(ominous music) (upbeat music) - [Narrator] Morgan
Freeman is one of the most recognizable actors in Hollywood. - [Interviewer] Yeah, what
drew you to this project? Why did you wanna be a part of this film? - ♪ Money, money, money, money ♪ - [Narrator] The 84 year old star has been in over 100 movies and has been a star on the big screen for over three decades. - [Interviewer] You do have the greatest voice in the world, what are your tips? What's your secret to your great voice? - I don't have
one tell you the truth. It's just luck! You can do anything, just about anything you want to do, but I stress the word "want". - [Narrator Woman] And they should know, after all they are Hollywood legends. - [Narrator] His powerful
voice and calming demeanor have landed him roles well
suited to his character and ability to portray somebody else. Despite his recognizable traits, Morgan, wasn't always well known. The, now 84 year-old actor, caught his first big break in 1968 in a Broadway musical
called, "Hello, Dolly!" and later starred in the
children's television series, "The Electric Company." ♪ We're gonna turn it on. ♪ ♪ We're gonna bring in the power. ♪ ♪ We're gonna light up
the dark, the night, ♪ ♪ like the brightest day
in a whole new way. ♪ ♪ We're gonna turn it on. ♪ - [Narrator] He co-star with Bill Cosby, Rita Moreno, Lee Chamberlain, Judy Graubart and Skip Hinnant. The Electric Company was a success and ran consecutively during the early seventies while
Morgan was a cast m
ember, before he eventually
left the show in 1975. ♪ The Electric Company. ♪ His co-stars spoke highly of him. He stayed in contact with Rita Moreno, and the two developed a strong friendship. One of the show's other
co-hosts, Bill Cosby, also stayed in contact with Morgan. The two would occasionally cross paths later in their careers. Bill is best known for his role
in his hit television show, The Cosby Show, which ran for eight seasons during the mid 80's to early 90's. Morgan was born on June
1st,
1937, in Memphis, Tennessee, and was raised in Mississippi by parents, Mayme Edna Revere and
Morgan Porterfield Freeman. From a young age Morgan showed interest in the performing arts. At the age of 12, he won
a local drama competition, and decided to pursue a career in acting. (upbeat piano music continues) Growing up, Morgan had
a passion for acting but dreamt of being a pilot. He would often daydream
about flying planes in class. His fantasies of being a pilot were during the time of Wo
rld War II, when Morgan was just a little boy. - Yes, I decided by age 15
that I wanted to be a jet pilot because I got in a lot
of trouble in school. Flying. Teachers droning on and I'm
climbing at 15,000 feet. (audience and Morgan laugh) And then I went into the air force because I really did want to fly. And it was the quickest
ticket out of Mississippi to elsewhere in the world. And I learned very quickly that, that wasn't going to happen. I was not gonna be a jet pilot and that I was not cu
t
out for the military. (upbeat orchestral music continues) - [Narrator] Between flying imaginary fighter planes and acting, Morgan would frequent
his local movie theater whenever he had spare change. He loved movies as a child,
just as much as he loved planes. (upbeat orchestral music continues) When Morgan graduated high school in 1955, he enlisted in the United States Air Force after turning down a drama scholarship from Jackson State University. He served his country for four years before re
suming his passion for acting. Due to the hierarchy of the military, he realized he wasn't
cut out for the military. He would much rather act and fulfill his other
dream of becoming a star. (upbeat orchestral music continues) - [Interviewer] Do you have any tips? Any voiceover tips for people aspiring to sound like Morgan Freeman? - Yeah, don't aspire to
sound like Morgan Freeman. That's, I think that's a mistake. And no, I don't know of any tips. Except for one thing,
one thing I can tell you,
if you're looking to improve your, the sound of your voice, yawn a lot. - [Interviewer] Yawn a lot? - Yawn a lot, yeah. You know why? - [Interviewer] Why? Tell me why. - It relaxes your throat muscles, it relaxes your vocal cords, and as soon as they relax, the tone drops. The lower your voice is,
the better you sound. - [Interviewer] So if I yawned a lot, - Yes. - [Interviewer] I might start
sounding like Morgan Freeman? - No, but you would
certainly get a deeper voice. (ambient music continues
) - [Narrator] The young Morgan wasn't born with his iconic voice. In fact, he once possessed
a strong Southern accent. It wasn't until he
enrolled in acting school that he learned to hone his voice, since that would be his
main tool for acting. Morgan's instructor, Robert Whitten, taught Morgan the fundamentals, allowing him to lower and relax his voice, making sure he understood
elocution diction and breath control. - Did you have a Southern accent? - Serious. - You must have. - Yes, yes, it w
as bad. First time I stood up in his
class and opened my mouth., He said, "Hold it, hold it. What's your name?" And I said, "It's Morgan Freeman". He said, "It's not Stephen Fetcher"? (Larry laughs) (Morgan whooshing) (ambient music continues) - So far I've been sort of laid back and easy about it, you know. - [Interviewer] Of course
you are here from New York because you're doing a play in New York and you had to leave the play to get here. So tell me about that. - Well, I left Francis Sternhag
en there with my understudy and she's doing, you know, her part there, so. I'm just looking forward to getting back. - [Narrator] Over the next
decade, after graduating, Morgan will star in several Broadway shows performing on stage. These performances prepared him for the vigorous work he would do starring as a cast member
in the children's TV show, "The Electric Company". (ambient music continues) (upbeat pop music) After several roles in
lesser known productions, Morgan finally landed a role
that would put him in the limelight, starring in the 1987 film, "Street Smart". (upbeat pop music continues) - Alrighty, all right. - This is where hang out. - Hey, what's happening, Fast? - Hey, I thought I'd play
a little ball, Aaron. - Are you gonna take me down town? - What are you talking about man, they got dudes like him
down there, wall to wall. - So? - Nice to meet you. - So? So they will chew your young ass up and spit you all up all over 42nd street. - I been there. - Get out of here.
Hey, what 'cha doing, playing
basket ball or jerking off? Give me the ball, baby! The big man is here,
he moves to the basket, he lays it up there! (ball players cheering) Every body come here, come on, come on, you think you might've, what's wrong with you man? Stealing my shot, stealing my shot? Nobody gets in my way, you
understand, man? Nobody! - I'm sorry man. - I better put your ass
through that (bleep) hoop, the (bleep) you thing you are? - Hey man, I'm sorry. - [Fast] I'll stick
another
hole in your ass, you understand that? Do you know who you're fucking with, do you know who I am? - [Ball Player] I'm sorry man. - [Interviewer] You've been
an actor for many years. You know, you done a lot of theater, and movies and the whole thing, and all of a sudden you get this great recognition
for wonderful performance in "Street Smart". - Yeah. - [Interviewer] How do
you feel about that? All this coming your way at this time? - Well, you know, they say
things happen when they happen. Th
ey happen in their own time and they happen for their own reasons, so I'm feeling quite well about it. I'm prepared I can tell you that. (Morgan laughs) - [Interviewer] You
have your speech ready? - No speeches, no. - [Interviewer] Well, how
important are awards to you? - Boy, I'm gonna sound
a little funny here, but awards for best actor
aren't very important at all. There's no such thing as a
best actor in this business, you know, you can't, you can't
call yourself the best actor. You can't ev
en allow anyone to call you the best actor, you know. - [Narrator] His role
as a street hustler pimp earned him an academy award nomination for best supporting actor. This achievement placed him on the radar of several producers. Morgan continued his career
starring in more hit films and steadily began building a
name for himself as an actor. - [Interviewer] Now, what would you say makes a great director? - Get outta the way. - [Interviewer] Get outta the way? - Yeah. - [Interviewer] Is there an
y one director that you wanna work with
that you haven't yet? - Yeah, there's more than one. - [Interviewer] Like who? - Huh? - [Interviewer] Who? - I haven't worked with Mike Nichols. I haven't worked with Larry Levinson. I mean, I don't like
to call on names cause, there's a list of 'em, you know, just, right on down the line. - [Interviewer] Now, do you think that a really good director can turn
a bad actor into a good actor? - Nope, nope, nope. - [Narrator] Morgan
Freeman has had a bright an
d varied career over
the last few decades. Despite his age he has
consistently provided excellent performances
in all of his roles. In 1989, Morgan's career was bright. He starred in four major
films including "Glory", "Lean On Me", "Driving Miss
Daisy" and "Johnny Handsome". - He is a nominee for the
picture "Driving Miss Daisy" in the leading actor category. Say hello to the press. - Hello, press. (Morgan and audience laugh) - I'm sorry, I haven't
introduced your lovely lady. - Oh, this is my
wife, Myrna Colley-Lee. - Hello. - Am I supposed to stand
here and be extemporaneous? (Myrna and audience laugh) No way, how do I feel? Whelmed a bit whelmed, you know? - [Press Woman] When will the over come? - I don't know. It may not, you know? You go from whelmed to might slide back or it might, we'll see
in a few days won't we? - [Press Man] You're supposed to not anxiously desire to win but, - No, I don't anxiously desire to win. What I anxiously desire is not to lose. (Myrna and audience
laugh) - [Narrator] "Glory" was
nominated for five Academy Awards and successfully won
three of the categories. Morgan's performance was
recognized and praised by the Washington Post and his
co-star, Denzel Washington, won the category for
best supporting actor. - Well that might not be living, but it's sure as hell ain't dying. And that is what these
white boys been doing for going on three years now, dying by the thousands,
dying for you, fool. I know cause I dug the graves and all the time I'
m
digging, I'm asking myself, "When? When, oh Lord, is
it gonna be our time"? Our time's coming when
we gonna have to ante up. Ante up and kick in like men, like men! - [Narrator] Denzel and
Morgan had met in 1979, a decade before the release of "Glory", on the set of the theater
production "Coriolanus", a Shakespeare adaptation. (solemn piano music) Over the years they would develop a deep respect for each other and a strong working friendship. Denzel has expressed
his respect for Morgan and Mo
rgan has reciprocated it. Morgan narrated several
historical documentaries before making his
directorial debut in 1993. "Bopha!" was a story about a
South African police officer during the apartheid, starring
Danny Glover as the lead. Morgan directed the film
alongside writer, Percy Mtwa. The film was well received and Morgan was praised for his straightforward direction. The following year, Morgan
was formally recognized for his moving performance in the film, "The Shawshank Redemption". Althou
gh it is now regarded as one of the greatest films of all time, the initial release of the
film didn't do so well. - [Interviewer Woman] Talking about being influenced by film, the single, which is out this week. - [Omar] Yeah. - [Interviewer Woman] "Mercury Summer", you say is influenced by
one of your favorite films? - Yeah, yeah. "Shawshank Redemption". It's just loosely based
on this place called, Zihuatanejo which is, the character in "Shawshank Redemption", for anyone who hasn't seen it is
, he gets imprisoned, falsely imprisoned, for murdering his wife. And he's put in prison for, - Decades. - Decades, yeah, like 30 years. And he just dreams of
breaking out of prison. - [Narrator] With a budget
of around $25 million, the film earned a measly $16 million, leaving the production out of pocket. Despite this, Morgan Freeman was nominated for best actor at the 67th Academy Awards. The original character
in the novel the film is based on was a white Irish man. Morgan received the role
as part of a recommendation by the producer of the film, Liz Glotzer, and the decision was justified by Morgan's outstanding performance, described as, "Quietly
impressive and moving" by the New York times. Morgan had almost given up
his acting career nearly a decade before his casting
in "Shawshank Redemption". He had even considered
becoming a chauffeur. He was a struggling actor without any meaningful roles for two years. - He was like, "Okay, you're human. You screwed up and you need to try
again". - Many of them are mentally ill and had to keep their eyes open at night for fear of being raped,
mugged or harassed. - The first day is hard,
and then after that, when you start talking to
people, it gets easier. - I'm an art therapist, and
that helped me with the kids. Sometimes you get kids who just sit there and stare, don't say a word. But if you put out some
clay and start molding it, a kid can't resist picking it up. It might start out making
fierce objects like dragons. Kids are
good at those kinds of metaphors. They don't have as many
ways of hiding as adults do. As they start to work
through their problem, they make creatures that
are less and less fierce. - [Narrator] Working on his craft, Morgan began capitalizing on
his deep, comforting voice. Morgan voiced over several documentaries during the early 2000s. By this time, he was already
an established Hollywood actor. In 2004, Morgan won
his first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "Million Doll
ar Baby". - [Patrick] Mr. Freeman, congratulations. - Thank you, Patrick. - [Patrick] Well, now that
you are an Oscar winner, - Mhm. - [Patrick] And everybody's
favorite president, do you think they're finally
going to let you get the girl? - Good question. No. (audience laughs) But, I think that we are
working on a couple of pieces where I do get the girl, actually. Real truth, yeah, yeah. - [Patrick] It's about time. - Thank you, sir, thank you. - [Narrator] The film was a success and so was h
is performance. Not only did he receive an Academy Award, Morgan also won a Screen
Actor's Guild Award for Outstanding Actor
in a Supporting Role, and was nominated for the same category in the Golden Globe Awards. - It occurred to me that
winning the nomination is probably the height of it. You think this about as far as
you can really reasonably go. And after that, it's
pretty arbitrary, you know? Because I mean, how can any of us be best? Who can? (crowd cheering and clapping) (ambient music
continues) (crowd cheering and whistling) (crowd clapping) (ambient music continues) - [Narrator] Morgan's
success and influence were put to good use. In 2004, he helped form
the Grenada Relief Fund to help aid those affected
by Hurricane Ivan, which terrorized the
island earlier in the year. - [News Announcer] Pricking your skin, this may not be the last of it. Unequivocally, a sick hurricane, - [Narrator] His work with the fund has allowed it to grow and evolve. Eventually turning it
into what
is now known as Planet Now, a preventative
organization whose mission is to provide resources for those living in areas affected by natural disasters and extreme weather conditions. Outside of Morgan's successful
career as a movie star, he was a family man, a devoted father, and a husband on more than one occasion. He was married twice
between 1967 and 2010. Morgan and his ex-wife,
Jeanette Adair Bradshaw, were married from October 22nd, 1967, until November 18th, 1979. Morgan and Jeanette had
one
child together during this time, Morgana Freeman and her sister, Deena, Morgan's stepdaughter from Jeanette's previous relationship. (ambient music continues) Their marriage began to deteriorate and they eventually divorced
on November 18th, 1979. (ambient music continues) Morgan met and fell in
love with Myrna Colley-Lee, a costume designer and art director, and married her on June 16th, 1984. - Hi! - [Libby] Libby Weaver from Extra. - Hi. - [Libby] Hi, it's nice to meet you. - That's Myrna
Colley-Lee, that's my wife. - [Libby] Nice to meet you. Well, I understand you have a cold, so we won't keep got here too long. - Okay. - [Libby] First of all, I wanna ask you about your outfits 'because you're looking very dapper for tonight. - Thank you very much. - [Myrna] Thank you. - [Libby] Very nice. How do you decide what to wear? Not the normal tux. - Yeah I just, you know, I say, "Bring me something to
wear", and she does, so that's, you know. - [Myrna] I'm his dresser. (Myrna laughs)
- [Libby] Well you do a
nice job. Who dresses you? Did you pick this outfit? - She does, she's a
costume designer, you know? - [Libby] Oh, are you really? - [Myrna] I like to play to
with clothes all the time. - [Libby] Let me ask you
about the Blockbuster Awards, you've been to so many ceremonies. How is this one different? - How is this one different?
I've been there yet. So I don't know. - [Libby] Did you come last year? - No. - [Libby] No you didn't? - No. - [Libby] Well, what do you
think
of all the awards shows? Do you think there're too many or? - When there are too
many, nobody gonna come. - [Libby] To keep on coming. - Yeah. - [Libby] All right, have a great time. - Thanks.
- Thank you. - [Interviewer] Interesting
that in the story, in the Stephen King's story, Red is an Irishman with red hair. - Why is that interesting? - [Interviewer] Well it's
just interesting that somebody can cast you in that part and it works perfectly. - Okay, but I think we
all just let that go and pr
etend that that's normal, you know? - [Interviewer] Yeah. - That way Hollywood doesn't think that they're doing something "big". (Interviewer and Morgan laugh) (Metal gate sliding) (Door creaking) (Slow footsteps approaching) (Door closing) - Please, sit down. (slow music continues) - [Narrator] The mid-2000s
saw the release of several cult classics
and blockbuster films, all furthering Morgan's career. - [Interviewer] Seeing the film in IMAX and seeing yourself six stories high. Is that weird?
Is that a bit strange? - No, I mean, well, no. It's exciting. I've dreamed as a kid of being in the movies. So you're always taken
back when you see yourself always taken back, right? When you, to when you dreamed, you know? So saying, "Hey, ma look, I'm there". - [Narrator] In 1995, Morgan
and his business partner, Lori McCreary, an American producer, founded their own production company, Revelations Entertainment. They're known for their films, "Along Came A Spider", "Levity" and "10 Items Or
Less". (slow music continues) (ambient music) 2009 saw the release of
the biopic, "Invictus". - [Interviewer] Lovely. - Are you well? - [Interviewer] I'm very well, thank you. Morgan, it's an absolute
pleasure to meet you. - Thank you. - [Interviewer] Now there must be a hundred-million films you can make about Nelson Mandela, why
did you pick this one? And why did you think this? - I didn't pick this
one. This one picked us. It just dropped into our lap. It was a perfect venue. Perfect, a perfe
ct story to depict, I think. Mandela who he is, how
he is, how he thinks, how he operates. It's all incorporated
in this little story. - [Nelson] There is a story I often tell, which I want to repeat here. (vehicle alarms blaring) - [Man] That it would've been so easy to have just let the
country slip into civil war and it could have been really a mayhem. And the unique part of it is the fact that he saw this opportunity
when nobody else did. - [Nelson] The Africans require, want the franchise o
n the basis of one man, one vote. They want political independence. We have made it very clear in our policy, that South Africa is a
country of many races. There is room for all the
various races in this country, but you don't have to have
education in order to know that you want certain fundamental rights. So you have got aspirations.
You have got dreams. It has nothing to do with
education whatsoever. And I think the time has
come for us to consider in the light of our experiences
in this day
at home, whether the methods which we have applied so far are adequate. - [Narrator] The film was
based on the 2008 story, "Playing The Enemy: Nelson
Mandela" by John Carlin. The biographical sports
drama occurs during the 1995 rugby world cup after the a apartheid abolishment. - I have warned our boys that they're playing against world champions. They're a very good team, but I'm sure that we have a very good chance of emerging victorious. - [Narrator] Morgan
portrays Nelson Mandela, President
of South Africa, after being in prison for 27
years in Victor Verster Prison and the struggle to unite the nation and ease racial tension. - [Interviewer] And presumably, you've met him a number of times. - Yes. - [Interviewer] What was
it like the first time? - Try and imagine meeting
somebody that great, that well thought-of, that high up, and the human psyche. Meeting them for the first time, you know, you're pretty much tongue tied. What do you say after,
"Pleasure meeting you"? You know wha
t I'm saying? - [Interviewer] Yes. - Right? So that was my situation, too. I didn't have anything to say after "Carl, this is an honor", you know. (tires screeching) (metal and glass breaking) (police sirens wailing) (ominous music continues) - [Narrator] On August 3rd, 2008, Morgan was involved in a car accident when his 1997 Nissan Maxima rolled over while driving at night. (police sirens wailing) (ominous music continues) It was reported that Morgan
had over-corrected his steering causing the
car to spiral out of control, rolling it over several times
before coming to a rest. (brakes pumping) (wheels peeling) (glass breaking) Both Morgan and his
passenger, Demaris Meyer, were trapped inside the upturned vehicle and had to be cut free by responders with hydraulic cutting jaws. He was flown to the Regional
Medical Center in Memphis, where he discovered his left shoulder, arm and elbow were broken. (ominous music continues) After a four hour surgery, doctors had attempted to
repair ner
ve damage to his arm. It was expected he would
make a full recovery. However, he has since been left with reduced mobility in his left hand and is required to wear
a compression glove for the paralyzed hand,
suffering from fibromyalgia, a medical condition that
causes widespread chronic pain due to external factors, which otherwise wouldn't be so damaging. (ominous music continues) Demaris Meyer, Morgan's passenger, claimed Morgan was drinking alcohol prior to entering the car's driver seat. She
sued Morgan Freeman for negligence. However, it was eventually settled for an undisclosed amount. (crowd chatting) (melancholy jazz music continues) - Known to share his opinion when asked, Morgan expressed his opinion regarding Black History Month in an interview on the CBS television show, "60 Minutes", Morgan said he did not
want a Black History Month, as black history was American history. - Black History Month, you find? - Ridiculous - Why? - You're gonna relegate
my history to a month? -
Oh, come on - What do you do with yours? Which month is Life History Month? (Mike chuckles) Well come on, tell me. - Well, I'm Jewish. - Okay, which month is
Jewish History Month? - There isn't one. - Oh, oh. Why not? - [Mike] Yeah. - Do you want one? - No, no, no. - I don't either. I don't want a Black History Month. Black history is American history. - How are we gonna get rid of racism and, - Stop talking about it. I'm gonna stop calling you a "white man". - [Mike] Yeah. - And I'm gonna ask y
ou to
stop calling me a "black man". I know you as Mike Wallace,
you know me as Morgan Freeman. - [Narrator] During an interview in 1990, regarding the film "Glory",
Morgan also stated, "The black legacy is
as noble, is as heroic, is as filled with adventure, and conquest, and discovery, as anybody else's, it's just that nobody knows it". (tape spinning) - Morgan grew up in 1940s America when racial tension was high. Opportunities for African
Americans were sparse. (melancholy jazz music continu
es) Despite his talent for acting, most of his early roles in
theater during this period were all black productions. (crowd cheering and clapping) (melancholy jazz music continues) There is no doubt that Morgan
has an authoritative voice. One of reason, and understanding. He endorsed Barack
Obama's presidential bid, but also made it clear that he would not be joining
the presidential campaign. He also provided the voiceover for Hillary Clinton's
democratic presidential video. Morgan has since be
en used
as a powerful asset in media. In 2021, he appeared in a PSA, urging people to get the COVID-19 vaccine during the pandemic. - I'm Morgan Freeman. I'm not
a doctor, but I trust science. And I'm told that for some
reason, people trust me. So here I am to say, I trust
science and I got the vaccine. If you trust me, you'll get the vaccine. (popping) - [Narrator] This sparked
controversy on social media and Morgan found himself at its center with people questioning his integrity. (ambient mus
ic continues) This wouldn't be the first time he found himself in controversy. In 2018, an investigation
was published by CNN, in which eight women accused Freeman of being overly flirtatious by making inappropriate comments
while on the set of films or at his production company. It sparked a debate during the period when the "Me Too" movement was trending, and several "Me Too"
accusations had been made against many influential figures. Morgan worked closely
with TV actor, Bill Cosby, during his
time on the children's TV show, "The Electric Company". Bill was accused and
tried for sexual assault, after multiple women
spoke out against him. (ambient music continues) Bill was convicted of aggravated
indecent assault in 2018, however, it has since been vacated by the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. Morgan has since apologized to those who were negatively affected
by his misconstrued comments stating, "Anyone who knows
me or has worked with me knows I am not someone who would intentionally
offend or knowingly
make anyone feel uneasy. I apologize to anyone
who felt uncomfortable or disrespected, that
was never my intent". No further action was
taken against Morgan, and several journalists
responded to the story in defense of Morgan. (motivational music continues) - I have seen Morgan's
movies for a long time, long before anyone would
actually hire me as an actress. So, you know, Morgan is
an icon and a legend, and respected all around the world. And so for me it was a great honor t
o be able to work with him. You know, sometimes when
you don't know someone, you have this, you know, idea of them and you get to meet them and sometimes they don't live up to that expectation and getting the opportunity to meet Morgan and work with Morgan has
been just so extraordinary because the person behind that talent is just as extraordinary. - He is just a very talented actor and it's wonderful to watch him and learn. And I feel, you know, very
honored to be here tonight. It's quite an a
uspicious occasion. (group laughing) (crowd chatting) (motivational music continues) - Going to Rome, hey. (Morgan laughs) - [Interviewer] Not many downsides. - Not many downsides at all. - [Interviewer] Now, whatever
the film you're doing, everybody loves to watch you. You're a great actor, amazing voice. But do you enjoy watching yourself? - No. - [Interviewer] Really? - No. - [Interviewer] Why? - Well, - [Interviewer] You're pretty good. - Yeah, but you know,
when you watch yourself, you watc
h yourself. - [Interviewer] Okay. - And you see all the little foibles and things that you do, everything you do. Oh, Jesus. (Morgan laughs) "I remember doing that
and such and such effect. Oh, come on. No". (motivational piano music continues) - [Narrator] Morgan has played many roles from street hustlers to God. He is world renowned and
continues to be recognized as the best of his craft. - It was five years ago on this very stage that my dear and beloved friend Morgan Freeman presented this s
ame honor to me. (motivational piano music continues) And it was my wish even then because I love him so, that I could reciprocate and well, you know what? The stars aligned. Morgan is way more than just an actor, narrator, producer, humanitarian. This man is a national treasure. - [Narrator] Morgan Freeman received the Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication and
work in film and theater. His many achievements
and widespread popularity have also allowed him to receive the honor of receivin
g an Honorary Doctor
of Arts and Letters Degree from Delta State University, an Honorary Doctor of
Humane Letters Degree from Boston University. And he was bestowed the honor
of "Freedom of the City" by the city of London in 2014. (crowd chatting) (motivational music continues) - [Paparazzi] Straight
again, straight ahead! - [Narrator] He has
described himself as an intuitive actor, as
opposed to a method actor. - [Paparazzi] Oscar winner! - [Narrator] In recent years, Morgan has been more
conse
rvative with his roles and has valued his time at home, but a solitary life for a movie star who is still on the big screen
is a difficult life to lead. - I felt like giving a
few wrong directions. - [Interviewer] All right, definitely. You know, a lot of older people, they talk about feeling a
space to a certain extent, invisible as you get
older and imagine when, - Visible or invisible? - [Interviewer] Invisible, sorry. - Invisible. - [Interviewer] But
when you are so famous, can you relate to
that? - Well, we we're trying
to be old and invisible. - Right.
(Michael laughs) Right, yeah. - I spend half my time
trying to be old, I, no, I go home and watch television and do gardening and cooking. - And you stay at home. - And I do stay home.
Well, I have grandchildren. So I've got them around me. - I live in a very, very
small village in Mississippi. (Michael clears throat) And so most people got
used to the idea that I could come back home to live. It's done, I can't walk
the streets of
New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Rome, Paris, London. I can't walk the streets. And that's a little problematic. (ambient music continues) - [Narrator] The renowned
actor has since moved to a small village in Mississippi where he enjoys over 100 acres of land, tends to his bees as part
of a conservation effort and also lives out his
childhood dream of piloting. (ambient music continues) - [Interviewer] Thank
you, so group in together. - [Woman in Crowd] Morgan! Morgan! (crowd shouts) - [Intervie
wer] Well Morgan, how are you? Fred Medel, Fred TV. - From where? - [Fred] Fred TV, it's the best TV around. - Fred TV. Okay, it's the best. - [Fred] Congratulations on the film. - Thank you. - [Fred] Can you tell me
about your part in it? - No. Did you see it? - [Fred] I haven't seen it
yet. I'm looking forward to it. - Oh, well, okay, well when you see it, - [Fred] Yes. - I would be playing the
Director of Central Intelligence. - [Fred] Okay. - I'm probably the only
person in the movie that yo
u're gonna really wanna watch. - [Fred] Okay. - Okay? - [Fred] It's Morgan Freeman, of course! - Yeah, exactly and that's what you wanna, - [Narrator] With over 30
years on the big screen, and as a household name, Morgan Freeman works his way to the top and has left a legacy
which is still growing of amazing films. - No, I started out at age
about 15 to be a movie actor. I sort of, I went into the Air Force to be a fighter pilot, but
that lasted 20 minutes, once I got in there. No, I was always
trying
to be a movie actor. This is not a, you know,
this isn't serendipity. I mean, in terms of being here, this is the fight I've
been fighting all my life. It's kind of humbling that so many people were so happy that I had been named for this award. A lot of people say, well,
you know you're overdue, or maybe you are, maybe you aren't, but, that's, that's an accolade, you know. (ambient music continues) (ominous music)
Comments