Morgan Freeman: The Actor's Best Roles

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Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman was born June 1, 1937 in Memphis Tennessee. Morgan would make his acting debut at the young age of 9 in a local school play and by the age of 12 he had won a state drama competition! After graduating high school, Morgan enlisted in the Air Force for four years before making the move to Hollywood to pursue his acting career.

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'The Electric Company'

After appearing in Off-Broadway and Broadway performances, Morgan Freeman would eventually make his big screen debut in 1971's Who Says I Can't Ride a Rainbow. The role that would really thrust him into the limelight, however, would come when he was cast as a regular on the PBS kid's show The Electric Company.

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'Street Smart'

While Morgan Freeman would rise to prominence with his roles on The Electric Company, the actor considers 1987 film Street Smart to be his true breakthrough role- We have to agree, Morgan is pretty spectacular in this action packed thriller!

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'Driving Miss Daisy'

1989 would become a big year for Morgan Freeman, starring in not just one blockbuster hit, but two! The first big role Morgan would score that year was as "Sergeant Major Rawlins" in war film Glory and the second film, earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor, was the heartwarming story line of Driving Miss Daisy.

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'The Shawshank Redemption'

Earning him yet another Best Actor nomination would be his role in 1994's The Shawshank Redemption. Filmed in the old and widely believed "haunted" Ohio State Reformatory, Freeman took on the role of a redeemed convict named "Red". While the film was received positively and would be nominated for seven Academy Award nominations, it was not a blockbuster hit, having to deal with competition from other hit films that year including Forest Gump and Pulp Fiction.

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'Seven'

While Shawshank Redemption may not have been a box-office hit, the 1990s were not lacking of box-office hits for Morgan Freeman. He would star in a number of high-grossing films including Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991), Unforgiven (1992), Seven (1995), and Deep Impact (1998).

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'Bruce Almighty'

Our all time favorite Morgan Freeman film might just have to be 2003's Bruce Almighty. Morgan Freeman is outstanding in his role of "God" and, along with comedian and actor Jim Carrey, the film will keep you laughing from beginning to end!

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'Million Dollar Baby'

Morgan Freeman would finally get his Academy Award in 2005 after the success of 2004 boxing film Million Dollar Baby. Also starring Hilary Swank and Clint Eastwood, if you have not yet seen this critically acclaimed film what are you waiting for?!

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'Wanted'

From 2005 to 2010, Morgan Freeman would move to superhero and comic book films including roles in The Dark Knight Trilogy, 2008's Wanted, and 2010's Red. As a truly versatile actor and because of his deep and distinctive voice, Freeman has also been a top choice for many narration films including War of the Worlds and March of the Penguins.

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'Invictus'

One of Morgan Freeman's life long goals had been to portray South African leader Nelson Mandela in a film, and Morgan would finally get his wish in 2009 with Nelson Mandela biopic Invictus. Directed by Clint Eastwood and also starring Matt Damon, it is no wonder why the film was a huge success!

As one of the most respected figures in Hollywood today, 87-year-old actor Morgan Freeman has rightfully earned his place. Here is a look back at his best roles through the years!

Morgan Freeman's Best Roles

Enjoy!