Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman (born 1.6.1937)

Morgan Freeman is an American actor and film director.

Morgan Freeman: Childhood & Early Career

Morgan Freeman was born in Memphis, Tennessee, to Mayme Edna Freeman and Morgan Porterfield Freeman Sr. His father was a barber and died of cirrhosis of the liver in 1961. When his father died, Morgan Jr. was sent to live with his grandmother in Charleston, Mississippi.

Whilst in Mississippi, Morgan attended the Greenwood High School and at the age of 12, he won a drama competition. He also appeared in a radio show that was based in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1955, Freeman turned down a drama scholarship to Jackson State University to work as a mechanic in the US Air Force.

In the 1960s, Freeman lived in Los Angeles, working as a transcript clerk, before moving to New York City, where he performed as a dancer at the 1964 World's Fair. His acting ventures during this time include being a member of a touring company performing in The Royal Hunt of the Sun and his Broadway debut in an African-American production of Hello Dolly!

Morgan Freeman: Acting Career

Freeman first came to the public eye in the soap opera Another World and the children's show The Electric Company. He then made his film debut in 1971's Who Says I Can't Ride A Rainbow?

In the 1980s, Morgan Freeman landed a number of significant supporting film roles. He played the chauffeur named Hoke in Driving Miss Daisy, as well as Sergeant Major Rawlins in Glory, released the same year. He then went on to play Red, a transformed convict, alongside Tim Robbins in The Shawshank Redemption.

The 1990s were a lucrative time for Morgan Freeman, as he featured in a number of the decade's biggest movies, such as Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, with Kevin Costner, Seven, with Brad Pitt and Deep Impact with Elijah Wood and Robert Duvall.

At the 77th Academy Awards, Morgan Freeman won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor, for his role in Million Dollar Baby, in which he starred alongside Hilary Swank.

Freeman has played God twice, in the popular comedy Bruce Almighty and its follow-up Evan Almighty. He also played Lucius Fox in both Christopher Nolan Batman films, Batman Begins and The Dark Knight.

In 2007, Freeman starred alongside Jack Nicholson in The Bucket List. In 2008, he returned to the stage, starring alongside Frances McDormand and Peter Gallagher in the Broadway production of The Country Girl.

Morgan Freeman has also provided narration for a number of film projects, such as the award-winning documentary March of the Penguins and War of the Worlds.

Morgan Freeman: Personal Life

Between 1967 and 1979, Morgan freeman was married to Jeanette Adair Bradshaw. His second marriage, to Myrna Colley-Lee, lasted from 1984 to 2007.

Morgan has two sons, Alfonso and Saifoulaye, from previous relationships and also adopted Jeanette's daughter, Deena as well as the couple having a daughter together, named Morgana.

Morgan Freeman currently divides his time between New York City and Charleston Mississippi. In nearby Clarksdale, Freeman owns a blues club named Ground Zero. He also co-owns a fine-dining restaurant named Madidi.

Morgan Freeman publicly endorsed Barack Obama's successful campaign for the US presidency in 2008.

In August 2008, Morgan Freeman was injured in a car accident in Mississippi. His Nissan Maxima flipped over a number of times and he and his passenger had to be rescued from the vehicle. He had broken his shoulder, elbow and arm.