Portrait · JCS / CC BY 3.0

Morgan Freeman

Actor, narrator and producer

Born 1937

Morgan Freeman is an American actor born in Memphis, Tennessee, whose screen work spans drama, comedy and documentary narration. He pursued theatre and dance after serving in the Air Force, developing his craft before film audiences knew his name. The Electric Company introduced him to television viewers as Easy Reader, while stage work included The Mighty Gents. Street Smart marked a film breakthrough, followed by the contrasting worlds of Driving Miss Daisy and Glory. His later films include The Shawshank Redemption, Seven, Amistad and the Batman trilogy, in which he played Lucius Fox. His supporting performance in Million Dollar Baby earned an Academy Award in 2005. Invictus brought him together again with Clint Eastwood, this time to portray Nelson Mandela. He also moved behind the camera with Bopha!, describing the lessons he had absorbed from Eastwood on Unforgiven. With Lori McCreary, he co-founded Revelations Entertainment; his television work includes hosting and executive producing documentary series. His narration of Born to Be Wild is part of a wider connection to stories about wildlife and conservation. In A Good Person, he played Daniel opposite Florence Pugh under Zach Braff’s direction. He returned to the ensemble of Now You See Me: Now You Don’t. More recent narration includes Netflix’s The Dinosaurs, continuing his work on ambitious natural-history documentaries. He has also brought his voice to Morgan Freeman’s Symphonic Blues Experience, combining spoken narration with orchestral blues performances. In a recent interview about that project, he discussed his long connection to the Ground Zero Blues Club and his enthusiasm for Frank Sinatra and Al Green. He is also an executive producer of The Gray House, a historical spy drama released on Prime Video in 2026.

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Connected people

ConnectionClint EastwoodDirector of Unforgiven, Million Dollar Baby and Invictus; Freeman described a lasting artistic friendship.

ConnectionLori McCrearyCo-founder of Revelations Entertainment.

ConnectionFlorence PughCo-star in A Good Person.

Official records · wins and honours

Awards & Honours

Selected recognition linked to the awarding organisation or primary record.

2018
SAG-AFTRAIndustry honor
Life Achievement Award
Morgan Freeman
Official record
2011
AFIIndustry honor
Life Achievement Award
Morgan Freeman
Official record
2005
Academy AwardsCompetitive win
Actor in a Supporting Role
Million Dollar Baby
Official record
1990
Golden GlobesCompetitive win
Actor — Musical or Comedy
Driving Miss Daisy
Official record
1978
Drama DeskCompetitive win
Outstanding Actor in a Play
The Mighty Gents
Official record

Life Achievement Award

Life Achievement Award

Actor in a Supporting Role

Actor — Musical or Comedy

Outstanding Actor in a Play