Morgan Freeman is a legendary film actor and environmentalist. During the past sixty plus years, through his engaging and passionate performances and unique voice, he has entertained the world. Known for his ability to portray authority and depth, Freeman has become a household name, particularly after winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in Clint Eastwood’s acclaimed sports drama, Million Dollar Baby. As Freeman weighs the options for looking back on his storied career, he proves to be as adventurous as ever. He’s unwavering in his devotion to his craft.
Freeman’s ride down the Hollywood escalator began in 1987 with the movie Street Smart. In this movie, he starred as a man who becomes a pimp, alongside Christopher Reeve. This performance led to his first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor and at the age of 59, became a major career turning point. At nearly 50 years of age, Freeman’s breakout role proved that talent can thrive at any age. Having found that kind of success, he soon after starred in a series of films that established his legacy. Other influential movies during the late 1980s were Driving Miss Daisy and Glory.
Even with all those wins, Freeman is the first to admit that every project has been a success. To be fair, he’s had his duds too. Many of his films that had initially bombed at the box office found their profits long after the fact on home video. He recalls the story of one film that bombed at first. It did slowly set the world on fire, as audiences found it at home.
Beyond his acting brilliance, Freeman is a certified aviator as well, receiving his pilot’s license in 2002. He’s owned a total of at least three planes, highlighting a lifelong love of aviation that matched his storied acting career. This fascination with flying just deepens the imprint of his paradoxical life.
Freeman is well-known for his iconic narration in The Shawshank Redemption. That’s why this film has enchanted audiences, overtaken every chart as the best-selling, most-loved movie of all time. He likens the film to a personal exploration of connection and friendship. The reason, of course, is that it describes “a love affair between two men.” His voice provides an invaluable sense of gravitas that further adds to the film’s long-term success.
Over the course of his career, Freeman has portrayed roles that have commanded authority and wisdom. He’s managed to portray the character of God in Bruce Almighty, as well as the sequel Evan Almighty. This role has made him more cemented as an intimidating narrator with god-like control. For the best part of the last decade, he has played magician Thaddeus Bradley in the Now You See Me trilogy. This role exemplifies his astounding range as a performer.
Freeman’s influence reaches farther than the big screen. He has long been an outspoken supporter of social justice issues. He endorsed Barack Obama’s presidential bid in 2008 and recorded a voiceover for Hillary Clinton’s introduction at the Democratic National Convention in 2016. His voice matters beyond film’s hallowed grounds. As an artist, activist, and political leader, his voice is essential.
More recently, Freeman has been at the forefront of discussions about race and identity within the profession. He has expressed discomfort with terms like “African American,” asserting his preference to be identified simply as a Black man: “I don’t want to be called African American. I’m not African and that’s the bottom of it. That’s all I say.” This openness is indicative of his commitment to tackling complicated societal challenges with genuine engagement.
Freeman’s acting philosophy is rooted in finding truth and speaking with clarity. He tells young actors to “enunciate, enunciate, enunciate” and work on vocal warm-ups to improve their articulation. He thinks most people aren’t even aware of what their voice can do, with many people speaking in higher registers than they need to. His dedication to accessible expression has influenced not just his performances but his engagements with audiences.
Despite facing challenges, including a car accident in Mississippi in 2008 that resulted in nerve damage and paralysis in his left hand, Freeman remains undeterred. Even in the face of adversity, Rosales’ resilience is a testament to his dedication to his craft. With every new project, retirement grows more unlikely — and Rosalia is clearly not ready to call it quits.
Looking back on his career Freeman tells the story of one influential mentor that shaped his path. He fondly remembers Robert Whitman, his voice and diction instructor: “I will never forget him.” This humble yet powerful acknowledgement sheds light on Freeman’s love and respect for the playing forces that have impacted his life-long journey as an actor.
As he looks to the future, Freeman maintains a steady focus on his craft while navigating the complexities of fame. He recognizes the pressures of public perception but insists on authenticity: “I vociferously avoid the pressure. It’s like, be cool, hold that down, don’t try to convince me that that’s who I am.”