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 recognized for his extensive six-decade career. He has garnered numerous awards, including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe. Freeman's contributions to the performing arts have been celebrated 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. His distinguished career and significant impact on the film industry led to his being voted one of the 50 greatest actors of all time in a 2022 Empire poll.
October 22, 1967: Marries Jeanette Adair Bradshaw
On October 22, 1967, Morgan Freeman married Jeanette Adair Bradshaw.
November 18, 1979: Divorces Jeanette Adair Bradshaw
On November 18, 1979, Morgan Freeman divorced Jeanette Adair Bradshaw.
June 16, 1984: Marries Myrna Colley-Lee
On June 16, 1984, Morgan Freeman married Myrna Colley-Lee.
1994: Starred in The Shawshank Redemption
In 1994, Morgan Freeman portrayed Red in the acclaimed drama "The Shawshank Redemption". He was cast at the suggestion of producer Liz Glotzer. Also in 1994, Freeman served as a member of the jury at the 44th Berlin International Film Festival.
1995: Starred in Outbreak and Seven
In 1995, Morgan Freeman starred in the medical thriller "Outbreak" as General Billy Ford. Also in 1995, he starred with Brad Pitt in David Fincher's crime thriller "Seven", playing a detective.
1996: Starred in Chain Reaction and Moll Flanders
In 1996, Morgan Freeman appeared in "Chain Reaction" as Paul Shannon. He was also cast opposite Robin Wright in "Moll Flanders", a period drama based on the novel of the same name.
1997: Founds Revelations Entertainment
In 1997, Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary founded Revelations Entertainment, a film production company.
1997: Drove a Nissan Maxima
In 1997, Morgan Freeman drove a Nissan Maxima, which he was involved in an automobile crash with on August 3, 2008.
1997: Narrated The Long Way Home and starred 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 that same year, he was cast as psychologist Alex Cross in "Kiss the Girls", a thriller based on James Patterson's 1995 novel of the same name.
1997: Starred in Kiss the Girls
In 1997, Morgan Freeman starred in "Kiss the Girls" as Dr. Alex Cross, later reprising the role in 2001 in Along Came a Spider.
1998: Starred in Deep Impact and Hard Rain
In 1998, Morgan Freeman starred in the science-fiction disaster film "Deep Impact", playing President Tim Beck. Also in 1998, he starred opposite Christian Slater in "Hard Rain".
2000: Starred in Nurse Betty and Under Suspicion
In 2000, Morgan Freeman played the lead role of Charlie in the comedy "Nurse Betty". He also appeared in "Under Suspicion", a thriller remake of the 1981 French film Garde à vue, which he produced under Revelations Entertainment.
2001: Starred in Along Came a Spider
In 2001, Morgan Freeman reprised his role of Alex Cross in "Along Came a Spider", a sequel to 1997's Kiss the Girls.
2002: Starred in The Sum of All Fears and High Crimes
In 2002, Morgan Freeman was cast opposite Ben Affleck in the spy thriller "The Sum of All Fears", based on Tom Clancy's 1991 novel. Next, Freeman starred alongside Ashley Judd and Jim Caviezel in "High Crimes", a legal thriller based on Joseph Finder's 1998 novel of the same name.
2003: Starred in Bruce Almighty
In 2003, Morgan Freeman appeared as God in the hit comedy "Bruce Almighty" with Jim Carrey and Jennifer Aniston.
2003: Morgan Freeman stars in Bruce Almighty
In 2003, Morgan Freeman starred in Bruce Almighty. In 2007 he would reprise this role in Evan Almighty.
2003: Starred in Dreamcatcher, Levity, and Guilty by Association
In 2003, Morgan Freeman starred in the science fiction horror "Dreamcatcher", adapted from Stephen King's 2001 novel. Also in 2003, he starred in two other dramas that were not widely seen, "Levity" and "Guilty by Association".
2004: Helped form the Grenada Relief Fund
In 2004, Morgan Freeman helped form the Grenada Relief Fund to aid people affected by Hurricane Ivan in Grenada. The fund later became PLANIT NOW.
2004: Starred in The Big Bounce and Million Dollar Baby
In 2004, Morgan Freeman's releases were the comedy "The Big Bounce" and sports drama "Million Dollar Baby". In Million Dollar Baby, he portrayed an elderly former boxer, which earned him his first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
2005: Criticized Black History Month
In 2005, Morgan Freeman criticized the celebration of Black History Month, stating that black history is American history.
2005: Multiple film appearances
In 2005, Morgan Freeman made six appearances in various films. These included "An Unfinished Life", narration of "War of the Worlds" and "March of the Penguins", "Batman Begins", "Unleashed", "Edison", and providing the voice of Neil Armstrong in "Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D".
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: Founds ClickStar
In 2006, Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary founded ClickStar, a film download company, with investment from Intel Corporation.
2006: Starred in The Contract, Lucky Number Slevin, and 10 Items or Less
In 2006, Morgan Freeman starred in "The Contract", "Lucky Number Slevin", and "10 Items or Less". He co-founded ClickStar, a film distribution company that year, and made "10 Items or Less" available for download two weeks after its theatrical release.
December 2007: Separates from Myrna Colley-Lee
In December 2007, Morgan Freeman and Myrna Colley-Lee separated, eventually leading to their divorce in September 15, 2010.
2007: Starred in Evan Almighty, 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. Also in 2007, he starred in "Feast of Love", based on the 2000 novel, and had a supporting role in "Gone Baby Gone", Ben Affleck's directorial debut, adapted from Dennis Lehane's 1998 novel. Afterward, he starred in Rob Reiner's comedy "The Bucket List".
August 3, 2008: Injured in automobile crash
On the evening of August 3, 2008, Morgan Freeman was injured in an automobile crash near Ruleville, Mississippi, involving his 1997 Nissan Maxima. He sustained broken bones and underwent surgery. Demaris Meyer, his passenger, later sued him for negligence, but the suit was settled.
2008: ClickStar ceases operations
In 2008, ClickStar, the film download company founded by Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary, ceased operations.
2008: Endorses Barack Obama
In 2008, Morgan Freeman endorsed Barack Obama's presidential bid but stated he would not join the campaign.
2008: Starred in Wanted and The Dark Knight
In 2008, Morgan Freeman was cast in the action-thriller "Wanted". Also in 2008, Freeman narrated "The Love Guru" and appeared in "The Dark Knight", reprising his role as Lucius Fox. Freeman returned to Broadway in 2008 to co-star in "The Country Girl".
September 15, 2010: Divorces Myrna Colley-Lee
On September 15, 2010, Morgan Freeman divorced Myrna Colley-Lee, after separating in December 2007.
December 2010: Joins presentation for U.S. FIFA World Cup bid
In December 2010, Morgan Freeman joined former President Bill Clinton, Sunil Gulati, and Landon Donovan in Zurich for a presentation to bid for the U.S. hosting rights for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
2011: Endorses Bill Luckett
In 2011, Morgan Freeman endorsed his friend Bill Luckett, who unsuccessfully ran for Governor of Mississippi.
2013: Received honorary degree from Boston University
In 2013, Boston University presented Morgan Freeman with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.
July 2014: Turned his ranch into a bee sanctuary
In July 2014, after learning about the decline of honeybees, Morgan Freeman decided to turn his 124-acre ranch into a bee sanctuary, starting with 26 beehives.
2014: Narrated What's Possible at the United Nations climate summit.
In 2014, Morgan Freeman narrated a clip titled What's Possible which had its debut at the United Nations climate summit.
August 16, 2015: Step-granddaughter E'dena Hines murdered
On August 16, 2015, Morgan Freeman's 33-year-old step-granddaughter, E'dena Hines, was murdered in New York City.
2015: Expressed support for Baltimore protesters
Regarding the 2015 Baltimore protests, Morgan Freeman said he was "absolutely" supportive of the protesters, linking the unrest to police actions and racial issues.
June 2021: Donates to 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: Related to US Hosting Rights Bid
Morgan Freeman joined a presentation for the U.S. Hosting Rights bid for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
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