XMorgan Freeman, a renowned American actor, director, and narrator, has accumulated an impressive net worth of $250 million. He has been a dominant force in Hollywood for more than two decades, known for his unique voice and powerful performances. However, his net worth could have been significantly higher if not for a costly divorce settlement in 2010, which reportedly required him to pay between $100 million to $200 million to his ex-wife.
Early Beginnings and First Steps in Acting
Born on June 1, 1937, in Memphis, Tennessee, Morgan Freeman was the youngest among five siblings. His parents, Mayme Edna and Morgan Porterfield Freeman, moved to Chicago in search of employment soon after his birth. While they were away, Freeman stayed with his maternal grandmother in Charleston, Mississippi. After her passing, when Freeman was six, he moved to Chicago to live with his mother, who had separated from his father. Eventually, they returned to Tennessee.
Freeman discovered his passion for acting at just nine years old when he took on a lead role in a school play. After completing his education at Broad Street High School in 1955, he joined the U.S. Air Force. Post-service, Freeman moved to Los Angeles, where he began studying acting at the Pasadena Playhouse while also working as a transcript clerk at Los Angeles City College. During this time, he traveled frequently to New York City and San Francisco, pursuing dancing and participating in musical theater groups.
Breakthrough in Theater and Television
In the mid-1960s, Freeman made his first significant theater appearance in an off-Broadway production called “The Niggerlovers.” By 1968, he was starring alongside Pearl Bailey in a Broadway production of “Hello, Dolly!” that featured an all-African-American cast. His film debut came in 1971 with “Who Says I Can’t Ride a Rainbow!” Around this period, Freeman became well-known for his role on the PBS children’s series “The Electric Company” and also worked on the soap opera “Another World.”
His theater career flourished in the following years. Freeman won his first Obie Award in 1980 for his role in “Coriolanus,” followed by another in 1984 for “The Gospel at Colonus.” In 1989, he received a third Obie Award for “Driving Miss Daisy,” a role he would later reprise in the film adaptation.
Film Success and Hollywood Stardom
Freeman’s breakthrough in cinema came in 1987 when he portrayed the character Fast Black in “Street Smart,” earning his first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. His performance opened the door to larger and more prominent roles in major films.
In 1994, Freeman gained international fame for playing Red in The Shawshank Redemption,” a role that remains one of his most iconic. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, he starred in high-profile films like “Se7en,” “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,” “Unforgiven,” and “Deep Impact.”
A significant milestone came in 2005 when Freeman won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Million Dollar Baby,” after having been nominated three times before. That same year, he played God in the blockbuster “Bruce Almighty,” a role he later reprised in “Evan Almighty.”
Continued Success and Major Projects
Freeman continued to be a fixture in big-budget films and collaborations with acclaimed directors. In 2005, he joined Christopher Nolan’s “Batman Begins” as Lucius Fox, a role he returned to in both sequels of the Dark Knight trilogy. His presence added gravitas to the series, and he became a fan favorite.
In 2007, Freeman starred alongside Jack Nicholson in “The Bucket List,” followed by a return to Broadway with “The Country Girl.” In 2009, he portrayed Nelson Mandela in “Invictus,” a performance that earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. He remained active in Hollywood, appearing in action films like “Olympus Has Fallen” and its sequels, as well as sci-fi movies like “Oblivion.”
His later work includes roles in “The Poison Rose” (2019), “The Comeback Trail” (2020), and “Coming 2 America” (2021). In 2022, Freeman took part in the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, showcasing his enduring global popularity.
Directorial Work and Narration
Although primarily an actor, Freeman has also ventured into directing. His directorial debut was “Bopha!” in 1993, a film produced by Paramount Pictures. Additionally, he directed a few episodes of “Madam Secretary,” but directing has remained a secondary focus in his career.
Freeman’s distinct voice has made him one of the most recognizable narrators in the entertainment world. He has lent his narration talents to several high-profile projects, including “March of the Penguins” (2005), “War of the Worlds” (2005), and “The Lego Movie” (2014). In 2010, he became the new voice for CBS Evening News intros, succeeding Walter Cronkite. He also hosted and narrated the science show “Through the Wormhole” and narrated Visa commercials until 2018. Most recently, he narrated Netflix’s “Our Universe” in 2022.
Personal Life and Challenges
Morgan Freeman has been married twice. His first marriage to Jeanette Adair Bradshaw lasted from 1967 to 1979. In 1984, he married Myrna Colley-Lee, but they divorced in 2010. Freeman has four children. Tragedy struck in 2015 when his step-granddaughter was murdered in New York City at the age of 33.
Freeman also survived a severe car accident in 2008 near Ruleville, Mississippi. His car rolled several times, causing him to suffer major injuries, including fractures in his left arm, elbow, and shoulder. Though alcohol was ruled out as a factor, his passenger, Demaris Meyer, later sued him for negligence, claiming he had been drinking before driving. The case was settled privately. Due to the lingering effects of the crash, Freeman still wears a compression glove to ease the pain from fibromyalgia.
In 2018, Freeman faced accusations of sexual harassment from eight women, with eight additional witnesses supporting the claims. Following the allegations, Freeman issued a public apology. Although there were calls to revoke his Screen Actors Guild Lifetime Achievement Award, it was ultimately decided he could keep the honor.
Philanthropy and Other Ventures
Apart from his film career, Freeman has contributed to various charitable efforts. He was active in relief operations following Hurricane Katrina and established the Grenada Relief Fund to aid those affected by Hurricane Ivan. A known environmental advocate, Freeman transformed his 124-acre Mississippi farm into a bee sanctuary in 2019 to support declining bee populations.
Freeman also owns and operates Ground Zero, a blues club in Clarksdale, Mississippi, contributing to the preservation of blues music and local culture. In addition to his Mississippi residence, he maintains a home in New York City.
