Morgan freeman movie biography

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First, he he teamed up with good friend Clint Eastwood to appear in the drama, Million Dollar Baby (2004). The son of a teacher and a barber, he was sent as an infant to live with his paternal grandmother in Charleston, Mississippi.

Though he discovered a passion for acting at age nine, winning a statewide drama competition at 12, he initially turned away from the stage to pursue his dream of becoming a fighter pilot.

Known for his authoritative yet soothing voice and a presence that commands dignity, he has evolved from a stage actor and children’s show performer into a global cinematic legend.

Below is the definitive look at the life and legacy of Morgan Freeman as of late 2025.

Morgan Freeman Biography

Born Morgan Porterfield Freeman Jr. on June 1, 1937, in Memphis, Tennessee, Freeman’s journey to stardom was anything but direct.

morgan freeman movie biography

The Offer is not valid for current FanClub members, is non-transferable, and has no cash value. In 1990, Freeman starred as Petruchio in the New York Shakespeare Festival's The Taming of the Shrew, opposite Tracey Ullman. Whether he is playing a prisoner, a president, or the Almighty, Freeman continues to be a symbol of excellence and the “voice of reason” for audiences worldwide.

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Aniekan Andikan

Aniekan Andikan is a senior entertainment writer and researcher at Tushstories, specializing in the intersection of pop culture history and global celebrity legacies and relationships.

Morgan was born on June 1, 1937 in Memphis, Tennessee, to Mayme Edna (Revere), a teacher, and Morgan Porterfield Freeman, a barber. Regular work was coming in for the talented Freeman and he appeared in the prison dramas Attica (1980) and Brubaker (1980), Eyewitness (1981), and portrayed the final 24 hours of slain Malcolm X in Death of a Prophet (1981).

(1971). To qualify, you must enroll in a paid Fandango FanClub membership (3-month minimum at $29.97 + tax, then $9.99/month thereafter). For his portrayal of Nelson Mandela in the film, Freeman garnered Oscar, Golden Globe and Critics' Choice Award nominations, and won the National Board of Review Award for Best Actor.

Recently, Freeman appeared in RED (2010), a surprise box-office hit; he narrated the Conan the Barbarian (2011) remake, starred in Rob Reiner's The Magic of Belle Isle (2012); and capped the Batman trilogy with The Dark Knight Rises (2012).

He also narrated Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds (2005) and appeared in Batman Begins (2005) as Lucius Fox, a valuable ally of Christian Bale's Bruce Wayne/Batman for director Christopher Nolan. His first dramatic arts exposure was on the stage including appearing in an all-African American production of the exuberant musical Hello, Dolly!.

Throughout the 1970s, he continued his work on stage, winning Drama Desk and Clarence Derwent Awards and receiving a Tony Award nomination for his performance in The Mighty Gents in 1978.

They divorced in 1979.

Morgan Freeman and Myrna Colley-Lee

In 1984, Freeman married costume designer Myrna Colley-Lee. He holds a degree in Education and is dedicated to providing readers with deeply researched, human-centered biographies that go beyond basic facts. From the Jim Crow South to the heights of Hollywood, he has broken barriers and redefined what it means to be a leading man.

If you enroll through Fandango.com/fanclub, your two free ticket promo codes will be emailed to you after your 7-day free trial ends and your paid membership begins. He has also won a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Movie Highlights

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Additional Information

  • Aliases

    Freeman, Morgan J.

    Freeman, Morgan Porterfield Freeman Jr.

  • All Genres

    Drama, Documentary, Thriller, Crime, Action-Adventure, Comedy, Family, History, Music, Biography, Mystery-Suspense, Fantasy, Romance, Science Fiction, Comedy Drama, War, Animation, Horror, Non-Fiction, Sports, Epic, Spy Film, Western

  • All Subgenres

    Heist Film, Neo-Noir, Buddy Film, 3D Short, Biographical Film, Comedy Drama, Disaster Film, 3D Documentary, Action Thriller, Dystopian Film, Historical Film, Nature Documentary, Political Thriller Film, Satire, Superhero Film, Alien Invasion, Boxing Film, Christmas Film, Coming-Of-Age Fiction, Courtroom, Crossover Fiction, Detective Film, Epic Film, Family Film, Girls with Guns, High School, Prison Film, Psychological Thriller Film, Romantic Comedy, Spy Film, Sword-And-Sandal Film, Trial Film, 3D Animated, Action Comedy Film, African- Biographical Dramas, Animated Film, Biopunk, Black Comedy Film, Buddy Cop Film, Comedy Thriller, Drama Fiction, Female Buddy Film, Legal Drama, LGBT-Related Film, Martial Arts Film, Medieval Film, Musical, Ninja Film, Post-Apocalyptic Film, Psychological Horror Film, Road Movie, Science Fiction, Serial Killer, Sexploitation Film, Silent Feature, Speculative/Fantastic Fiction Film, Sport Film, Spy, Survival Film, Swashbuckler Film, Techno-Thriller, Teen Film, Tragicomedy, Vigilante Film, Western Film

With an authoritative voice and calm demeanor, this ever popular American actor has grown into one of the most respected figures in modern US cinema.

Freeman has several films upcoming, including the thriller Now You See Me (2013), under the direction of Louis Leterrier, and the science fiction actioner Oblivion (2013), in which he stars with Tom Cruise.

BornJune 1, 1937

With a career spanning over six decades, Morgan Freeman has become one of the most respected and recognizable figures in Hollywood.

Following a review, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) decided he would retain his Lifetime Achievement Award. Upon his discharge, he moved to Los Angeles to study acting and dance, laying the groundwork for one of the greatest careers in film history.

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Career

Freeman’s breakthrough was a slow burn.

Despite his age, he remains active in the industry. Freeman's next role was as gunman Ned Logan, wooed out of retirement by friend William Munny to avenge several prostitutes in the wild west town of Big Whiskey in Clint Eastwood's de-mythologized western Unforgiven (1992). He issued a public apology, stating it was never his intent to make anyone feel uncomfortable or disrespected.