Morgan Freeman

Season 11, Episode 1103

Original Airdate: January 2, 2005

Born in 1937 in Memphis, Tennessee, Morgan Freeman headed West to study acting at Los Angeles Community College before serving in the U.S. Air Force.

After getting work in an off-Broadway production of “The Niggerlovers” and an African-American production of “Hello Dolly,” he moved to the television screen as “Easy Rider” and “Count Dracula” on the Childrens Television Workshop's “The Electric Company.”

Morgan's groundbreaking role in “Street Smart” where he portrayed a ruthless thug earned him his first Academy Award nomination. Another one followed just two years later for “Driving Miss Daisy.” Other memorable parts in films such as “Glory,” “Unforgiven” which was directed by Clint Eastwood, “Shawshank Redemption” for which he earned another Oscar nomination, “Se7en,” “Amistad,” and “Bruce Almighty,” have made him one of the most respected actors in the industry.

In 2005, Morgan teamed up with Clint Eastwood again to create “Million Dollar Baby.” This was to be his year, as he finally took home the well-deserved Academy Award for Best Actor in a supporting role.