Strong Ties
Freeman has had long ties to Mississippi, as he was sent to the state during his infancy to live with his paternal grandmother. He grew up in the city of Charleston while the world-renowned actor also called Greenwood his home.
Strong Ties
Buying Land
In 1991, the actor decided to buy land from his parents. This plot was first owned by his grandparents, which is why it had so much family heritage. Freeman then went on to build a spectacular property on this land.
Buying Land
Formative Years
During a 2012 interview, Morgan was asked why he decided to return to the state where he spent his formative years. He answered by saying that that’s where he felt the happiest. It was where he felt he truly belonged.
Formative Years
Before Being a Household Name
Way before rising to fame, Freeman was born in Memphis and was the son of a barber father and mother teacher. The successful actor spent much of his childhood in Chicago, Indiana, and Mississippi while developing many talents.
Before Being a Household Name
Taking to the Stage
First taking to the stage at 9 years old, he was noticed as a natural while performing at a school concert. After winning a drama contest, he displayed his acting skills during a Nashville radio program and later joined the US military.
Taking To The Stage
Los Angeles
Freeman spent four years in the Air Force where he finally ranked as Airman 1st Class. Once he finished serving, he decided to make the move to the bright lights of Los Angeles. During this time, he enjoyed stints in The Opera Ring and The Royal Hunt of the Sun.
Los Angeles
Gracing the Big Screen
The actor later joined the cast of The Electric Company after gracing the big screen in the 1971 family drama called Who Says I Can’t Ride a Rainbow! The kids’ program was wildly popular and Freeman spent six years on this show before his career truly started flourishing.
Gracing The Big Screen
An Obie Award
In 1980, Freeman was acknowledged for his performance in a production of Shakespeare’s Coriolanus and received a prestigious Obie Award. He was later cemented as a bona fide Hollywood star after hitting the big screen.
An Obie Award
An Oscar Nomination
By the time Driving Miss Daisy hit the movie theaters, Freeman was also nominated for an Oscar award. He then went on to earn a Best Supporting Actoraward for his role in Smart Street. A Best Actor Academy Award was also awarded to the rising star.
An Oscar Nomination
Sergeant Major Rawlins
Freeman played the role of Sergeant Major Rawlins in an impressive American Civil War drama called Glory. This was where he reached something of a purple patch. During this time, he enjoyed many box-office successes.
Sergeant Major Rawlins
Behind the Scenes
After establishing himself as a box office hit, he decided to turn his attention to more behind-the-scenes work in 1997. That’s when he co-founded Revelations Entertainment alongside acclaimed producer, Lori McCreary. However, he still continues to rack up film credits.
Behind The Scenes
His Booming Baritone
In the same year, Freeman made the decision to lend his trademark booming baritone to a widely successful documentary called March of the Penguins and War of the Worlds. Additionally, he starred in the comedy Bruce Almighty as God.
His Booming Baritone
Born to Play
Finally, Freeman hit a massive milestone when he played the role he was born for. After tirelessly trying to get a Nelson Mandela project off the ground, the actor eventually got the opportunity to portray the South Africa legend in Invictus.
Born to Play
Adding to His Broadway Credits
The actor then got the chance to join an all-star cast after this Nelson Mandela biopic. This all-star cast included Bruce Willis and was for the adaptation of Red, the comic book. Freeman also landed a role in Olympus Has Fallen, Last Vegas, and Oblivion.
Adding To His Broadway Credits
Apartheid-Era South Africa
Exciting developments followed when Freeman directed and starred in a popular legal drama. However, this wasn’t his first directing opportunity. He had also filmed Bopha! – a film adaptation of an apartheid-era South Africa stage play.
Apartheid Era South Africa
No Signs of Slowing Down
As Freeman approaches his 80s, he showed no signs of slowing down. In recent years, he has appeared on the screen in The Four Realms, The Nut Cracker, Just Getting Started, and Going in Style. He has also continued to lend his voice to various docu-series.
No Signs Of Slowing Down
Jeanette Adair Bradshaw
During his early years in the industry, Freeman’s career was supported by his first wife. However, he and Jeanette Adair Bradshaw split in 1979 after spending 12 years together. Freeman then tied the knot with Myrna Colley-Lee in 1984.
Jeannette Adair Bradshaw
Freeman’s Children
Throughout Freeman’s career, he also raised three children. His firstborn, Alfonso, was the result of the actor’s affair with Loletha Polk-Adkins. However, the father and son didn’t forge a relationship until Alfonso’s mid-20s.
Freeman’s Children
His Kids
His second son’s name is Saifoulaye who was born in the early 1960s. This was after the star’s relationship with an anonymous woman. Following this, Freeman and his first wife welcomed Morgana into the world.
His Kids
Not Afraid
However, Freeman was more than an actor and a father. He also wasn’t afraid to stand up against problems he cared about. He’s supported Barack Obama’s presidential campaign and even stated that the US is at war with the Putin-led nation.
Not Afraid
Other Areas
The famous actor has also put his immense following to great use. For example, he co-founded a relief fund in 2004 to help those who had been impacted by Hurricane Ivan. This has now led to the natural-disasters aid organization known as PLANIT NOW.
Other Areas
Environmental Issues
One of Freeman’s greatest concerns is the environment, which is why he has used his signature baritone voice to narrate various clips for awareness-raising organizations, like One Earth. Additionally, he joined forces with Louie Schwartzberg in 2014 for a documentary about global warming dangers.
Environmental Issues
No More Press
In 2007, the actor stated that he doesn’t need any more press because of the work he has already done. However, the only thing that can get him to open his mouth is environmental issues. He wants to spread the word about this problem.
No More Press
An Environmentalist
The actor has stated that he has considered himself an environmentalist for a while. He remembers in the 1980s when he would hold his breath each time a bus drove by because he knew that these emissions were dangerous.
An Environmentalist
Dying from Air
Freeman continued by stating that people should look at places like Singapore, Beijing, Los Angeles, and Santiago. People in all of these places are dying because of the air quality. Now, these environmental issues have become global.
Dying From Air
Proving How Dedicated
Freeman later proved how dedicated he was to these environmental issues in 2019. His focus was placed on the scary decrease in the bee population. The actor decided to go above and beyond by converting his Mississippi property into a bee sanctuary.
Proving How Dedicated
Importing Beehives
During this time, the star imported more than 26 beehives. His 124-acre ranch located in Charleston was used to place these beehives. Freeman then fed the bees sugar and water while he began building a suitable habitat.
Importing Beehives
Passion for Beekeeping
While appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the star talked about his passion for beekeeping. Although he had only recently discovered this interest, he was devoted to discovering more about how he could help the bee population.
Passion For Beekeeping
Not Getting Stung
Many people were shocked to hear that Freeman didn’t wear any protective clothing when beekeeping. The actor stated that he had nothing to worry about, as he had never been stung.
Not Getting Stung
Understanding
He believed the reason for this was because he resonated with the bees. Freeman hadn’t been stung because he wasn’t trying to harvest the bee’s honey. The actor is simply feeding them, so the bees trust him to come close.
Understanding
The Foundation
During an interview, the actor stated that there’s a concerted effort to ensure the bee population continues to grow. This is because these insects are the foundation of the planet, as they promote vegetation.
The Foundation
Conservation Efforts
It seems the actor’s gardener has played a significant role in Freeman’s conservation efforts. This is because the gardener takes care of these bees. She has even given the actor suggestions of what plants would be best for the bees.
Conservation Efforts
Getting Serious
The interview Freeman had with Jimmy Fallon was quite jovial. However, everything got more serious when Freeman sat down with Larry King. During this interview, Freeman called out Monsanto and the US government for the loss of bee colonies.
Getting Serious
Increased Pesticides
Evidence has shown that the increase in pesticides has severely threatened the bees’ natural environment. As a result, many hives have been destroyed in the ‘colony collapse disorder.’ This has led to a rapid decrease in bees.
Increased Pesticides
Not the Only A-Lister
Although beekeeping might seem like an unlikely hobby for a massive Hollywood star, Freeman isn’t the only A-lister to partaking in it. It appears that Scarlett Johannsson is also a fan of beekeeping.
Not The Only A Lister
Scarlet Johannsson
It’s believed that the starlet took up the hobby when Samuel L. Jackson gifted her a beekeeping kit for her wedding. Additionally, Scarlet is also known to use the honey harvested from this beekeeping for her skincare.
Scarlet Johannsson
Still Acting
Freeman is still acting on the big screen. However, he tries to ensure he spends most of his time dedicated to his environmental missions. Nonetheless, fans can see him in some recent movies like The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard.
Still Acting
Making a Difference
It’s vital to understand that the environmental issues we are facing on this planet aren’t going to go away anytime soon. We all need to ensure that our planet lasts for many more centuries to come.
Making A Difference
Using His Fame for Good
That’s why it’s amazing to see massive celebrities contributing to these conservation efforts. Of course, we have a long way to go, but having influential people, like Morgan Freeman, displaying this hobby is always good.
Using His Fame For Good
The Greater Good
What makes this story even better is that Morgan Freeman dedicated his entire beloved Mississippi property to help conserve this bee population. He gave up something of massive sentimental value for the greater good.
The Greater Good