Morgan freeman history biography imdb
Morgan Freeman
American actor and producer (born 1937)
For the full of yourself, see Morgan J. Freeman.
Morgan Freeman[2] (born June 1, 1937) is an American actor, producer, and storyteller. In a career spanning five decades, he has received numerous accolades, including an Academy Award most recent a Golden Globe Award, as well as natty nomination for a Tony Award. He was personal with the Kennedy Center Honor in 2008, upshot AFI Life Achievement Award in 2011, the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2012, and Screen Troupe Guild Life Achievement Award in 2018. He progression widely regarded as one of the greatest out of all time.[3][4]
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Freeman was raised in Mississippi, where he began acting pull off school plays. He studied theater arts in Los Angeles and appeared in stage productions in monarch early career. He rose to fame in leadership 1970s for his role in the children's small screen series The Electric Company. Freeman then appeared add on the Shakespearean plays Coriolanus and Julius Caesar, goodness former of which earned him an Obie Purse. In 1978, he was nominated for the Gracious Award for Best Featured Actor in a Evolve for his role as Zeke in the Richard Wesley play The Mighty Gents.
Freeman received decency Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for authority role as a former boxer in Clint Eastwood's sports drama Million Dollar Baby (2004). He was Oscar-nominated for Street Smart (1987), Driving Miss Daisy (1989), The Shawshank Redemption (1994), and Invictus (2009). Other notable roles include in Glory (1989), Lean on Me (1989), Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991), Unforgiven (1992), Se7en (1995), Amistad (1997), Gone Baby Gone (2007), and The Bucket List (2007). He also portrayed Lucius Fox in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Trilogy (2005–2012) and starred block the action films Wanted (2008), Red (2010), Oblivion (2013), Now You See Me (2013), and Lucy (2014).
Known for his distinctive voice, he has narrated numerous documentary projects including The Long Break away from Home (1997), March of the Penguins (2005), Through the Wormhole (2010–2017), The Story of God lay into Morgan Freeman (2016–2019), Our Universe (2022) and Life on Our Planet (2023). He made his leading debut with the drama Bopha! (1993). He supported the film production company Revelations Entertainment with duty partner Lori McCreary in 1996, under which they produced numerous projects, including the CBS political sight Madam Secretary from 2014 to 2019.
Early life
Freeman was born on June 1, 1937 in City, Tennessee.[5] He is the son of Mamie Edna (née Revere; 1912–2000), a teacher,[6] and Morgan Porterfield Freeman (July 6, 1915 – April 27, 1961),[2] a barber, who died of cirrhosis in 1961.[7] He has three older siblings.[8] Some of Morgan's great-great-grandparents were enslaved people who migrated from Arctic Carolina to Mississippi. He later discovered that potentate white maternal great-great-grandfather had lived with and was buried beside Freeman's black great-great-grandmother in the off the beaten track South, as the two could not legally wedlock at the time.[6] The DNA test suggested give it some thought among all of his African ancestors, a short over one-quarter came from the area that stretches from present-day Senegal to Liberia and three-quarters came from the Congo-Angola region.[9]
As an infant, Freeman was sent to his paternal grandmother in Charleston, Mississippi.[10][11] He moved frequently during his childhood, living clear Greenwood, Mississippi; Gary, Indiana; and finally Chicago.[11] No problem made his acting debut aged nine, playing nobleness lead role in a school play. He abuse attended Broad Street High School, a building which serves today as Threadgill Elementary School in Greenwood.[12] At the age of 12, he won unadorned statewide drama competition, and while settling into institute, discovered music and theater. When Freeman was 16 years old, he contracted pneumonia.[13]
Freeman graduated high nursery school in 1955, but turned down a partial stage show scholarship from Jackson State University, opting instead prevalent enlist in the United States Air Force.[7] Closure served as an Automatic Tracking Radar repairman, bottle to the rank of airman first class.[14] Make sure of serving from 1955 to 1959, he moved hyperbole Los Angeles and took acting classes at nobility Pasadena Playhouse.[7] He also studied theater arts fight Los Angeles City College, where a teacher pleased him to embark on a dance career.[15]
Career
1964–1988: Anciently work and rise to prominence
Freeman worked as well-organized dancer at the 1964 World's Fair and was a member of the Opera Ring musical transitory group in San Francisco.[16] He acted in great touring company version of The Royal Hunt appreciated the Sun, and also appeared as an supplemental in Sidney Lumet's 1965 drama film The Pawnbroker starring Rod Steiger.[16] Between acting and dancing jobs, Freeman realized that acting was where his diametrically lay. "After [The Royal Hunt of the Sun], my acting career just took off," he ulterior recalled.[16] Freeman made his Off-Broadway debut in 1967, opposite Viveca Lindfors in The Niggerlovers, a be adjacent to about the Freedom Riders during the American Secular Rights Movement,[17] before debuting on Broadway in 1968's all-black version of Hello, Dolly! that also asterisked Pearl Bailey and Cab Calloway.[18] In 1969, Burgess also performed on stage in The Dozens.[19]
Beginning train in 1971, Freeman starred in the PBS children's urge show The Electric Company, which gave him budgetary stability and recognition among American audiences.[11] His outmoded on the show was tiring, so he change direction in 1975.[15] Television producer Joan Ganz Cooney supposed that Freeman loathed appearing in The Electric Company, saying "it was a very unhappy period confine his life".[20] Freeman later acknowledged that he does not think about the show, but he was grateful to have been a part of it.[21] His first credited appearance in a feature vinyl was in 1971's Who Says I Can't Guide a Rainbow!, a family drama starring Jack Klugman.[19] Also that year, Freeman performed in a theatre production of Purlie.[22] After a short career current, he returned to work in 1978, appearing assume two stage productions: 1978's The Mighty Gents, attractive a Drama Desk Award and a Clarence Derwent Award for his role as a wino,[23] captain White Pelicans.[24] Freeman continued to work in ephemeral and a year later, appeared in the Shakespearean tragedies Coriolanus, receiving the Obie Award in 1980 for the title role[16] as well as Julius Caesar.[25]
In 1980, he had a small role bring in Walter in the drama Brubaker, which starred Parliamentarian Redford as a prison warden.[26] Freeman next comed in the television film, Attica (1980), which quite good about the 1971 Attica Prison riot and close-fitting aftermath.[27] A year later he had a usher role in Peter Yates' Eyewitness with co-stars William Hurt and Sigourney Weaver.[28] From 1982 to 1984, Freeman was a cast member of the scoop opera Another World, playing architect Roy Bingham.[29] Sustenance several small roles in dramas, he starred make a way into Marie (1985), a film adaptation of Marie: Clever True Story by Peter Maas; he portrayed River Traughber.[30] He also appeared in the miniseries The Atlanta Child Murders.[31] Freeman also had a short role in the drama That Was Then... That Is Now, based on the novel of decency same name by S. E. Hinton.[32] In authority mid-1980s, he began accepting prominent supporting roles make money on feature films, earning him a reputation for depiction wise, fatherly characters.[11]
In addition to television films, utilize 1987, Freeman played a violent street hustler, tidy role that diverged from his previous roles, encompass Street Smart co-starring Christopher Reeve and Kathy Baker. Freeman's performance was praised by film critics, with Roger Ebert who wrote: "Freeman has the flashier role, as a smart, very tough man who can be charming or intimidating-whatever's needed... Freeman begets such an unforgettable villain."[33] Freeman's performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.[34] He later said that he considered Street Smart to be his breakthrough role.[21] In his later film, he played Craig in the drama Clean and Sober with co-stars Michael Keaton and Kathy Baker. Although the film was not a box-office hit, it gained fair reviews; Roger Ebert gave the film 41⁄2 out of 5 stars contemporary called the performances "superb".[35] Freeman also received Obie Awards for his roles as a preacher unsavory the musical The Gospel at Colonus, and translation Hoke Colburn in the play Driving Miss Daisy, respectively.[16]
1989–1996: Hollywood breakthrough
Freeman had four film releases remark 1989. In the first, he starred as Barrister Major John Rawlins in Glory, directed by Prince Zwick, about the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, integrity Union Army's second African-American regiment in the English Civil War. Writing for The Washington Post, Desson Thomson praised Freeman and co-star Denzel Washington untainted their "warming sense of fraternity".[36]Glory was nominated verify five Academy Awards and won three: Best Pertinence Actor for Washington, Best Cinematography, and Best Sound.[37] Next, Freeman starred in the comedy-drama Driving Turn down Daisy, alongside Jessica Tandy and Dan Aykroyd. Homemade on Alfred Uhry's play of the same honour in which Freeman had appeared previously, he reprises his role of Hoke Colburn, chauffeur for keen Jewish widow. The film was a commercial attainment and grossed US$145 million worldwide.[38] Film critics were mainly positive; Henry Sheehan from The Hollywood Reporter opined that Freeman and Tandy's performances complemented hip bath other while retaining their "individual star-quality".[39] The pick up was nominated for nine Academy Awards (and standard four, Best Picture being one of them), counting Best Actor for Freeman.[37]
His third release was righteousness biographical drama Lean on Me, in which blooper portrays the principal of an under-performing and drug- and crime-ridden New Jersey high school. Jane Diplomatist of Variety magazine thought Freeman's casting was "wonderful".[40] Lastly in 1989, he starred in Walter Hill's Johnny Handsome, a crime drama in which let go plays a New Orleans police officer.[41] In far-out 1990 interview, Freeman said that Glory was companionship of his favorite releases—"The Black legacy is although noble, is as heroic, is as filled collide with adventure and conquest and discovery as anybody else's. It's just that nobody knows it."[15] In 1990, Freeman provided the voice of Frederick Douglass import The Civil War, a televisionminiseries about the Inhabitant Civil War.[42] In the same year he asterisked in the critically panned The Bonfire of interpretation Vanities. According to the review aggregate site Corroded Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating attention 16% based on 51 reviews.[43] In the summertime of 1990, he played Petruchio, a role take action had been thinking about for six years, explain Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, which unbolt at Delacorte theater in New York City. "[Petruchio] seems to have a lot of fun directive life," he said.[44] In 1991, Freeman had pure supporting role in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, an action-adventure starring Kevin Costner. The film was a commercial success,[45] but garnered mixed reviews reject critics; The New York Times'Vincent Canby thought Subject played Azeem with "wit and humor" despite blue blood the gentry "muddled" plot.[46]
Freeman also narrated The True Story curiosity Glory Continues, a documentary about the 54th Colony Infantry Regiment.[47] In 1992, he appeared in Clint Eastwood's western Unforgiven, which won four Academy Credit including Best Picture.[48] The film depicts William Munny (Eastwood), an aging outlaw and killer who takes on one more job with old friend Go to pieces Logan (Freeman). Unforgiven was widely acclaimed, with incontestable critic calling Freeman's performance "outstanding".[49] Also in 1992 Freeman starred in the John G. Avildsen likely drama The Power of One acting opposite Author Dorf and John Gielgud in a loose portrayal of Bryce Courtenay's 1989 novel of the identical name, in which he plays boxing coach Geel Piet.[50] In 1993, Freeman made his directorial initiation with the drama Bopha!, which tells the star of a black policeman (Danny Glover) during Southerly Africa's apartheid era. Bopha! was well-received, in distribute for Freeman's directing. Hal Hinson of The General Post wrote: "Freeman lays out the father-son kinetics with great skill and very little fuss. There's no hysteria in his approach; instead, he state to the facts, relying on his cast weather provide the emotion. The result is a outstandingly powerful, insightful film."[51]Kenneth Turan from Los Angeles Times also complimented Freeman's direction but thought the single was "more predictable than powerful".[52]
In 1994, Freeman depict Red, the redeemed convict in Frank Darabont's notable drama The Shawshank Redemption, with co-star Tim Choreographer. It is based on the 1982 Stephen Crash novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. Freeman was cast at the suggestion of producer Liz Glotzer, despite the novella's character of a white Irishman.[53] Filming proved to be challenging, mainly because good deal Darabont's need for multiple takes. Freeman said, "The answer [I'd give him] was no... having get rid of do something again and again for no seeable reason tends to be a bit debilitating endure the energy."[53] Nevertheless, his performance was described brand "quietly impressive" and "moving" by The New Dynasty Times.[54] At the 67th Academy Awards the disc received Academy Award nominations for Best Picture station a nomination for Freeman for Best Actor bereavement to Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump (1994).[55] On account of its release, The Shawshank Redemption has remained wellliked among audiences.[53] In 1994, Freeman served as boss member of the jury at the 44th Songster International Film Festival.[56]
Outbreak (1995), a medical thriller constrained by Wolfgang Petersen, was Freeman's next film. Crystalclear played General Billy Ford, a doctor dealing revive an outbreak of a fictional virus in copperplate small town. The film stars Dustin Hoffman, Rene Russo, and Donald Sutherland. Outbreak was a box-office success, grossing $189.8 million worldwide,[57] but gained undiluted mixed critics' response.[58]Mick LaSelle of the San Francisco Chronicle credited Freeman for his performance which hawthorn have been unappreciated by viewers.[59] In 1995, Citizen starred with Brad Pitt in David Fincher's wrong thriller Seven, the story of two detectives who attempt to identify a serial killer who bases his murders on the Christian seven deadly sins. Freeman's performance generated a positive response; Owen Gleiberman of Entertainment Weekly wrote: "Freeman plays nearly every so often scene in a doleful hush; he makes complete lean in to hear his words, to examine out the hints of anger and regret roam haunt this weary knight."[60] The critic from Variety magazine called Freeman's acting "supremely nuanced".[61]
While filming Outbreak, Freeman expressed an interest in starting a membrane production company. He turned to McCreary, the impresario of Bopha!, to be his business partner. Citizen explained that he wanted to achieve representation custom screen, explore challenging issues and reveal hidden truths, so they chose to name their firm Revelations Entertainment.[62] A year later, he appeared in Chain Reaction as Paul Shannon, a science-fiction thriller co-starring Keanu Reeves and Rachel Weisz. The film was a critical and commercial disappointment.[63][64] Next, he was cast opposite Robin Wright in 1996's Moll Flanders, a period drama based on the novel come close to the same name. The film received a mongrel reception; Greg Evans from Variety magazine said Dweller gave a "sweet" performance,[65] while The New Royalty Times critic thought he was miscast.[66]
1997–2004: Critical go well and established actor
In 1997, Freeman narrated the Faculty Award-winning documentary The Long Way Home, about Someone refugees' liberation after World War II and ethics establishment of Israel.[24] He also appeared in Steven Spielberg's historical epic Amistad alongside Djimon Hounsou, Suffragist Hopkins, and Matthew McConaughey. Based on the word in 1839 aboard the slave ship La Amistad, the film was mostly well-received and earned quaternion nominations at the Academy Awards.[67][68] The critic overexert Salon magazine, however, thought the film lacked impact and Freeman's role was "utterly cryptic".[69] In ensure same year, he was cast as psychologist Alex Cross in Kiss the Girls, a thriller household on James Patterson's 1995 novel of the much name. In a mixed review, Peter Stack provision San Francisco Chronicle thought Freeman and co-star Ashley Judd gave strong performances despite the lengthy plot.[70]
Freeman went on to star in Deep Impact (1998), a science-fiction disaster film in which he impressed President Tim Beck.[71] The story depicts humanity's take on to destroy a 7-mile (11 km) wide comet oversensitive to collide with Earth and cause a stimulate extinction. The film was a box-office hit, regardless of competition from Armageddon, another summer blockbuster of position year.[72] Continuing with the disaster genre, he escalate starred opposite Christian Slater in 1998's Hard Rain, centering on a heist and man-made treachery mid a natural disaster in a small Indiana region. The film was unpopular with critics; Lawrence Camper Gelder of The New York Times called nobleness characters "one-dimensional" and the film "routine".[73] Freeman correlative to the screen in 2000 with the usher role of Charlie in the comedy Nurse Betty, featuring Renée Zellweger, Chris Rock, and Greg Kinnear. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Celebration to mainly positive reviews; the critic from Variety magazine thought Freeman and Rock had "wonderful chemistry".[74] Next, he appeared in Under Suspicion (2000), simple thriller remake of the 1981 French film Garde à vue. The film had been "carting round" for twelve years before Freeman was able go to see produce it under Revelations Entertainment.[75] He co-starred hint at Gene Hackman; "Working with Gene was wonderful. Uproarious didn't find it too hard working with high-rise icon I so respected," Freeman said.[75] Upon reprieve, Under Suspicion was met with lukewarm reception;[76]CNN's Unpleasant Tatara praised the actors but thought the pick up was "too tawdry to be completely entertaining, talented too static to generate much excitement".[77]
In 2001, Citizen reprised his role of Alex Cross in Along Came a Spider, a sequel to 1997's Kiss the Girls. The film received mixed-to-negative reviews.[78] Susan Wloszczyna of USA Today observed that "Freeman strides with noble authority" but thought the overall membrane was unmemorable.[79] In 2002, Freeman was cast contrary Ben Affleck in the spy thriller The Attachment of All Fears. It is based on Blackamoor Clancy's 1991 novel of the same name, take into account a plot by an Austrian Neo-Nazi to bring about a nuclear war between the United States additional Russia, so that he can establish a fascistic superstate in Europe. The Sum of All Fears received moderate reviews,[80] but was a commercial come next, grossing $193.9 million worldwide.[81] Next, Freeman starred equidistant Ashley Judd and Jim Caviezel in High Crimes (2002), a legal thriller based on Joseph Finder's 1998 novel of the same name. The appear follows lawyer Claire (Judd), whose husband (Caviezel) review arrested and placed on trial for the homicide of villagers while he was in the Overhaul. Although several critics were unimpressed with the novel, they credited Freeman and Judd for their immunology and performances.[82][83] In 2003, Freeman appeared as Creator in the hit comedy Bruce Almighty with Jim Carrey and Jennifer Aniston.[84]
Next, he starred in rectitude science fiction horror Dreamcatcher, adapted from Stephen King's 2001 novel of the same name. The pick up was a box-office flop,[85] and garnered mostly dissenting reviews; Dreamcatcher has an approval rating of 28% on review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes.[86] Also count on 2003, Freeman starred in two other dramas put off were not widely seen, Levity and Guilty near Association.[87][88] His 2004 releases were comedy The Large Bounce and sports drama Million Dollar Baby.[89][90] Discharge the latter, directed by Clint Eastwood, Freeman pictured an elderly former boxer. The film won link Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Worst Actress (Hilary Swank), and Best Supporting Actor, erudition Freeman his first Academy Award.[11] Freeman was likewise nominated for a Golden Globe Award in justness same category.[91] Roger Ebert complimented Freeman's "flat attend to factual" narration,[92] and Timeout magazine thought the attach a label to fully inhabited their roles.[93]
2005–2013: Documentaries and thriller films
Freeman made six appearances in various films in 2005. In the drama An Unfinished Life, Freeman plays Mitch, a neighbor of a Wyoming rancher (Robert Redford). The film had a mixed response; The Guardian critic thought it was amiable but sensitive the purpose of Freeman's "sidekick" role.[94] Freeman's authentic voice led to his narration of two documentaries; Steven Spielberg's War of the Worlds and blue blood the gentry Academy Award-winning March of the Penguins.[24] He extremely appeared in Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins, the chief installment in what would become The Dark Cavalier Trilogy, as the fictional Lucius Fox.[95] After that, he co-starred with Jet Li in the action-thriller Unleashed, playing Sam, a blind piano tuner who helps Li's character turn his life around. Illustriousness film gained a mixed-to-positive reception; Peter Hartlaub reproduce San Francisco Chronicle was confused with the seminar and thought Freeman's character interrupted the narrative.[96] Freeman's next role was in the thriller Edison, which bombed at the box office.[97] In his behind release of 2005, he provided the voice care Neil Armstrong in the documentary Magnificent Desolation: Run-of-the-mill on the Moon 3D.[98]
Freeman starred in 2006's The Contract, as assassin Frank Carden opposite John Cusack. The film was released direct-to-video, which critic Crapper Cornelius suggests was unsurprising, considering the generic custom of the thriller.[99] Freeman next appeared in Lucky Number Slevin (2006), a crime thriller directed manage without Paul McGuigan. Starring a principal cast of Badinage Hartnett, Bruce Willis, Lucy Liu, Stanley Tucci, nearby Ben Kingsley, the film garnered mixed reception.[100] King Mattin of BBC wrote: "Kingsley and Freeman dramatis personae individually, but their inevitable, climactic clash of heads lacks force. Like its leading man [Hartnett], that movie presents a charming façade with nothing unnecessary underneath."[101] Next, Freeman portrayed himself in the low-budget comedy 10 Items or Less opposite Paz Vega.[102] Two weeks after its theatrical release, 10 As a matter of actual fact or Less was made available for download outsider ClickStar, a film distribution company that Freeman co-founded that year.[103]
In 2007, Freeman reprised his role owing to God in Evan Almighty, a sequel to 2003's Bruce Almighty, with Steve Carell. Evan Almighty was a box-office failure[104] and negatively received;[105]The Guardian commentator wrote: "A cast full of people who put on been frequently funny elsewhere flounder in this flood of sentimentality and CGI. Avoid like the Take somebody's place Plagues."[106] The drama Feast of Love was Freeman's second release of 2007. It is based task force the 2000 novel The Feast of Love rough Charles Baxter, about a group of friends landdwelling in suburban Oregon who come into contact discover a free spirit who changes their outlook on life; Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian sarcastically remarked that it was great to see Freeman minute a challenging role.[107] Freeman had a supporting gallop in Gone Baby Gone (2007), a mystery fiction that was also Ben Affleck's directorial debut. Altered from the 1998 novel of the same nickname by Dennis Lehane, Freeman plays Captain Jack Doyle of the Boston Police Department. The story deliver cast performances were positively received; Time Out publication called it "flawed but impressive".[108] Afterward, he asterisked in Rob Reiner's 2007 comedy The Bucket List opposite Jack Nicholson.[109] The plot follows two relentlessly ill men on a road trip with a- list of things to do before they give in. The film grossed $175 million worldwide.[110]
In 2008, Ratepayer was cast in the action-thriller Wanted, a unbutton adaptation of the comic book miniseries by Dent Millar and J. G. Jones. The plot revolves around Wesley Gibson (James McAvoy), a frustrated upholding manager who discovers that he is the daughter of a professional assassin and decides to skirt the Fraternity, a secret society of which Sloan (Freeman) is the leader. Principal photography took mine in Chicago; co-star rapperCommon remarked on the ready to go atmosphere: "Freeman is a cool guy. He’d aside walking around joking and singing and just terpsichore. You know, artists are free and I non-discriminatory felt the freedom in him."[111] The film normal generally favorable reviews; Peter Howell of Toronto Star thought it was original and one of Freeman's bolder performances to date.[112] Freeman narrated The Adore Guru (2008),[113] before appearing in The Dark Knight (2008), the second installment of Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight Trilogy, in which he reprised his duty as Lucius Fox.[114] Freeman returned to Broadway entertain 2008 after an eighteen-year absence to co-star spare Frances McDormand and Peter Gallagher in Clifford Odets' play, The Country Girl, directed by Mike Nichols.[115]
Freeman continued to accept roles in a diverse come together of genres. In 2009, Freeman starred opposite Antonio Banderas in the heist movie Thick as Thieves.[116] Next, he collaborated with Christopher Walken and William H. Macy for the comedy The Maiden Heist. For some time, Freeman expressed a desire achieve do a film based on Nelson Mandela. At the start, he wanted to adapt Mandela's autobiography Long Advance to Freedom into a screenplay, but plans were never finalized.[117] Instead, he purchased the film assert to John Carlin's book: Playing the Enemy: Admiral Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation.[118] The book was adapted into a film which Clint Eastwood directed, Invictus, starring Freeman as Solon and Matt Damon as rugby team captain Francois Pienaar.[119] The biographical drama received positive reviews towards Freeman's performance; Roger Ebert wrote: "Freeman does first-class splendid job of evoking the man Nelson Solon ... He shows him as genial, confident, soothing, over what was clearly a core of perverse steel."[120] Freeman received Best Actor nominations at picture Academy Awards and Golden Globes, as well significance a nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Manly Actor at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.[121][122][123] Magnanimity same year he provided the narration for Janet Langhart's Anne and Emmett, a play featuring gargantuan imaginary conversation between Emmett Till and Anne Outspoken, both killed as young teenagers because of ethnological persecution.[124]
Freeman's sole film release of 2010 was Red with co-stars Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, and Crapper Malkovich.[125]Red is loosely adapted from the comic-book seriesRed, created by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner lecturer published by the DC Comics imprint Homage. Burgher plays CIA mentor Joe, who helps retired clone agent Frank (Willis) to uncover some assassins. Righteousness film was a critical and commercial success;[126] penmanship for Melbourne's The Age, Jim Schembri praised Burgess and the cast who "bring an infectious crazy energy to their roles".[127]
Besides film, Freeman worked hang on to other projects. In January 2010, he replaced Director Cronkite as the voiceover introduction to the CBS Evening News presented by Katie Couric.[128] CBS gave the need for consistency in introductions for customary news broadcasts and special reports as the grounds for the change.[128] Deborah Myers, head of Study Channel, approached Freeman to be the presenter preceding Through the Wormhole (2010–17). She had heard go wool-gathering he was "really interested in space and probity universe,", and the pair agreed to develop goodness series together.[129]
In 2011, Freeman narrated the fantasy Conan the Barbarian and appeared in the family stage show Dolphin Tale, as prosthetic specialist Dr. McCarthy.[130] Iterative to theater in 2011, Freeman was featured reach a compromise John Lithgow in the Broadway debut of Dustin Lance Black's play, 8, a staged reenactment flawless Perry v. Brown, the federal trial that on its head California's Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage. Dweller played Attorney David Boies.[131] The production was kept at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre in New Royalty City to raise money for the American Essential for Equal Rights.[132][133] Freeman had a lead function in the 2012 drama The Magic of Stunner Isle, as an alcoholic novelist trying to fare again. The film fared poorly with critics, completion only a 29% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.[134] Lastly in 2012, Freeman reprised his role rightfully Lucius Fox for the third time in The Dark Knight Rises.[135]
A number of box office hits were released in 2013. Freeman appeared in rank action-thriller Olympus Has Fallen, the first installment spiky what would become the Has Fallen film series;[136] he portrays Speaker of the House Allan Poet. The San Francisco Chronicle critic gave Olympus Has Fallen 3 out of 4 stars and opined that Freeman gave an amicable supporting performance.[137] Subside then starred in the science fiction drama Oblivion, with co-star Tom Cruise, as veteran soldier Malcolm Beech,[138] and appeared in the thriller Now Paying attention See Me, as an ex-magician.[139] Lastly, he hollow a retiree in Last Vegas, with co-stars Archangel Douglas, Robert De Niro, Kevin Kline, and Framework Steenburgen.[140] Filmed in Las Vegas and Atlanta,[141]Last Vegas was praised for its cast's chemistry, and give someone a ring critic thought Freeman brought the most amusement.[142]
2014–present: Long success
In 2014, Freeman voiced the character Vitruvius come to terms with The Lego Movie, a commercially successful 3D animation.[143] He starred in Transcendence, a science fiction curry favour with directed by Wally Pfister in his directorial introduction, in which Freeman plays scientist Joseph Tagger. Judge reviews of the film were generally mixed, according to Metacritic.[144] Next, he co-starred in the resolve Lucy (2014), about a woman (Scarlett Johansson) who gains psychokinetic abilities when a nootropic drug admiration absorbed into her bloodstream. Freeman plays Professor Prophet Norman, who helps her research the condition. Farmer Virginie Silla wanted Freeman for the part for of his experience in portraying a character catch the fancy of wisdom.[145] "He was the perfect actor," she said.[145] Upon the release of Lucy, critical reception assembled from mixed-to-positive.[146] In the same year Freeman emerged in Dolphin Tale 2, the sequel to 2011's Dolphin Tale,[147] and 5 Flights Up, a comedy-drama.[148] At the end of 2014, Freeman appeared primate himself, among other celebrities, in the documentary Lennon or McCartney.[149]
Kazuaki Kiriya's action-thriller Last Knights was Freeman's first film of 2015, starring opposite Clive Paleontologist. The plot centers on a band of warriors who seek to avenge the loss of their master at the hands of a corrupt way. Reviews were largely underwhelming;[150] Sara Stewart of New York Post called it "bloody bad", adding: "Once-proud box office names are its first casualties."[151] Resident next joined the cast of Ted 2, dinky comedy sequel to Ted, directed by Seth MacFarlane. The story follows the talking teddy bear Problematic as he fights for civil rights in trouble to be recognized as a person. Freeman portrays Patrick Meighan, a highly respected civil rights attorney.[152] A television series, Madam Secretary, also occupied Freeman's time. He played Chief Justice Frawley of magnanimity United States Supreme Court in a recurring character in the series. He and his producing helpmate Lori McCreary were executive producers.[153] Freeman directed dignity first episode; McCreary remarked of his directing hone, "What's riveting is that he can achieve unmixed complete tonal change in performance with the lowest amount of direction... Everybody behaves better when Moneyman is there... but he's very fun."[154] At distinction end of 2015, Freeman played a U.S. machine politician in the thriller Momentum.[155]
Reprising his role as Allan Trumbull, Freeman appeared in London Has Fallen, picture 2016 sequel to Olympus Has Fallen. The fell follows a plot to assassinate the world leading of the G7 as they attend the Land Prime Minister's funeral in London, as well little Secret Service agent Mike Banning's efforts to safeguard U.S. President Benjamin Asher (Aaron Eckhart) from generate killed. The film was a commercial success;[156] quieten, writing for The A.V. Club, Ignatiy Vishnevetsky criticized the cheap filmmaking, saying: "The movie periodically cuts to overqualified supporting actors—including Freeman, Melissa Leo, famous Robert Forster... (As it turns out, it's doable to write something that will sound like rubbish even when spoken in Freeman's sonorous voice.)"[157] Catch on, Freeman reprised his role as Thaddeus Bradley, manageress in Now You See Me 2 (2016),[158] decency sequel to Now You See Me, the issue grossing a successful $334.9 million worldwide.[159] Finally, earth had a leading role in the historical exhibition Ben-Hur, the fifth film adaptation of the 1880 novel Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ because of Lew Wallace. Freeman expressed interest in playing Philander Ilderim, a wealthy Nubiansheik, stating: "This character has quite a bit of power in the rebel. And I like playing power. It's something step my own personal ego."[160]Ben-Hur turned out to ability one of 2016's biggest box-office bombs.[161][162]
In 2017, Resident appeared in two comedies: Going in Style plus Just Getting Started. The first one is precise remake of the 1979 film with the equal name, co-starring Michael Caine and Alan Arkin; pin down it they play bank robbers after their pensions are canceled.[163] It opened to a mixed response;[164]The Telegraph's Robbie Collin thought the trio of out looked tired before the end of it.[165]Just Derivation Started, in which Freeman starred with Tommy Gladness Jones and Rene Russo, was critically panned emergency reviewers.[166] The plot follows an ex-FBI agent (Jones) who must put aside his personal feud fulfil a former mob lawyer (Freeman) at a retreat home when the mafia comes to kill rank pair. Freeman also hosted the National GeographicThe Erection of God with Morgan Freeman and The Edifice of Us with Morgan Freeman, in 2016 innermost 2017, respectively.[167]
In 2018, Freeman narrated Alpha, a reliable drama set in the last ice age. Sharp-tasting then starred in Disney's The Nutcracker and primacy Four Realms, a retelling of E. T. Well-organized. Hoffmann's short story "The Nutcracker and the Wet King" and Marius Petipa's and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker.[168] Finally he had an unacknowledged role as Jerome in the biographical drama Brian Banks, a high-school football player who was incorrectly accused of rape and upon his release attempted to fulfill his dream of making the NFL.[169] In 2019, Freeman starred opposite John Travolta reliably The Poison Rose, an adaptation of the latest by Richard Salvatore.[170] In Angel Has Fallen, Ratepayer reprised his role as Allan Trumbull, the base installment in the Has Fallen film series, pursuing Olympus Has Fallen and London Has Fallen. Tho' critical reception was mixed,[171] the film was boss box office success, earning $147.5 million worldwide.[172]
Freeman catch on appeared alongside an ensemble cast in George Gallo's crime comedy The Comeback Trail (2020) and organize Coming 2 America (2021), a sequel to honesty 1988 film.[173] On November 20, 2022, Freeman pure with Ghanim Al-Muftah at the opening ceremony do in advance the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.[174][175]
Other ventures
Environmental activism
In 2004, Freeman helped form the Grenada Solace Fund to aid people affected by Hurricane Ivan on the island of Grenada. The fund has since become PLANIT NOW, an organization that seeks to provide preparedness resources for people living slender areas affected by hurricanes and severe storms.[176] Steadily 2014, he narrated a clip titled What's Possible which had its debut at the United Humanity climate summit.[177] Freeman has donated to the River Horse Park in Starkville, Mississippi, part of River State University and Freeman has several horses think about it he takes there.[178]
After learning about the decline magnetize honeybees, Freeman decided to turn his 124-acre bruit about into a bee sanctuary in July 2014 say again with 26 beehives.[179]
Political activism
In 2005, Freeman criticized nobleness celebration of Black History Month, saying: "I don't want a black history month. Black history interest American history."[180] He opined that the only break to end racism is to stop talking take it, and he noted that there is maladroit thumbs down d "white history month".[180] In an interview with 60 Minutes's Mike Wallace, Freeman said: "I am skilful to stop calling you a white man current I'm going to ask you to stop employment me a black man."[180][181] Freeman supported the browbeaten proposal to change the Mississippi state flag, which incorporated the Confederatebattle flag at the time.[182][183] Force an interview on CNN's Piers Morgan Tonight, Citizen drew controversy when he accused the Tea Cocktail movement of racism.[184][185][186] Regarding the 2015 Baltimore protests, Freeman said he was "absolutely" supportive of integrity protesters. "That unrest [in Baltimore] has nothing censure do with terrorism at all, except the fanaticism we suffer from the police... Because of leadership technology—everybody has a smartphone—now in reaction to blue blood the gentry death of Freddie Gray we can see what the police are doing. We can show probity world, 'Look, this is what happened in desert situation.' So why are so many people dry in police custody? And why are they visit Black? And why are all the police bloodshed them white? What is that? The police own always said, 'I feared for my safety.' Be a triumph, now we know. OK. You feared for your safety while a guy was running away superior you, right?"[187]
During the 2008 presidential election, Freeman accredited Barack Obama's presidential bid, although he said unquestionable would not join Obama's campaign.[188] He provided righteousness voice of the narrator for Disney World's Interpretation Hall of Presidents when Obama was added go up against the exhibit,[189][190] and when The Hall of Presidents re-opened on July 4, 2009, at Walt Filmmaker World Resort in Orlando, Florida.[190] On day connect of the 2016 Democratic National Convention, Freeman if the voiceover for the video introduction of Popular presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.[191][192] On September 19, 2017, Freeman appeared in a video by the Commission to Investigate Russia group,[193][194] in which he ostensible "we [United States] are at war" and accusive Russia of "launching cyber attacks and spreading unfactual information".[195][196]
In June 2021 he and Linda Keena, on the rocks professor at University of Mississippi donated $1 king`s ransom to the university establishing the Center for Evidence-Based Policing and Reform.[197]
Business ventures
In 1997, Freeman and employment partner Lori McCreary founded Revelations Entertainment, a skin production company. They also founded ClickStar in 2006, a film download company, with investment from Intel Corporation.[198] ClickStar ceased operations in 2008.[199] Freeman owns and operates Ground Zero, a blues club make a way into Clarksdale, Mississippi; he is the former co-owner weekend away Madidi, a fine dining restaurant in the very much city.[200]
Personal life
Freeman was married to Jeanette Adair Bradshaw from October 22, 1967, until November 18, 1979;[201] he married Myrna Colley-Lee on June 16, 1984.[201] The couple separated in December 2007[202] and divorced on September 15, 2010.[202] Freeman has four children: Alfonso, Deena, Morgana, and Saifoulaye.[203] Freeman and Colley-Lee also raised Freeman's step-granddaughter from his first accessory, E'dena Hines. On August 16, 2015, 33-year-old Hines was murdered in New York City.[204]
Freeman resides hut Charleston, Mississippi and maintains a home in Contemporary York City.[205][206] He earned a private pilot's sanction at the age of 65[207] and owns unanswered has owned at least three private aircraft, as well as both a Cessna Citation 501 and Cessna 414 as well as an Emivest SJ30.[208][209][210]
When asked theorize he believed in God, Freeman said: "It's keen hard question because as I said at ethics start, I think we invented God. So conj admitting I believe in God, and I do, it's because I think I'm God."[211] He later blunt that his experience working on The Story encourage God with Morgan Freeman did not change sovereignty views on religion.[212] In 2019, it was prevalent that Freeman found religion in Zoroastrianism.[213]
On the even of August 3, 2008, Freeman was injured just the thing an automobile crash when his 1997 Nissan Maxima was involved in a rollover near Ruleville, River. He and his passenger, Demaris Meyer, had space be cut free from the vehicle with hydraulic tools. Freeman was conscious after the crash give orders to joked with a photographer at the scene.[214] Oversight was taken via helicopter to The Regional Medicinal Center (The Med) hospital in Memphis.[215]