Morgan Freeman

Morgan Porterfield Freeman, Jr. (born June 1, 1937) is an American actor, film director, and narrator. He is noted for his reserved demeanor and authoritative speaking voice. Freeman has been the announcer for the CBS Evening News since 2010.

Freeman has received Academy Award nominations for his performances in Street Smart, Driving Miss Daisy, The Shawshank Redemption and Invictus and won in 2005 for Million Dollar Baby. He has also won a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Freeman has appeared in many other box office hits, including Unforgiven, Glory, Seven, Deep Impact, The Sum of All Fears, Bruce Almighty, Batman Begins, March of the Penguins, The Bucket List, Evan Almighty, Wanted, The Dark Knight, and Red.

Amazing Morgan Freeman Impression (plus 3 others)


Morgan Freeman: The Power of Words


Early life

Morgan Freeman was born in Memphis, Tennessee, the son of Mayme Edna (née Revere) and Morgan Porterfield Freeman, Sr., a barber who died in 1961 from cirrhosis. He has three older siblings. Freeman was sent as an infant to his paternal grandmother in Charleston, Mississippi.[1][2][3] His family moved frequently during his childhood, living in Greenwood, Mississippi; Gary, Indiana; and finally Chicago, Illinois.[3] Freeman made his acting debut at age 9, playing the lead role in a school play. He then attended Broad Street High School, currently Threadgill Elementary School, in Mississippi. At age 12, he won a statewide drama competition, and while still at Broad Street High School, he performed in a radio show based in Nashville, Tennessee. In 1955, he graduated from Broad Street, but turned down a partial drama scholarship from Jackson State University, opting instead to work as a mechanic in the United States Air Force.

Freeman moved to Los Angeles in the early 1960s and worked as a transcript clerk at Los Angeles Community College. During this period, he also lived in New York City, working as a dancer at the 1964 World's Fair, and in San Francisco, where he was a member of the Opera Ring music group. Freeman acted in a touring company version of The Royal Hunt of the Sun, and also appeared as an extra in the 1965 film The Pawnbroker. He made his off-Broadway debut in 1967, opposite Viveca Lindfors in The Nigger Lovers[4][5] (about the civil rights era "Freedom Riders"), before debuting on Broadway in 1968's all-black version of Hello, Dolly!, which also starred Pearl Bailey and Cab Calloway.
Career
Acting career
Freeman at the 10 Items or Less premiere in Madrid with co-star Paz Vega.

Although his first credited film appearance was in 1971's Who Says I Can't Ride a Rainbow?, Freeman first became known in the American media through roles on the soap opera Another World and the PBS kids' show The Electric Company,[3] (notably as Easy Reader and Vincent the Vegetable Vampire) which he later said he should have left earlier than he did.

Beginning in the mid-1980s, Freeman began playing prominent supporting roles in many feature films, earning him a reputation for depicting wise, fatherly characters.[3] As he gained fame, he went on to bigger roles in films such as the chauffeur Hoke in Driving Miss Daisy, and Sergeant Major Rawlins in Glory (both in 1989).[3] In 1994 he portrayed Red, the redeemed convict in the acclaimed The Shawshank Redemption. He also starred in films such as Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Unforgiven, Seven, and Deep Impact. In 1997, Freeman, together with Lori McCreary, founded the film production company Revelations Entertainment, and the two co-head its sister online film distribution company ClickStar. Freeman also hosts the channel Our Space on ClickStar, with specially crafted film clips in which he shares his love for the sciences, especially space exploration and aeronautics.

After three previous nominations—a supporting actor nomination for Street Smart, and leading actor nominations for Driving Miss Daisy, and The Shawshank Redemption—he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Million Dollar Baby at the 77th Academy Awards.[3] Freeman is recognized for his distinctive voice, making him a frequent choice for narration. In 2005 alone, he provided narration for two films, War of the Worlds and the Academy Award-winning documentary film March of the Penguins.

Freeman appeared as God in the hit film Bruce Almighty and its sequel, Evan Almighty, as well as Lucius Fox in the critical and commercial success Batman Begins and its 2008 sequel, The Dark Knight. He starred in Rob Reiner's 2007 film The Bucket List, opposite Jack Nicholson. He teamed with Christopher Walken and William H. Macy for the comedy The Maiden Heist, which was released direct to video due to financial problems of the distribution company. In 2008, Freeman returned to Broadway to co-star with Frances McDormand and Peter Gallagher for a limited engagement of Clifford Odets's play, The Country Girl, directed by Mike Nichols.

He had wanted to do a film based on Nelson Mandela for some time. At first he tried to get Mandela's autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, adapted into a finished script, but it could never be finalized.[6] In 2007 he purchased the film rights to a pre-published 2008 book by John Carlin, Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game that Made a Nation.[7] Clint Eastwood directed the Nelson Mandela bio-pic titled Invictus, starring Freeman as Mandela and Matt Damon as rugby team captain Francois Pienaar.[8] In October 2010, Freeman co-starred alongside Bruce Willis in Red.[9]
Other work

In July 2009 Freeman was one of the presenters at the 46664 concert (celebrating Nelson Mandela's birthday) at Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

Freeman was the first American to record a par on Legend Golf & Safari Resort's Extreme 19th hole.[10]

At age 65, Freeman earned a private pilot's license.[11] He owns or has owned at least three private aircraft, including a Cessna Citation 501 jet and a Cessna 414 twin-engine prop. In 2007 he purchased an Emivest SJ30[12] long-range private jet, and took delivery in December 2009.[13] He is certified to fly all of them.[14]

Effective January 4, 2010, Freeman replaced Walter Cronkite as the voiceover introduction to the CBS Evening News featuring Katie Couric as news anchor.[15] CBS cited the need for consistency in introductions for regular news broadcasts and special reports as the basis for the change.[15]

As of 2010, Freeman is the host and narrator of the Discovery Channel television show Through the Wormhole.[16]
Personal life
Freeman and his wife, Myrna Colley-Lee, at the 1990 Academy Awards
Family

Freeman was married to Jeanette Adair Bradshaw from October 22, 1967, until 1979. He married Myrna Colley-Lee on June 16, 1984. The couple separated in December 2007. Freeman's attorney and business partner, Bill Luckett, announced in August 2008 that Freeman and his wife are in the process of divorce.[17] On 15 September 2010, their divorce was finalized in Mississippi.[18]

He has two sons from previous relationships before he married Bradshaw. He adopted his first wife's daughter and the couple also had his fourth child.
Properties

Freeman lives in Charleston, Mississippi, and New York City. He co-owns and operates Madidi, a fine dining restaurant, and Ground Zero, a blues club, both located in Clarksdale, Mississippi. He officially opened his second Ground Zero in Memphis, Tennessee on April 24, 2008.
Car accident
Wikinews has related news: American actor Morgan Freeman in serious condition after car accident

Freeman was injured in an automobile accident near Ruleville, Mississippi, on the night of August 3, 2008. The vehicle in which he was traveling, a 1997 Nissan Maxima, left the highway and flipped over several times. He and a female passenger, Demaris Meyer, were rescued from the vehicle using the "Jaws of Life". Freeman was taken via medical helicopter to The Regional Medical Center (The Med) hospital in Memphis.[19][20] Police ruled out alcohol as a factor in the crash.[21] Freeman was coherent following the crash, as he joked to a photographer about taking his picture at the scene.[22] He broke his shoulder, arm and elbow in the crash and had surgery on August 5, 2008. Doctors operated for four hours to repair nerve damage in his shoulder and arm.[23] His publicist announced he was expected to make a full recovery.[24][25] Meyer, his passenger, has sued him for negligence, claiming that he was drinking the night of the accident.[26] She has denied reports that they were romantically involved.[27]
Activism
Comments on race

Freeman has publicly criticized the celebration of Black History Month and does not participate in any related events, saying, "I don't want a black history month. Black history is American history."[28] He says the only way to end racism is to stop talking about it, and he notes that there is no "white history month".[29] Freeman once said on an interview with 60 Minutes' Mike Wallace: "I am going to stop calling you a white man and I'm going to ask you to stop calling me a black man."[28] Freeman supported the defeated proposal to change the Mississippi state flag, which contains the Confederate battle flag.[30][31]
Honors

On October 28, 2006, Freeman was honored at the first Mississippi's Best Awards in Jackson, Mississippi, with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his works on and off the big screen. He received an honorary degree of Doctor of Arts and Letters from Delta State University during the school's commencement exercises on May 13, 2006.[32]

In 2008 Freeman's family history was profiled on the PBS series African American Lives 2. A DNA test showed that he is descended from the Songhai and Tuareg peoples of Niger.
Charitable work

In 2004 Freeman and others formed the Grenada Relief Fund to aid people affected by Hurricane Ivan on the island of Grenada. The Grenada Relief Fund has since become PLANIT NOW, an organization that seeks to provide preparedness resources for people living in hurricane and severe-storm afflicted areas.[33]

Freeman has worked on narrating small clips for global organizations, such as One Earth,[34] whose goals include raising awareness of environmental issues. He has narrated the clip "Why Are We Here", which can be viewed on One Earth's website.

Freeman has donated money to the Mississippi Horse Park in Starkville, Mississippi. The Horse park is part of Mississippi State University. Freeman has several horses that he takes there.[35]

Freeman joined President Bill Clinton, USA Bid Committee Chairman Sunil Gulati, and USMNT midfielder Landon Donovan on Wednesday, December 1, 2010 in Zurich for the USA bid committee's final presentation to FIFA for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.[36]
Politics

Freeman endorsed Barack Obama's candidacy for the 2008 presidential election, although he stated that he would not join Obama's campaign.[37] He narrates for The Hall of Presidents with Barack Obama, who has been added to the exhibit.[38][39] The Hall of Presidents re-opened on July 4, 2009 at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida.[39]
Filmography
Film Year↓ Title↓ Role↓ Notes
1964 The Pawnbroker Man on Street uncredited
1966 A Man Called Adam Unknown uncredited
1968 Where Were You When the Lights Went Out? Grand Central Commuter uncredited
1980 Brubaker Walter
1981 Eyewitness Lieutenant Black
1984 Teachers Al Lewis
1984 Harry & Son Siemanowski
1985 Marie Charles Traughber
1985 That Was Then... This Is Now Charlie Woods
1987 Street Smart Fast Black Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor
National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actor
New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor
Nominated—Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture
1988 Clean and Sober Craig
1989 Glory Sgt. Maj. John Rawlins Nominated—Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor
1989 Driving Miss Daisy Hoke Colburn 40th Berlin International Film Festival – Silver Bear for Best Joint Performance (shared with Jessica Tandy)[40]
Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actor
National Board of Review Award for Best Actor
Nominated—Academy Award for Best Actor
1989 Lean on Me Principal Joe Clark
1989 Johnny Handsome Lt. A.Z. Drones
1990 The Bonfire of the Vanities Judge Leonard White
1990 The Civil War Voice of Frederick Douglass
1991 Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves Azeem Nominated—MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo (shared with Kevin Costner)
1992 Unforgiven Ned Logan
1992 The Power of One Geel Piet
1993 Bopha! director only, his directorial debut
1994 The Shawshank Redemption Ellis Boyd "Red" Redding, Narrator Chlotrudis Award for Best Actor (tied with Wallace Shawn for Vanya on 42nd Street)
Nominated—Academy Award for Best Actor
Nominated—Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama
Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role - Motion Picture
1995 Outbreak Brig. Gen. Billy Ford
1995 Se7en Detective Lt. William Somerset Empire Award for Best Actor
London Film Critics Circle Award for Actor of the Year
Nominated—Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor
Nominated—MTV Movie Award for Best On-Screen Duo (shared with Brad Pitt)
Nominated—Saturn Award for Best Actor
1996 Chain Reaction Paul Shannon
1996 Moll Flanders Hibble
1996 Cosmic Voyage Narrator
1997 Amistad Theodore Joadson
1997 Kiss The Girls Dr. Alex Cross
1997 The Long Way Home Narrator
1998 Deep Impact President Tom Beck
1998 Hard Rain Jim
2000 Nurse Betty Charlie Quinn Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
2000 Under Suspicion Victor Benezet
2001 Along Came a Spider Dr. Alex Cross
2002 The Sum of All Fears DCI William Cabot
2002 High Crimes Charlie Grimes
2003 Bruce Almighty God
2003 Dreamcatcher Col. Abraham Curtis
2003 Levity Pastor Miles Evans
2003 Drug War Lt. Redding
2004 Million Dollar Baby Eddie "Scrap Iron" Dupris Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor
Italian Online Movie Award for Best Supporting Actor
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role - Motion Picture
Vancouver Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor
Nominated—Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor
Nominated—Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Supporting Actor
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture
Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
2004 The Hunting of the President Narrator limited release
2004 The Big Bounce Walter Crewes
2005 An Unfinished Life Mitch Bradley
2005 War of the Worlds Narrator
2005 March of the Penguins Narrator
2005 Batman Begins Lucius Fox
2005 Unleashed Sam
2006 Edison Force Ashford
2006 The Contract Frank Carden
2006 Lucky Number Slevin The Boss
2006 10 Items or Less Himself
2007 Evan Almighty God
2007 Feast of Love Harry Stephenson
2007 Gone, Baby, Gone Jack Doyle
2007 The Bucket List Carter Chambers Also Narrator
2008 Wanted Sloan
2008 The Love Guru Narrator Voice
2008 The Dark Knight Lucius Fox
2009 Prom Night in Mississippi Himself limited release
2009 Thick as Thieves Keith Ripley
2009 The Maiden Heist Charlie
2009 Invictus Nelson Mandela NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
National Board of Review Award for Best Actor (tied with George Clooney for Up in the Air)
Nominated—Academy Award for Best Actor
Nominated—Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor
Nominated—Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor
Nominated—Denver Film Critics Society Award for Best Actor
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama
Nominated—Houston Film Critics Society Award for Best Actor
Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Nominated—St. Louis Gateway Film Critics Association Award for Best Actor
Nominated—Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association for Best Actor
2010 Red Joe
2011 Born to Be Wild 3D Narrator
2011 Dolphin Tale Dr. McCarthy post-production
2011 The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle Zachariah In production
2012 The Dark Knight Rises Lucius Fox pre-production
Television Year↓ Title↓ Role↓ Notes
1971–1977 The Electric Company Easy Reader, DJ Mel Mounds, Dracula, Vincent the Vegetable Vampire television series
1978 Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Uncle Hammer made-for-television
1981 Ryan's Hope Cicero Murphy TV series (various episodes)
1981 The Marva Collins Story Clarence Collins made-for-television
1982–1984 Another World Roy Bingham TV series (various episodes)
1985 The Twilight Zone Tony Television series (episode "Dealer's Choice")
1986 Resting Place Luther Johnson made-for-television
1987 Fight For Life Dr. Sherard made-for-television
2008 Smithsonian Channel's Sound Revolution Himself (host) television series, series host
2008 Stephen Fry in America Himself television series, appears in episode 3
2010 The Colbert Report Himself interview
2010 The Daily Show Himself interview
2010 Through the Wormhole
with Morgan Freeman[16] Himself (host) television series, series host
2010 Saturday Night Live Himself (celebrity cameo) What Up With That
Other awards and honors

1978 Nominated for Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play in The Mighty Gents
1997 Received an honorary degree from Rhodes College, becoming an honorary alumnus[41]
2003 Received the Crystal Globe award for outstanding artistic contribution to world cinema at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
2006 Guest of honor at the Cairo International Film Festival
2007 He and his wife received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters
2007 Outstanding Contribution To Film And TV gong at the Screen Nation Film and TV Awards
2008 Kennedy Center Honors
2010 Received an honorary degree from Brown University[42]

References from Wikipedia.com