2025-05-12 2025-05-12

Morgan Freeman
  • Faith: Spirituality
  • Career: Actor
  • Birthday:  June 01, 1937

Morgan Freeman, born on June 1, 1937, in Memphis, Tennessee, is an acclaimed American actor, director, and narrator renowned for his deep, resonant voice and commanding screen presence. Over a career spanning more than five decades, Freeman has become one of Hollywood's most respected and beloved figures.

Morgan Freeman was the youngest of five children born to Mayme Edna, a schoolteacher, and Morgan Porterfield Freeman, a barber. Shortly after his birth, his parents relocated to Chicago in search of better opportunities, leaving young Morgan in the care of his maternal grandmother in Charleston, Mississippi. Following his grandmother's death when he was six, Freeman reunited with his mother, and the family moved frequently, residing in Greenwood, Mississippi; Gary, Indiana; and finally Chicago, Illinois.

Freeman's passion for acting ignited early; at nine, he played the lead in a school play. At 12, he won a statewide drama competition, further fueling his interest in the performing arts. After graduating from Broad Street High School in Greenwood in 1955, he turned down a drama scholarship to Jackson State University, opting instead to enlist in the U.S. Air Force, where he served as a radar technician.

After his military service, Freeman pursued acting in Los Angeles, studying at the Pasadena Playhouse and working as a dancer at the 1964 World's Fair. His early career included stage performances and television appearances, notably on the PBS children's show "The Electric Company" from 1971 to 1977

Freeman's film breakthrough came with "Street Smart" (1987), earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He gained further acclaim with roles in "Glory" (1989) and "Driving Miss Daisy" (1989), the latter earning him a Golden Globe Award and an Oscar nomination.

The 1990s solidified Freeman's status as a leading actor, with standout performances in "The Shawshank Redemption" (1994), "Se7en" (1995), and "Amistad" (1997). In 2005, he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "Million Dollar Baby." He also portrayed Lucius Fox in Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight" trilogy and God in "Bruce Almighty" (2003) and its sequel.

Beyond acting, Freeman co-founded Revelations Entertainment in 1996, aiming to produce films that reveal truth. He has also lent his distinctive voice to narrate documentaries like "March of the Penguins" (2005) and hosted the series "Through the Wormhole" (2010–2017).

Freeman has been married twice. His first marriage was to Jeanette Adair Bradshaw from 1967 to 1979. He then married Myrna Colley-Lee in 1984, and their marriage lasted until 2010.

He is a father to four children: sons Alfonso and Saifoulaye, and daughters Deena and Morgana. Alfonso, his eldest, followed in his father's footsteps, appearing in films like "The Shawshank Redemption."

In 2008, Freeman was involved in a serious car accident in Mississippi, resulting in multiple injuries. He underwent surgery and has since worn a compression glove to manage nerve damage in his left hand.

Morgan Freeman's Religious Beliefs

Morgan Freeman's exploration of global religions led him to a profound appreciation for Zoroastrianism. During the filming of National Geographic's "The Story of God," Freeman delved into various faiths, discovering that the core tenets of Zoroastrianism—good thoughts, good words, and good deeds—resonated deeply with him.

He observed that these principles are foundational to many major religions, stating, "The three tenets of Zoroastrianism [are] good thoughts, good words, and good deeds, which I think the preponderance of us strive for. So we are almost all believers of Zoroastrianism."

While Freeman does not formally practice Zoroastrianism, his engagement with its philosophies reflects his broader quest to understand and connect with diverse spiritual traditions.


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