Do any of us remember a young Morgan Freeman? For many, it may feel as if they have no memory of any images of a young Freeman on screen, and the reason may be more inspiring than not!
After taking on many small and obscure starring roles, Freeman's career only started in the 'big-time' at the age of 50 when he appeared in 1987's Street Smart as a violent street hustler, a role that differed from his previous fatherly roles. This earned him praise from film critics, also earning him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. The actor would later state that he considers this as his breakthrough role.
Here are our top three of some of his most memorable film roles to date:
- Shawshank Redemption (1994)
Frank Darabont's Oscar-nominated masterpiece is a tale of 'bromance' where Freeman and Tim Robbins co-star as a pair of convicts sentenced to rot in Maine's notorious Shawshank State Prison. Although it was inspired by a Stephen King novella, the film isn't a horror story, which is what King is famous for. Far from it. Rather, it is a touching focus on friendship as these two doomed souls struggle to remain hopeful in a place where hope goes to die.
- Driving Miss Daisy (1989)
A timeless film, his role on Driving Miss Daisy went from a play into a screen role that Freeman managed to seamlessly bring to life. This is the platonic love story between an African-American chauffeur and his elderly Southern matron employer, both of whom are dependent on each other despite the racial divide. Freeman gave dignity and authenticity to his character as Hoke Colburn, which earned him the Best Actor in a Leading Role Academy Award nomination. The film also went on to win three other Academy Awards.
- Million Dollar Baby (2004)
Reuniting with Clint Eastwood on a film, Freeman gave this supporting role a knockout performance full of subtle emotional jabs. While Eastwood is the lead here, playing an ageing trainer who is reluctant to take on a fire-spirited girl (Hilary Swank) who thinks she can be a boxer. And their slow-burning teacher-pupil/father-daughter relationship is the beating heart of the film. That story, however, wouldn't work without Freeman as Eastwood's oldest friend and conscience, Scrap, who knows just how to defrost his pal's icy facade. This performance earned Freeman the Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role Academy Award, which is his first and only Academy Award till today.
Please let us know if one of his latest offerings, Vanquish, deserves to be on this list or not.
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