Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Morgan Freeman
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Morgan Freeman made an impact.
Morgan Freeman is a highly acclaimed American actor, producer, and narrator with a career spanning six decades. He's won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe, and has been nominated for a Tony Award. His contributions to the arts have been recognized with prestigious honors such as the Kennedy Center Honor, the AFI Life Achievement Award, the Cecil B. DeMille Award, and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award. A 2022 poll by Empire named him one of the 50 greatest actors of all time.
1955: High School Graduation and Air Force Enlistment
In 1955, Morgan Freeman graduated high school and declined a drama scholarship to enlist in the United States Air Force.
1959: End of Air Force Service
In 1959, Morgan Freeman completed his service in the United States Air Force and subsequently moved to Los Angeles to pursue acting classes.
1964: Began prolific film career
In 1964, Morgan Freeman began his prolific film career.
1964: Dancer at the World's Fair
In 1964, Morgan Freeman worked as a dancer at the World's Fair.
1965: Extra in The Pawnbroker
In 1965, Morgan Freeman appeared as an extra in Sidney Lumet's drama film 'The Pawnbroker'.
1967: Off-Broadway Debut
In 1967, Morgan Freeman made his Off-Broadway debut in 'The Niggerlovers'.
1968: Broadway Debut in Hello, Dolly!
In 1968, Morgan Freeman debuted on Broadway in the all-black version of 'Hello, Dolly!'.
1969: Performed in The Dozens
In 1969, Morgan Freeman performed on stage in 'The Dozens'.
1971: Starred in The Electric Company and Who Says I Can't Ride a Rainbow!
In 1971, Morgan Freeman began starring in the PBS children's show 'The Electric Company' and also had his first credited film appearance in 'Who Says I Can't Ride a Rainbow!'. He also performed in a theater production of Purlie that year.
1975: Quit The Electric Company
In 1975, Morgan Freeman quit the PBS children's television show 'The Electric Company'.
1978: Return to Stage Productions
In 1978, Morgan Freeman returned to acting by appearing in the stage productions 'The Mighty Gents', for which he won a Drama Desk Award and Clarence Derwent Award, and 'White Pelicans'.
1978: Tony Award Nomination
In 1978, Morgan Freeman was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his role as Zeke in The Mighty Gents.
1979: Obie Award for Coriolanus
In 1979, Morgan Freeman earned an Obie Award for his theater role in Coriolanus.
1980: Obie Award for Mother Courage and Her Children
In 1980, Morgan Freeman earned an Obie Award for his theater role in Mother Courage and Her Children.
1980: Role in Brubaker and Attica
In 1980, Morgan Freeman had a small role in the drama 'Brubaker' and appeared in the television film 'Attica', about the 1971 prison riot.
1980: Obie Award for Coriolanus
In 1980, Morgan Freeman received the Obie Award for his role in the Shakespearean tragedy 'Coriolanus'.
1982: Cast Member of Another World
From 1982, Morgan Freeman was a cast member of the soap opera 'Another World'.
1984: Cast Member of Another World
Until 1984, Morgan Freeman was a cast member of the soap opera 'Another World'.
1985: Starred in Marie
In 1985, Morgan Freeman starred in 'Marie', a film adaptation of a true story, portraying Charles Traughber. He also appeared in 'The Atlanta Child Murders'.
1987: Street Smart and Academy Award Nomination
In 1987, Morgan Freeman played a violent street hustler in 'Street Smart', which earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He also starred in 'Clean and Sober'.
1987: Oscar Nomination for Street Smart
In 1987, Morgan Freeman received an Oscar nomination for his role in 'Street Smart'.
1989: Film Releases: Glory and Driving Miss Daisy
In 1989, Morgan Freeman starred in 'Glory' as Sergeant Major John Rawlins, and in 'Driving Miss Daisy', reprising his role as Hoke Colburn. 'Driving Miss Daisy' earned him a Best Actor nomination.
1989: Releases of Lean on Me and Johnny Handsome
In 1989, Morgan Freeman starred in 'Lean on Me' and 'Johnny Handsome'.
1989: Oscar Nomination for Driving Miss Daisy
In 1989, Morgan Freeman was nominated for an Oscar for his role in 'Driving Miss Daisy'. He also acted in 'Glory' and 'Lean on Me'.
1989: Won Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in Driving Miss Daisy
In 1989, Morgan Freeman won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in "Driving Miss Daisy".
1991: Acted in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
In 1991, Morgan Freeman acted in 'Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves'.
1992: Starred in Unforgiven and The Power of One
In 1992, Morgan Freeman appeared in Clint Eastwood's 'Unforgiven' and starred in 'The Power of One', playing boxing coach Geel Piet.
1993: Directorial Debut with Bopha!
In 1993, Morgan Freeman made his directorial debut with the drama 'Bopha!', a story set during South Africa's apartheid era.
1993: Directed Bopha!
In 1993, Morgan Freeman made his directorial debut with the drama 'Bopha!'.
1994: Oscar Nomination for The Shawshank Redemption
In 1994, Morgan Freeman received an Oscar nomination for his performance in 'The Shawshank Redemption'.
1994: The Shawshank Redemption Release and Berlin Film Festival Jury Duty
In 1994, Morgan Freeman starred as Red in "The Shawshank Redemption", a role he secured at the suggestion of producer Liz Glotzer. The film received Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Freeman, though he lost to Tom Hanks in "Forrest Gump". In 1994, Freeman also served on the jury at the 44th Berlin International Film Festival.
1995: Starring in Outbreak and Seven
In 1995, Morgan Freeman starred in "Outbreak", a medical thriller where he played General Billy Ford, and also in David Fincher's crime thriller "Seven" with Brad Pitt, where he played a detective.
1996: Starring in Chain Reaction and Moll Flanders
In 1996, Morgan Freeman appeared in the science-fiction thriller "Chain Reaction" and also starred in "Moll Flanders", a period drama based on the novel of the same name, alongside Robin Wright.
1996: Founded Revelations Entertainment
In 1996, Morgan Freeman co-founded the film production company Revelations Entertainment with Lori McCreary.
1997: Founded Revelations Entertainment
In 1997, Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary founded Revelations Entertainment, a film production company.
1997: Narrating The Long Way Home and starring in Amistad and Kiss the Girls
In 1997, Morgan Freeman narrated the Academy Award-winning documentary "The Long Way Home". He also appeared in Steven Spielberg's historical epic "Amistad". In the same year, he starred as psychologist Alex Cross in "Kiss the Girls", based on James Patterson's novel.
1997: Narrated The Long Way Home
In 1997, Morgan Freeman narrated the documentary 'The Long Way Home'.
1997: Starring in Kiss the Girls
In 1997, Morgan Freeman starred in Kiss the Girls.
1998: Acted in Deep Impact
In 1998, Morgan Freeman acted in 'Deep Impact'.
1998: Starring in Deep Impact and Hard Rain
In 1998, Morgan Freeman starred in "Deep Impact", playing President Tim Beck, and also in "Hard Rain" opposite Christian Slater.
2000: Starring in Nurse Betty and Under Suspicion
In 2000, Morgan Freeman starred in the comedy "Nurse Betty" and the thriller "Under Suspicion", a remake of the 1981 French film Garde à vue, which he produced under Revelations Entertainment.
2001: Starring in Along Came a Spider
In 2001, Morgan Freeman reprised his role as Alex Cross in "Along Came a Spider", a sequel to 1997's "Kiss the Girls".
2002: Starring in The Sum of All Fears and High Crimes
In 2002, Morgan Freeman starred opposite Ben Affleck in "The Sum of All Fears", based on Tom Clancy's 1991 novel. He also starred in "High Crimes" alongside Ashley Judd and Jim Caviezel.
2003: Appearing as God in Bruce Almighty
In 2003, Morgan Freeman appeared as God in the hit comedy "Bruce Almighty" with Jim Carrey and Jennifer Aniston.
2003: Starring in Dreamcatcher, Levity, and Guilty by Association
In 2003, Morgan Freeman starred in the science fiction horror film "Dreamcatcher", adapted from Stephen King's novel. He also appeared in two other dramas, "Levity" and "Guilty by Association".
2004: Formation of the Grenada Relief Fund
In 2004, Morgan Freeman helped form the Grenada Relief Fund to aid people affected by Hurricane Ivan on the island of Grenada. The fund later became PLANIT NOW.
2004: Releases of The Big Bounce and Million Dollar Baby
In 2004, Morgan Freeman starred in the comedy "The Big Bounce" and the sports drama "Million Dollar Baby". He won his first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "Million Dollar Baby".
2004: Won Screen Actors Guild Award for Million Dollar Baby
In 2004, Morgan Freeman won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role in "Million Dollar Baby".
2004: Academy Award for Million Dollar Baby
In 2004, Morgan Freeman won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Clint Eastwood's 'Million Dollar Baby'.
2005: Multiple Film Appearances
In 2005, Morgan Freeman appeared in six films, including "An Unfinished Life", where he played Mitch, Steven Spielberg's "War of the Worlds" (narration), "March of the Penguins" (narration), Christopher Nolan's "Batman Begins" as Lucius Fox, "Unleashed" with Jet Li, "Edison", and provided the voice of Neil Armstrong in "Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D".
2005: Narrated March of the Penguins
In 2005, Morgan Freeman narrated the documentary 'March of the Penguins'.
2005: Acted in Batman Begins
In 2005, Morgan Freeman played Lucius Fox in 'Batman Begins', the first film in Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy.
May 13, 2006: Received honorary degree from Delta State University
On May 13, 2006, Morgan Freeman received an honorary Doctor of Arts and Letters degree from Delta State University during the school's commencement exercises.
October 28, 2006: Honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award
On October 28, 2006, Morgan Freeman was honored at the first Mississippi's Best Awards with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in film and theater.
2006: Founded ClickStar
In 2006, Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary founded ClickStar, a film download company, with investment from Intel Corporation.
2006: Starring in The Contract and Lucky Number Slevin
In 2006, Morgan Freeman starred in "The Contract" opposite John Cusack and in "Lucky Number Slevin" with Josh Hartnett, Bruce Willis, and Lucy Liu. He also appeared as himself in "10 Items or Less".
2007: Acted in Gone Baby Gone and The Bucket List
In 2007, Morgan Freeman appeared in 'Gone Baby Gone' and 'The Bucket List'.
2007: Reprising Role in Evan Almighty and starring in Feast of Love, Gone Baby Gone and The Bucket List
In 2007, Morgan Freeman reprised his role as God in "Evan Almighty", a sequel to 2003's "Bruce Almighty". He also starred in "Feast of Love", "Gone Baby Gone", and "The Bucket List" opposite Jack Nicholson.
2008: ClickStar Ceased Operations
In 2008, ClickStar, the film download company founded by Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary, ceased operations.
2008: Acted in Wanted
In 2008, Morgan Freeman acted in the action film 'Wanted'.
2008: Starring in Wanted, Narrating The Love Guru, Appearing in The Dark Knight and The Country Girl
In 2008, Morgan Freeman starred in "Wanted", narrated "The Love Guru", reprised his role as Lucius Fox in "The Dark Knight", and returned to Broadway in "The Country Girl" with Frances McDormand and Peter Gallagher.
2008: Kennedy Center Honoree
In 2008, Morgan Freeman was chosen as a Kennedy Center Honoree at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington D.C.
2008: Endorsed Barack Obama
In 2008, during the presidential election, Morgan Freeman endorsed Barack Obama's presidential bid but did not join the campaign.
July 4, 2009: The Hall of Presidents re-opened
On July 4, 2009, The Hall of Presidents re-opened at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, with Morgan Freeman as the narrator after Obama was added to the exhibit.
2009: Starring in Thick as Thieves and Invictus
In 2009, Morgan Freeman starred in "Thick as Thieves" with Antonio Banderas. He also starred as Nelson Mandela in "Invictus", a biographical drama directed by Clint Eastwood, which received positive reviews. His performance earned him Best Actor nominations at the Academy Awards and Golden Globes, as well as a nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2009.
2009: Oscar Nomination for Invictus
In 2009, Morgan Freeman was nominated for an Oscar for his role in 'Invictus'.
December 2010: Presentation for the 2022 FIFA World Cup bid
In December 2010, Morgan Freeman joined former President Bill Clinton and others in Zurich for a presentation to bid for the U.S. hosting rights for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
2010: Narrated Through the Wormhole
In 2010, Morgan Freeman began narrating the documentary series 'Through the Wormhole'.
2011: Endorsed Bill Luckett
In 2011, Morgan Freeman endorsed his friend Bill Luckett, who unsuccessfully ran for Governor of Mississippi.
2011: Narrating Conan the Barbarian, Appearing in Dolphin Tale, and Broadway Debut in 8
In 2011, Morgan Freeman narrated the fantasy film "Conan the Barbarian" and appeared in the family drama "Dolphin Tale". Also in 2011, Freeman was featured with John Lithgow in the Broadway debut of Dustin Lance Black's play, "8", playing Attorney David Boies.
2011: Received the AFI Life Achievement Award
In 2011, Morgan Freeman received the AFI Life Achievement Award in recognition of his contribution to the film industry.
2012: Acted in The Dark Knight Rises
In 2012, Morgan Freeman acted in 'The Dark Knight Rises', completing his role as Lucius Fox in Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy.
2012: Starring in The Magic of Belle Isle and The Dark Knight Rises
In 2012, Morgan Freeman had a lead role in the drama "The Magic of Belle Isle" and reprised his role as Lucius Fox in "The Dark Knight Rises".
2012: Awarded the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award
In 2012, Morgan Freeman was awarded the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award, which recognizes lifetime achievement in the film industry.
2013: Acted in Oblivion
In 2013, Morgan Freeman acted in 'Oblivion'. He also appeared in the Now You See Me films.
2013: Releases of Olympus Has Fallen, Oblivion, Now You See Me, and Last Vegas
In 2013, Morgan Freeman appeared in the action-thriller "Olympus Has Fallen", the science fiction drama "Oblivion", the thriller "Now You See Me", and played a retiree in "Last Vegas".
2013: Presented with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree
In 2013, Morgan Freeman was presented with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Boston University.
July 2014: Turning Ranch into Bee Sanctuary
In July 2014, Morgan Freeman decided to turn his 124-acre ranch into a bee sanctuary, starting with 26 beehives, after learning about the decline of honeybees.
November 12, 2014: Bestowed the honor of Freedom of the City by the City of London
On November 12, 2014, Morgan Freeman was bestowed the honor of Freedom of the City by the City of London.
2014: Narrating What's Possible at the United Nations Climate Summit
In 2014, Morgan Freeman narrated a clip titled "What's Possible", which debuted at the United Nations climate summit.
2014: Produced Madam Secretary
In 2014, Morgan Freeman produced the CBS political drama 'Madam Secretary' through Revelations Entertainment.
2014: Voicing Vitruvius in The Lego Movie, Starring in Transcendence and Lucy, and Appearing in Dolphin Tale 2 and 5 Flights Up
In 2014, Morgan Freeman voiced the character Vitruvius in "The Lego Movie". He also starred in "Transcendence", played scientist Joseph Tagger, and co-starred in "Lucy" as Professor Samuel Norman. Additionally, Freeman appeared in "Dolphin Tale 2" and "5 Flights Up".
2015: Starring in Last Knights and Ted 2, Recurring Role in Madam Secretary, and Momentum
In 2015, Morgan Freeman starred in "Last Knights" and "Ted 2". He also had a recurring role as Chief Justice Frawley in the television series "Madam Secretary", and starred in the thriller "Momentum".
2016: Narrated The Story of God with Morgan Freeman
In 2016, Morgan Freeman began narrating 'The Story of God with Morgan Freeman'.
2016: Releases of London Has Fallen, Now You See Me 2, and Ben-Hur
In 2016, Morgan Freeman reprised his role as Allan Trumbull in "London Has Fallen". He also starred in "Now You See Me 2" and had a leading role in "Ben-Hur", the fifth film adaptation of the 1880 novel.
2016: Voiceover for Hillary Clinton's video introduction
In 2016, on day four of the Democratic National Convention, Morgan Freeman provided the voiceover for the video introduction of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
August 2017: Named the 54th recipient of the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award
In August 2017, Morgan Freeman was named the 54th recipient of the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award for career achievement and humanitarian accomplishment.
September 19, 2017: Appeared in a video by the Committee to Investigate Russia
On September 19, 2017, Morgan Freeman appeared in a video by the Committee to Investigate Russia, declaring that the United States was "at war" and accusing Russia of "launching cyber attacks and spreading false information".
2017: Releases of Going in Style and Just Getting Started, Hosting The Story of God and The Story of Us
In 2017, Morgan Freeman appeared in two comedies: "Going in Style", a remake of the 1979 film, and "Just Getting Started". He also hosted "The Story of God with Morgan Freeman" and "The Story of Us with Morgan Freeman".
2017: Narrated Through the Wormhole
In 2017, Morgan Freeman narrated 'Through the Wormhole'.
2018: Narrating Alpha, Starring in The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, and Uncredited Role in Brian Banks
In 2018, Morgan Freeman narrated "Alpha", starred in "Disney's The Nutcracker and the Four Realms", and had an uncredited role in "Brian Banks".
2019: Narrated The Story of God with Morgan Freeman
In 2019, Morgan Freeman narrated 'The Story of God with Morgan Freeman'.
2019: Starring in The Poison Rose and Angel Has Fallen
In 2019, Morgan Freeman starred opposite John Travolta in "The Poison Rose" and reprised his role as Allan Trumbull in "Angel Has Fallen".
2020: Appearance in The Comeback Trail
In 2020, Morgan Freeman appeared in George Gallo's crime comedy "The Comeback Trail".
June 2021: Donated to the University of Mississippi
In June 2021, Morgan Freeman and Linda Keena donated $1 million to the University of Mississippi, establishing the Center for Evidence-Based Policing and Reform.
2021: Appearance in Coming 2 America and The Kominsky Method
In 2021, Morgan Freeman appeared in "Coming 2 America", a sequel to the 1988 film, and took a guest starring role in the Netflix comedy "The Kominsky Method".
2022: Narrated Our Universe
In 2022, Morgan Freeman narrated the documentary 'Our Universe'.
2022: U.S. bid for hosting rights for the FIFA World Cup
In December 2010, Morgan Freeman joined former President Bill Clinton and others in Zurich for a presentation to bid for the U.S. hosting rights for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
2023: Narrated Life on Our Planet
In 2023, Morgan Freeman narrated 'Life on Our Planet'.
2023: Portraying a United States Secretary of State in Lioness
Since 2023, Morgan Freeman has portrayed a United States Secretary of State in the Taylor Sheridan created Paramount+ spy thriller series "Lioness".
2025: Acted in Now You See Me films
In 2025, Morgan Freeman acted in the Now You See Me films.
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