Early Life and Education of Morgan Freeman: A Complete Timeline

An overview of the childhood and early education of Morgan Freeman, highlighting the experiences that shaped the journey.

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.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1912: Birth of Mamie Edna Revere

In 1912, Mamie Edna Revere, Morgan Freeman's mother, was born. She worked as a teacher.

July 6, 1915: Birth of Morgan Porterfield Freeman

On July 6, 1915, Morgan Porterfield Freeman, Morgan Freeman's father, was born. He later died of cirrhosis in 1961.

June 1, 1937: Morgan Freeman's Birth

On June 1, 1937, Morgan Freeman was born in the United States. He would later become an American actor, producer, and narrator.

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.

April 27, 1961: Death of Morgan Porterfield Freeman

On April 27, 1961, Morgan Freeman's father, Morgan Porterfield Freeman, passed away due to cirrhosis.

October 22, 1967: Married Jeanette Adair Bradshaw

On October 22, 1967, Morgan Freeman married Jeanette Adair Bradshaw.

1971: Attica Prison Riot

The Attica Prison riot happened in 1971.

November 18, 1979: Divorced Jeanette Adair Bradshaw

On November 18, 1979, Morgan Freeman divorced Jeanette Adair Bradshaw.

June 16, 1984: Married Myrna Colley-Lee

On June 16, 1984, Morgan Freeman married Myrna Colley-Lee.

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.

2000: Death of Mamie Edna Revere

In 2000, Mamie Edna Revere, Morgan Freeman's mother, passed away.

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.

2005: Criticism of Black History Month

In 2005, Morgan Freeman criticized the celebration of Black History Month, stating that "Black history is American history".

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.

2006: Founded ClickStar

In 2006, Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary founded ClickStar, a film download company, with investment from Intel Corporation.

December 2007: Separation from Myrna Colley-Lee

In December 2007, Morgan Freeman and Myrna Colley-Lee separated.

August 3, 2008: Injured in an automobile crash

On August 3, 2008, Morgan Freeman was injured in an automobile crash in Mississippi, resulting in broken bones and surgery.

2008: ClickStar Ceased Operations

In 2008, ClickStar, the film download company founded by Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary, ceased operations.

2008: Endorsed Barack Obama

In 2008, during the presidential election, Morgan Freeman endorsed Barack Obama's presidential bid but did not join the campaign.

September 15, 2010: Divorced Myrna Colley-Lee

On September 15, 2010, Morgan Freeman divorced Myrna Colley-Lee.

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.

2011: Endorsed Bill Luckett

In 2011, Morgan Freeman endorsed his friend Bill Luckett, who unsuccessfully ran for Governor of Mississippi.

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.

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.

August 16, 2015: Step-granddaughter E'dena Hines murdered

On August 16, 2015, Morgan Freeman's step-granddaughter, E'dena Hines, was murdered in New York City.

2015: Support for Baltimore Protesters and comments on Police

In 2015, Morgan Freeman expressed his support for the Baltimore protesters and made comments regarding police actions, questioning the racial dynamics and use of force.

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.

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".

2019: Reported to have found religion in Zoroastrianism

In 2019, it was reported that Morgan Freeman found religion in Zoroastrianism.

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.

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.