Morgan Freeman

June 1, 2024

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

Morgan Freeman was born on June 1, 1937, and 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 honor him by providing you with some fascinating facts and insights about the talented actor.

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Morgan Freeman

Birth date:

June 1, 1937

Age:

Zodiac Sign:

Gemini

Height:

6' 2"

Relationship Status:

Divorced

Net Worth:

$250 million

Background

Morgan Freeman is a household name worldwide, 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 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 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, 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 2023, Freeman has five movies in production, aiming to continue his fruitful career.

Career timeline

1971

His First Acting Gig

Freeman gets his first acting role in the television series “The Electric Company.”

1987

His Breakthrough Role

He is cast in “Street Smart,” which is his breakthrough role in Hollywood.

2004

An Academy Award Winner

Freeman wins the Academy Award for ‘Best Supporting Actor’ for his role in "Million Dollar Baby."

2022

His Continued Success

Freeman is still acting and has several films in pre-production.

Why We Love Morgan Freeman

He loves bees, and the environment
After learning about the effect bees have on the environment and their rapid decline, Freeman converted his ranch into a bee haven with 26 beehives. We think that’s admirable.
He manifested his success
He and a friend built an awards cabinet long before Freeman won an award. His friend had faith that Freeman would someday win an award for acting — which eventually became a reality.
He spreads his wealth
Freeman is a very charitable guy and has supported and created many foundations over the years. Some include education and resource aid for underprivileged children as well as assisting financially with natural disasters.

5 Surprising Facts

“The Shawshank Redemption”
Freeman’s first narration was in the film “The Shawshank Redemption.”
He suffers from paralysis
After a car accident, Freeman now experiences paralysis in the fingers of his left hand and has to sometimes wear a compression glove.
He was in the Air Force
Before attending college, Freeman was in the Air Force.
His punishment in school
As punishment for pulling a chair out from under a girl he liked, Freeman had to participate in the school drama club and ended up falling for the art.
He wrote a cookbook
Along with some other famous friends, Freeman published a cookbook called "Morgan Freeman and Friends: Caribbean Cooking for a Cause," which benefitted hurricane relief.