Morgan Freeman's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A success timeline featuring the most significant achievements of Morgan Freeman.

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

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.

1980: Obie Award for Coriolanus

In 1980, Morgan Freeman received the Obie Award for his role in the Shakespearean tragedy 'Coriolanus'.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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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.

2011: AFI Life Achievement Award

In 2011, Morgan Freeman received the AFI Life Achievement Award, celebrating his significant contributions to film.

2012: Cecil B. DeMille Award

In 2012, Morgan Freeman was awarded the Cecil B. DeMille Award, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the entertainment field.

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: 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.

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.

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.

2018: Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award

In 2018, Morgan Freeman received the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, honoring his career achievements in acting.

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".

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