1995), and starred in hits like “Deep Impact”, “Bruce Almighty”, “The Bucket List”, and “Invictus”, in which he portrayed Nelson Mandela and earned another Oscar nomination.
Distinctive Voice and Narration
Freeman is renowned for his deep, calm, and authoritative voice. He is often hired as a narrator in documentaries and feature films, including the famous “March of the Penguins” and “Through the Wormhole.”
Personal Life and Views
Morgan Freeman was married to Jeanette Adair Bradshaw (1967–1979) and has several children and grandchildren. He is known for his dignified demeanor, advocacy for civil rights, and outspoken views on racism in American society.
In 2008, he was involved in a serious car accident that left lasting effects on his left hand, but he successfully returned to acting.
Awards and Honors
- Oscar for Best Supporting Actor – “Million Dollar Baby” (2005)
- Five Oscar nominations during his career
- Golden Globe for “Driving Miss Daisy”
- AFI Life Achievement Award (2011)
- Presidential Medal of Freedom (2016) – the highest civilian honor in the U.S.
Legacy
Morgan Freeman is one of the most beloved and influential actors in Hollywood history. His ability to embody characters, his voice, and charisma have left an indelible mark on cinema. Despite his fame, he remains humble and committed to his craft, while actively participating in social and humanitarian causes.
