Morgan Freeman is a famous actor with a difficult fate and an interesting biography. Let's look at the main periods of his life, and also remember the famous films in which he starred.
Children's years, relocation of parents
Morgan was born in 1937. His hometown is Memphis. Morgan's parents worked in one clinic - dad was a nurse, and mom was a nurse. After the birth of the boy and his sister, they separated, and the children were brought up without a father. When the war broke out, businesses in the North needed workers, and quite a few African-Americans from the South went there, hoping to get a good job. The boy's father and mother (then he was four years old) went to Chicago, leaving him to raise his grandmother.
Parents' unsuccessful attempt to regain happiness
Mom and dad of the future actor quickly got a job in a new city. Their relationship was still tense, and they did not risk living together. But when her grandmother died, Morgan Freeman and his sister again settled with their mother, who wanted to return to a once happy life.
It was not an easy year 1943. Morgan's father and mother tried to get together, but they did not succeed: every day there was abuse and scandals, and they had to abandon this unsuccessful idea. The future actor and his sister lived in Greenwood with relatives (this city is located in Mississippi), but sometimes they again moved to Chicago.
Passion for drama
A little older, Morgan became interested in theater. At the age of 12, he realized that he simply adored performing on stage - participating in children's productions, playing funny miniatures. At 15, he became the star of the school: a handsome, prominent young man, one of the most talented dancers. Morgan Freeman, whose best films today conquer the hearts of his fans, already had the makings of a great actor.
The dream of becoming a pilot
The first time a guy came to a flight school at age 16. As expected, he was not accepted - he was not suitable for age. Only after graduation he managed to enter this institution. He really wanted to become a test pilot, but he was allowed to study only on the mechanics of radars. It is difficult to say why this happened - due to the fact that Morgan was black or because of too young age. The flight school was located in Texas, and there were many who were prejudiced against African Americans. In addition, Morgan Freeman, whose photo you see in front of you, has always been distinguished by a masterful character. He later said that he hated idiots, and in the army there were even more of them than among representatives of show business. However, Morgan still learned to be a mechanic, thinking that when he comes of age, he would still become a pilot.
The desire to become an artist
But later the guy realized that his mission was acting. In the 50s, Freeman moved to Los Angeles, and he had no connections, no finances, no experience, but only a love of performances. Subsequently, he said that he did not understand then that becoming an artist is incredibly difficult. Morgan Freeman, whose height, by the way, is 188 cm, just visited various studios and begged to appoint him to some role. Very rarely, an actor manages to break through immediately, it takes more than one year. However, Freeman had to spend decades doing this, and he tried his luck in several areas at the same time: on television, in the cinema and in the theater.
Participation in performances
When, finally, he was accepted into the theater, he was immensely pleased. For many years he played there. Later he moved to New York, where he was appointed to several scanty roles, of course, that the payment was appropriate. Morgan Freeman also played in off-Broadway performances, which, of course, could not glorify him.
First successes
In 1966, when the actor was 29 years old, he was assigned to a small role in the production of "Under the Sun." For the first time he had to speak on stage. So he was able to somehow draw attention to himself. After that, he often received small roles in film, television and theater, in particular, he took part in the musical Hello, Dolly. Morgan Freeman, whose filmography today includes many paintings, at that time could not even imagine that someday he would achieve such success.
"Electric company"
In the 60s, Freeman did not disdain any work. He regularly starred in Electric Company, a television show for children, but the studio was so despondent and longing that the actor fell into despair and began to abuse alcohol. He dreamed of only one thing - to become famous in the cinema.
"Harry and Son" - a fateful film
Currently, it is difficult to believe that such a wonderful artist for the whole twenty years could not achieve fame. However, the truth is that it was only in 1984, when Morgan Freeman starred in the film by Paul Newman under the title “Harry and Son”, they paid attention to him. Justice has finally triumphed.
Oscar nominations
The role in the film by Jerry Schatzberg called "Street Dodger" brought the artist a real success. He got into the role of a resourceful pimp so wonderfully that the audience was deeply impressed, and in 1987 he was nominated for an Oscar. After that, he received this award several times.
Freeman says that he always considered himself to be just an artist, and others for some reason he did not call him a star. However, he is satisfied - celebrities have more fees, in addition, their names are written in large print. Morgan Freeman, whose filmography consists only of good films, is quite critical of himself.
Films about maniacs
The most successful picture of the actor can be considered the tape "And the Spider Came", which raised about $ 70 million. In this movie, his hero again confronts the killer, and his partner again becomes a pretty girl, Jesse Flanigan, who is an employee of the secret service. In this role, Monica Potter made. Jesse replaces the former partner Cross, in whose death the hero Freeman blames himself. Together they are looking for a sadist who abducts the children of the richest people in the United States. The detective makes every effort to neutralize the maniac.
Intriguing silence
Ever thought of what unites Morgan Freeman, Clint Eastwood and Gary Cooper? They may not say anything in the frame, but the viewer will still be interested to look at them. Freeman can simply be in a static pose and intrigue the observer. Looking at him, the viewer is experiencing a storm of emotions. Surprisingly, the less the actor works, the more exciting it is to watch. Morgan Freeman, whose biography is not uninteresting, captivates with his talent.
Role model
The actor admits that an example for him was Anthony Hopkins, for whom the roles of sadists are excellent. Morgan says that he takes some of the techniques from this artist. He often reviews films with him. Morgan and Anthony took part in the historical film Amistad, directed by Spielberg, but they almost did not intersect on the set.
Attitude towards Journalists
Freeman has said more than once that he does not like to talk with reporters, because it takes precious minutes that he could spend on his farm, located in Mississippi, or on a yacht in the Caribbean. However, for the sake of his fans, he agrees to endure some inconvenience. He admits that he is experiencing indescribable happiness when someone tells him that he or she performed very well in one or another role. Indeed, for the sake of this, he gives all his best on the set.
Films featuring Morgan Freeman
During his career, the actor managed to star in many films. Let's watch movies with Morgan Freeman. The year 2013, in particular, was very fruitful for him:
- 2014: "Excellence";
- 2013: Starpertsy, Illusion of Deception, Oblivion, Fall of Olympus;
- 2012: The Dark Knight: Revival of a Legend;
- 2011: "The desire of the wizard", "Third Act", "The Story of the Dolphin", "Conan the Barbarian";
- 2010: “RED”;
- 2009: Unconquered
- 2008: The Dark Knight, Especially Dangerous;
- 2007: “Holiday of Love”, “Goodbye, Baby, Goodbye”, “Until I Played in the Box”, “Evan Almighty”;
- 2006: “The Lucky Number of Slevin”, “10 Steps to Success”;
- 2005: Edison, Unfinished Life, Contract, Danny Chain Dog, Batman: The Beginning;
- 2004: “Million Dollar Baby,” “Big Theft”;
- 2003: “Repentance”, “Dreamcatcher”, “Bruce Almighty”;
- 2002: “The Price of Fear”, “Particularly Serious Crimes”;
- 2001: “And the spider came”;
- 2000: Betty Sisters, Under Suspicion
- 1998: “Encounter with the abyss”, “Downpour”;
- 1997: "Kiss the Girls", "Amistad";
- 1996: Chain Reaction, Mall Flanders;
- 1995: Epidemic, Seven;
- 1994: "The Shawshank Redemption";
- 1992: The Power of Unity, Unforgiven
- 1990: Bonfire of the Vanities, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves;
- 1989: “Glory,” “Handsome Johnny,” “Chauffeur Miss Daisy,” “Hold on to Me”;
- 1988: Pure and Sober, Bloody Money;
- 1987: Street Rookie, Struggle for Life;
- 1986: "Place of Rest";
- 1985: "It was then ... it is now", "The Killing of Children in Atlanta," "Marie," "The Execution of Raymond Graham";
- 1984: Teachers, Harry and Son;
- 1981: The Death of a Prophet, Witness, The Story of Marva Collins;
- 1980: The Brubaker
- 1964: "Another World."
Morgan Freeman, whose filmography is a real find for connoisseurs of quality cinema, has earned the love and appreciation of a huge number of fans. And this is not surprising, because his talent is obvious and undeniable.