History of Morgan Freeman in Timeline
Morgan Freeman is a highly acclaimed American actor, producer, and narrator with a career spanning six decades. He has earned numerous prestigious awards, including an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and nominations for a Grammy and a Tony Award. Freeman's contributions to the film industry have been recognized with 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 Empire poll acknowledged him as one of the 50 greatest actors of all time.
1964: Start of Prolific Film Career
Since 1964, Morgan Freeman has been prolific in film, known for his roles in various genres including dramas, historical epics, thrillers, action-adventure, science fiction, and comedies.
October 22, 1967: Marriage to Jeanette Adair Bradshaw
On October 22, 1967, Morgan Freeman married Jeanette Adair Bradshaw.
November 18, 1979: Divorce from Jeanette Adair Bradshaw
On November 18, 1979, Morgan Freeman and Jeanette Adair Bradshaw divorced.
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.
1981: Release of Garde à vue
In 1981, the French film Garde à vue was released, which served as the inspiration for the 2000 film Under Suspicion starring Morgan Freeman.
1982: Stephen King's Novella Publication
In 1982, Stephen King's novella "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption" was published, which later became the basis for the film "The Shawshank Redemption" starring Morgan Freeman.
June 16, 1984: Marriage to Myrna Colley-Lee
On June 16, 1984, Morgan Freeman married Myrna Colley-Lee.
1987: Obie Award for Driving Miss Daisy
From 1987-90, Morgan Freeman earned an Obie Award for his theater role in Driving Miss Daisy.
1989: Co-starring in Lean on Me
In 1989, Beverly Todd co-starred with Morgan Freeman in Lean on Me.
1989: Golden Globe Award for Driving Miss Daisy
In 1989, Morgan Freeman won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in Driving Miss Daisy.
1991: Tom Clancy's The Sum of All Fears Novel Release
In 1991, Tom Clancy's novel "The Sum of All Fears" was published, which later became a movie starring Morgan Freeman in 2002.
1994: The Shawshank Redemption Release and Berlin International Film Festival Jury
In 1994, Morgan Freeman starred as Red in "The Shawshank Redemption", a film based on the Stephen King novella. At the 67th Academy Awards, the film received a Best Picture nomination and a nomination for Freeman for Best Actor. Also in 1994, Freeman served as a jury member at the 44th Berlin International Film Festival.
1995: James Patterson's Kiss the Girls Novel Release
In 1995, James Patterson's novel Kiss the Girls was released, which later became a movie starring Morgan Freeman in 1997.
1995: Starring in Outbreak and Seven
In 1995, Morgan Freeman starred in "Outbreak" as General Billy Ford, a doctor dealing with a fictional virus outbreak. Also in 1995, he starred in "Seven" with Brad Pitt, playing a detective trying to catch a serial killer.
1996: Chain Reaction and Moll Flanders
In 1996, Morgan Freeman appeared in "Chain Reaction" as Paul Shannon, a science-fiction thriller. The same year, he was cast opposite Robin Wright in "Moll Flanders", a period drama.
1997: Co-founding Revelations Entertainment
In 1997, Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary established Revelations Entertainment, a film production company.
1997: The Long Way Home, Amistad, and Kiss the Girls
In 1997, Morgan Freeman narrated the documentary "The Long Way Home" and appeared in Steven Spielberg's "Amistad". Also in 1997, he starred as psychologist Alex Cross in "Kiss the Girls", based on James Patterson's novel.
1997: Kiss the Girls Film
In 1997, Morgan Freeman stars in Kiss the Girls film.
1997: Automobile Crash
On the evening of August 3, 2008, Morgan Freeman was injured in an automobile crash near Ruleville, Mississippi, where his 1997 Nissan Maxima was involved in a rollover.
1998: Deep Impact and Hard Rain Starring Roles
In 1998, Morgan Freeman starred in "Deep Impact" as President Tim Beck. Also in 1998, he starred in "Hard Rain" opposite Christian Slater.
1998: Gone, Baby, Gone Novel Release
In 1998, the novel Gone, Baby, Gone by Dennis Lehane was released. It was adapted into a movie in 2007 with Morgan Freeman in a supporting role.
2000: Starring in Nurse Betty and Under Suspicion
In 2000, Morgan Freeman starred in "Nurse Betty" as Charlie and appeared in "Under Suspicion", a remake of the 1981 film. He also produced "Under Suspicion" under Revelations Entertainment.
2000: The Feast of Love Book
In 2000, the novel The Feast of Love by Charles Baxter was released.
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.
2001: Stephen King's Dreamcatcher Novel
In 2001, Stephen King's novel Dreamcatcher was published, which later became a film starring Morgan Freeman in 2003.
2002: The Sum of All Fears and High Crimes Starring Roles
In 2002, Morgan Freeman starred in "The Sum of All Fears", based on the 1991 novel by Tom Clancy. Also in 2002, he starred in "High Crimes".
2003: Bruce Almighty Starring Role
In 2003, Morgan Freeman appeared as God in the hit comedy "Bruce Almighty" with Jim Carrey.
2003: Starring in Dreamcatcher, Levity and Guilty by Association
In 2003, Morgan Freeman starred in "Dreamcatcher", adapted from Stephen King's novel. Also in 2003, he starred in the dramas "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 on the island of Grenada. The fund has since become PLANIT NOW.
2004: Million Dollar Baby and Academy Award Win
In 2004, Morgan Freeman starred in "Million Dollar Baby", directed by Clint Eastwood, and won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
2004: 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.
2005: Multiple Film Appearances
In 2005, Morgan Freeman appeared in six films, including "An Unfinished Life", "War of the Worlds" (narration), "March of the Penguins" (narration), "Batman Begins", "Unleashed", "Edison", and "Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D" (voice of Neil Armstrong).
2005: Criticism of Black History Month
In 2005, Morgan Freeman voiced his disapproval of Black History Month, asserting that black history is an integral part of American history and suggesting that discussing race perpetuates racism. He also pointed out the absence of a "white history month."
May 13, 2006: 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.
October 28, 2006: Lifetime Achievement Award at Mississippi's Best Awards
On October 28, 2006, Morgan Freeman was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the first Mississippi's Best Awards in Jackson, Mississippi, for his contributions to film and theater.
2006: Founding of ClickStar
In 2006, Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary founded ClickStar, a film download company, with investment from Intel Corporation.
2006: The Contract, Lucky Number Slevin, and 10 Items or Less
In 2006, Morgan Freeman starred in "The Contract", appeared in "Lucky Number Slevin", and portrayed himself in "10 Items or Less". "10 Items or Less" was made available for download from ClickStar, a film distribution company that Freeman co-founded that year.
December 2007: Separation from Myrna Colley-Lee
In December 2007, Morgan Freeman and Myrna Colley-Lee separated.
2007: Co-starring in The Bucket List
In 2007, Beverly Todd co-starred with Morgan Freeman in The Bucket List.
2007: Evan Almighty, Feast of Love, Gone Baby Gone and The Bucket List
In 2007, Morgan Freeman reprised his role as God in "Evan Almighty", appeared in "Feast of Love", had a supporting role in "Gone Baby Gone", and starred in "The Bucket List" opposite Jack Nicholson.
August 3, 2008: Automobile Crash
On the evening of August 3, 2008, Morgan Freeman was injured in an automobile crash near Ruleville, Mississippi. He was taken to The Regional Medical Center in Memphis and underwent surgery for his injuries.
2008: Endorsement of Barack Obama
During the 2008 presidential election, Morgan Freeman endorsed Barack Obama's presidential bid but declined to actively participate in his campaign.
2008: ClickStar Ceased Operations
In 2008, ClickStar, the film download company founded by Morgan Freeman and Lori McCreary, ceased operations.
2008: Wanted, The Love Guru, The Dark Knight, and The Country Girl
In 2008, Morgan Freeman was cast in "Wanted", narrated "The Love Guru", reprised his role as Lucius Fox in "The Dark Knight", and returned to Broadway to co-star in "The Country Girl".
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.
July 4, 2009: Narration for The Hall of Presidents Re-opening
On July 4, 2009, Morgan Freeman was the narrator for Disney World's The Hall of Presidents when it re-opened at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida, after the addition of Barack Obama to the exhibit.
2009: Roles in Thick as Thieves, The Maiden Heist and Invictus
In 2009, Morgan Freeman starred in the heist movie Thick as Thieves with Antonio Banderas and in the comedy The Maiden Heist with Christopher Walken and William H. Macy. Also in 2009, Freeman starred as Nelson Mandela in Invictus, which received positive reviews.
January 2010: Replaced Walter Cronkite for CBS Evening News and presenter of Through the Wormhole
In January 2010, Morgan Freeman replaced Walter Cronkite as the voiceover introduction to the CBS Evening News. Also, in January 2010, Deborah Myers approached Freeman to be the presenter of Through the Wormhole (2010–17).
September 15, 2010: Divorce from Myrna Colley-Lee
On September 15, 2010, Morgan Freeman and Myrna Colley-Lee divorced.
December 2010: Bid for 2022 FIFA World Cup Hosting Rights
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: Colon Cancer Diagnosis and Surgery
In 2010, Morgan Freeman was diagnosed with stage 1 colon cancer and underwent successful surgery to remove the tumor.
2010: Release of Red
In 2010, Morgan Freeman's film Red was released, co-starring Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, and John Malkovich. Red is adapted from the comic-book series Red. Freeman plays CIA mentor Joe in the movie.
2011: Endorsement of Bill Luckett
In 2011, Morgan Freeman endorsed his friend Bill Luckett, who unsuccessfully ran for Governor of Mississippi.
2011: Narrated Conan the Barbarian and appeared in Dolphin Tale and play, 8
In 2011, Morgan Freeman narrated the film Conan the Barbarian and appeared in the family drama Dolphin Tale as Dr. McCarthy. Returning to theater in 2011, Freeman was featured with John Lithgow in the Broadway debut of Dustin Lance Black's play, 8.
2011: AFI Life Achievement Award
In 2011, Morgan Freeman received the AFI Life Achievement Award in recognition of his contribution to the film industry.
2012: Lead role in The Magic of Belle Isle and reprised role in The Dark Knight Rises
In 2012, Morgan Freeman had a lead role in the drama The Magic of Belle Isle. Also in 2012, Freeman reprised his role as Lucius Fox in The Dark Knight Rises.
2012: 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: Appeared in Olympus Has Fallen, Oblivion, Now You See Me, and Last Vegas
In 2013, Morgan Freeman appeared in several films: the action-thriller Olympus Has Fallen, the science fiction drama Oblivion with Tom Cruise, the thriller Now You See Me, and Last Vegas with Michael Douglas, Robert De Niro, Kevin Kline, and Mary Steenburgen.
2013: Honorary Degree from Boston University
In 2013, Morgan Freeman was presented with an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree by Boston University.
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, beginning with 26 beehives.
November 12, 2014: Freedom of the City Honor
On November 12, 2014, Morgan Freeman was bestowed the honor of Freedom of the City by the City of London.
2014: Narrated What's Possible and Donated to the Mississippi Horse Park
In 2014, Morgan Freeman narrated a clip titled What's Possible, which had its debut at the United Nations climate summit. Also in 2014, Freeman has donated to the Mississippi Horse Park in Starkville, Mississippi.
2014: Voiced Vitruvius in The Lego Movie, starred in Transcendence and Lucy, and appeared in Dolphin Tale 2 and 5 Flights Up
In 2014, Morgan Freeman voiced Vitruvius in The Lego Movie, starred in Transcendence as Joseph Tagger, and co-starred in Lucy as Professor Samuel Norman. Freeman also appeared in Dolphin Tale 2 and 5 Flights Up in 2014.
August 16, 2015: Murder of E'dena Hines
On August 16, 2015, E'dena Hines, Morgan Freeman's step-granddaughter, was murdered in New York City.
2015: Starred in Last Knights and Ted 2, recurring role in Madam Secretary, and starred in Momentum
In 2015, Morgan Freeman starred in Last Knights, Ted 2 as Patrick Meighan, and Momentum as a U.S. senator. Also in 2015, he played Chief Justice Frawley in a recurring role in the television series Madam Secretary and directed one episode.
2015: Support for Baltimore Protesters
In 2015, Morgan Freeman voiced his support for the Baltimore protesters following the death of Freddie Gray, attributing the unrest to police terrorism and highlighting the role of smartphones in exposing police actions.
2016: Hosted The Story of God with Morgan Freeman
In 2016, Morgan Freeman hosted the National Geographic's The Story of God with Morgan Freeman.
2016: Appeared in 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. Freeman also starred in Now You See Me 2 as Thaddeus Bradley and in Ben-Hur as Sheik Ilderim in 2016.
2016: Voiceover for Hillary Clinton's Introduction
On day four of the 2016 Democratic National Convention, Morgan Freeman provided the voiceover for the video introduction of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
August 2017: 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: Accusation against Russia
On September 19, 2017, Morgan Freeman appeared in a video by the Committee to Investigate Russia group, accusing Russia of launching cyber attacks and spreading false information.
2017: Appeared in Going in Style and Just Getting Started, and hosted The Story of God and The Story of Us
In 2017, Morgan Freeman appeared in the comedies Going in Style and Just Getting Started. Also, in 2017, Freeman hosted National Geographic's The Story of God with Morgan Freeman and The Story of Us with Morgan Freeman.
May 24, 2018: CNN Investigation and Accusations
On May 24, 2018, CNN published an investigation in which eight women accused Morgan Freeman of inappropriate behavior and harassment. Freeman apologized, and one of the accusers spoke out against her portrayal in CNN's report. The Screen Actors Guild decided not to take any action against Freeman.
2018: Narrated Alpha, starred in The Nutcracker and the Four Realms, and had an 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: Starred in The Poison Rose and reprised his role in Angel Has Fallen
In 2019, Morgan Freeman starred in The Poison Rose with John Travolta. Also in 2019, Freeman reprised his role as Allan Trumbull in Angel Has Fallen.
2020: Appeared in The Comeback Trail
In 2020, Morgan Freeman appeared in George Gallo's crime comedy The Comeback Trail.
June 2021: Donation to the University of Mississippi
In June 2021, Morgan Freeman and Linda Keena donated $1 million to the University of Mississippi, creating the Center for Evidence-Based Policing and Reform.
2021: Appeared in Coming 2 America and guest starring role in The Kominsky Method
In 2021, Morgan Freeman appeared in Coming 2 America, a sequel to the 1988 film. In 2021 he took a guest starring role acting opposite Michael Douglas and Alan Arkin in the Netflix comedy The Kominsky Method.
2023: Portrayed 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 starring Nicole Kidman and Zoe Saldaña.
November 2025: Now You See Me: Now You Don't Release
In November 2025, Morgan Freeman returns to the heist franchise acting in Now You See Me: Now You Don't.
2025: Most Liked Celebrity
A YouGov poll conducted in 2025 found that 87.5% of all adults have a positive opinion of Morgan Freeman, making him the most liked celebrity to date.
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