Morgan Freeman is one of the most recognizable voices and faces in the entertainment industry. He is an American actor, film director, and narrator who has captivated audiences around the world for over 20 years. In this article, we will take a closer look at the life and career of this iconic celebrity, with a particular focus on his impressive net worth.
Early Life of Morgan Freeman
Morgan Freeman was born on June 1, 1937, in Memphis, Tennessee. He is the youngest of five children and was raised by his maternal grandmother in Charleston, Mississippi, after his parents moved to Chicago. His grandmother passed away when he was six years old, and he went to Chicago to live with his mother, who had separated from Freeman’s father.
Despite his difficult childhood, Freeman found his passion for acting at the age of nine when he starred in a school play. After graduating from Broad Street High School in 1955, he joined the United States Air Force. Once he was discharged, Freeman moved to Los Angeles and started taking acting lessons at the Pasadena Playhouse. To make ends meet, he worked as a transcript clerk at Los Angeles City College and as a dancer and member of a musical theatre group in New York and San Francisco.
Morgan Freeman’s Career
In the mid-1960s, Freeman appeared in an off-Broadway production titled The Niggerlovers and later with Pearl Bailey in an all-African-American Broadway production of Hello, Dolly! in 1968. He made his first film appearance in Who Says I Can’t Ride a Rainbow! in 1971. Freeman became a familiar face in America through his work on the soap opera Another World and on The Electric Company, a PBS kids’ show.
In 1980, Freeman received the Obie Award for his starring role in Coriolanus. He won another Obie in 1984 for The Gospel at Colonus and then again in 1989 for his leading role in Driving Miss Daisy. In the latter case, Freeman would later star in the film adaptation of the play.
In the late ’80s and early ’90s, Freeman began playing prominent roles in big-budget films. He starred in the 1987 film Street Smart as Fast Black, earning him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. In 1994, Freeman played Red in The Shawshank Redemption, which became a classic movie and propelled him to A-list fame. Freeman went on to act in several other noteworthy films, such as Seven, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Deep Impact, and Unforgiven.
In 2005, Freeman won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his work in Clint Eastwood’s Million Dollar Baby at the 77th Academy Awards. Additionally, he played the role of God in the blockbuster film Bruce Almighty following year. Later, Freeman appeared in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight Trilogy–Batman Begins in 2005, which he would also do in the sequels.
Freeman continued to act throughout the 2010s. He played Nelson Mandela in Invictus, which earned him another Academy Award nomination for Best Actor in 2009. He also starred in the films Olympus has Fallen and Oblivion. Freeman made his directing debut with Paramount Pictures’ Bopha! In 1993 and later directed three episodes of Madam Secretary.
Morgan Freeman’s Net Worth
Morgan Freeman is currently worth an astounding $250 million dollars. He has a long and successful career as an actor, film director, and narrator. Freeman’s net worth could have been higher if not for his costly $100-$200 million divorce settlement with his ex-wife in 2010.
Personal Life
Freeman was married to Jeanette Adair Bradshaw from 1967 to 1979 and then married Myrna Colley-Lee in 1984. They finalized their divorce in 2010, which required Freeman to pay his ex-wife $100-$200 million. He has four children.
In 2008, Freeman was in a car accident in Mississippi that left him with injuries and his female passenger suing him for negligence.
In 2015, Freeman’s stepdaughter from his first marriage was tragically killed in New York City.
In terms of charity work, Freeman was involved in relief efforts for Hurricane Katrina victims and formed the Grenada Relief Fund for Hurricane Ivan. Recently, he converted his 124-acre farm in Mississippi into a bee sanctuary.
Conclusion
Morgan Freeman is one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood, with a career spanning over 50 years. He has received numerous awards and accolades for his work in film, theatre, and television. Freeman’s current net worth of $250 million is a testament to his talent and success. Though he has faced challenges in his personal and professional life, Freeman continues to inspire fans around the globe.
