Morgan Freeman is regarded as one of the most well-respected actors in Hollywood.
He rose to prominence in the 1970s for his role in the children’s television series, The Electric Company and is now an actor, director, and narrator.
His stellar career spans more than five decades and he has now become known for his various roles in a wide range of films.
Appearing in films like The Shawshank Redemption, Seven and Unforgiven, the acclaimed star had no problem cementing himself as one of the greatest.
To celebrate the legend’s 85th birthday, Daily Star has looked inside his life, from his brief stint in jail to his never-ending line of charity work.
Jail time
(Image: A&E)
Morgan Freeman has impressive form when it comes to prison, most notably because of his role in the acclaimed prison drama The Shawshank Redemption.
More recently, the actor stepped behind bars and brought to life the most incredible real-life prison breaks in his prison show, Great Escapes – released in 2021.
Before becoming an expert in the prison field on screen, you’d be surprised to learn that the actor spent time in jail himself.
In 1955, Freeman enlisted in the Air Force where he trained to be an automatic tracking radar repairman.
While serving, the Million Dollar Baby star and his friend were hitchhiking to Los Angeles when they were stopped by police on the freeway.
When police asked them both for ID, Freeman was able to give his but quickly realised his friend had left his Class-A pass back at their base.
While their stories were being verified, the pair spent four days in jail, despite Freeman being given the option to travel by himself.
Charity work
(Image: AFP/Getty Images)
The legendary actor has been an active philanthropist for several years, throwing his support behind many worldwide charities and humanitarian causes.
The Academy Award winner has established several foundations, including the Tallahatchie River Foundation which is committed to quality early childhood education in the state of Mississippi.
The Grenada Relief Fund renamed Plan!t in 2007, was also co-founded by the Glory actor.
(Image: Getty Images for the Critics Choice Association)
The charity was set up to provide support and funds to those who were affected by natural disasters, including Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana and Hurricane Ivan in Grenada.
Showing his affection for animals, Freeman has regularly donated funds to support the Mississippi Animal Rescue League.
The funds went towards creating a new research area at the Mississippi State College of Veterinary Medicine, which was named the Morgan Freeman Equine Reproduction Research Unit.
The 85-year-old has previously stated that he doesn’t view his efforts as a charity, but rather as something that he must do.
Box office ‘flop’
Anyone familiar with Morgan Freeman will remember him from a 1994 movie called The Shawshank Redemption.
In what is often considered the greatest movie of all time, Freeman plays Ellis Boyd “Red” Redding – an inmate at Shawshank prison.
Alongside playing one of the main roles, he became remembered for his soulful narration of the film – which happened to be the first one he ever narrated.
(Image: ITV / Rex Features)
The Shawshank Redemption holds the highest IMDb rating and has sat at the top of IMDb’s Top 250 films for over 25 years.
Surprisingly enough, however, the film was considered a box office flop upon its release in 1994.
The film initially earned $16million (£12.7m) in its first theatrical run, a number completely overshadowed by its $25m (£19.8m) budget.
Many believed that because of the film’s vague title, no one could accurately recommend it.
(Image: Getty Images)
Speaking to Vanity Fair in 2014, Freeman said: “Nobody could say Shawshank Redemption. Your friends say, ‘Ah, man, I saw this movie, The… what was it? Shank, Sham, Shim? Something like that. Anyways, terrific.’ Well, that doesn’t sell you.”
Despite this, it received stellar ratings and has even been crowned the “best film ever made” through publications like LADBible.
In 2020, the Now You See Me star tweeted: “It has been 26 years since #ShawshankRedemption came out in theatres and I’m still thankful to everyone who made our box office flop one of the most beloved movies of all time.”
Family
In 1959, the Oscar winner was in a relationship with Loletha Adkins and she gave birth to Freeman’s first child, Alfonso, but it was reported the pair split sometime after his birth.
The Golden Globe-winning star became a father for the second time in 1960, welcoming another son named Saifoulaye.
Details about Saifoulaye’s mother have never been revealed and he has chosen a life out of the spotlight.
(Image: PA)
Freeman’s first big break came in 1967 when he joined the cast in the first all-African American stage production of Hello, Dolly!, and the same year, he married Jeanette Adair Bradshaw who he remained with until 1979.
During their marriage, the pair welcomed a daughter, Morgana and Freeman also adopted Jeanette’s oldest daughter, Deena.
In 1984, the actor married costume designer Myrna Colley-Lee and they later adopted his step-granddaughter E’dena who they raised together.
The couple were married for over three decades but finalised their divorce in 2010.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
