Morgan Freeman Net Worth: From Mississippi Boy to Hollywood Icon

Morgan Freeman is an accomplished American actor, producer and narrator with a career spanning over five decades and multiple film genres.

He gained recognition for his roles in street-smart dramas and historical films, earning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in Clint Eastwood’s Million Dollar Baby.

Freeman is also known for his distinctive voice, which has led to his narration of numerous documentary projects, including March of the Penguins and The Story of God with Morgan Freeman.

Additionally, he served in the United States Air Force before returning to his acting career, eventually becoming one of the most respected figures in modern US cinema.

Background

Freeman was born on June 1, 1937, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Mayme Edna and Morgan Porterfield Freeman.

His father was a barber, and his mother was a teacher.

Freeman’s early life was marked by frequent moves, living in Mississippi, Indiana and Chicago due to his parents’ search for work.

His maternal great-great-grandfather, Alfred Carr, was Caucasian, with English ancestry, who had children with Morgan’s black great-great-grandmother, Celia Johnson, in Mississippi.

Freeman’s ancestry includes 83% Sub-Saharan African and 17% European heritage.

Net worth

Freeman’s net worth is estimated to be $250 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. 

This wealth has been accumulated primarily through his work as an actor, producer and narrator in the film and television industry.

Freeman has built a reputation for his distinctive voice and critically acclaimed performances, earning him leading roles in films like Driving Miss Daisy.

In addition to his acting career, he also earns income through his work as a spokesperson and business owner, including being a part-owner of Ground Zero Blues Club.

Salary per movie

Freeman earns a salary of £118,805,332.00 per year, according to WageIndicator.

However, it is important to note that this figure is not confirmed and may not reflect his actual earnings. 

According to Market Realist, Freeman earns $10 million per movie, with annual income of $20 million, and sources of income including acting, voice acting and production.

Freeman’s salary for the film, Kiss The Girls, was reportedly $5 million.

March of the Penguins

For his role in the acclaimed documentary, March of the Penguins, Freeman reportedly earned between $1 million and $2 million.

The documentary, which was released in 2005, follows the arduous journey of emperor penguins in Antarctica as they travel to their breeding grounds.

Freeman’s distinctive and captivating voice added depth and emotion to the story, making it a commercial success and earning critical acclaim.

The documentary grossed over $127 million worldwide, making it the second-highest-grossing documentary of all time.

Freeman’s voiceover work has also been featured in other successful projects, including the documentary, The Story of God with Morgan Freeman, and the animated film, The Lego Movie.

Real estate

Freeman owns real estate properties, including a sprawling estate in Charleston and a penthouse in NYC.

He is also the owner of Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, Mississippi, and has turned his 124-acre ranch in Mississippi into a bee sanctuary as part of his environmental efforts.

Acting career

Freeman gained recognition for his roles in street-smart dramas and historical films, earning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in Clint Eastwood’s Million Dollar Baby.

He is also known for his distinctive voice, which has led to his narration of numerous documentary projects, including March of the Penguins and The Story of God with Morgan Freeman.

Freeman made his directorial debut with the drama Bopha! in 1993 and co-founded Revelations Entertainment with business partner Lori McCreary in 1996.

His early life was marked by frequent moves and a passion for music and theater, leading to his acting debut at age nine.

Freeman served in the United States Air Force before returning to his acting career, eventually becoming one of the most respected figures in modern US cinema.

Military stint

Freeman served in the United States Air Force from 1955 to 1959, achieving the rank of Airman First Class.

He initially enlisted with aspirations of becoming a fighter pilot, but after more than a year of waiting, he realized that acting was his true calling.

During his service, Freeman worked as an Automatic Tracking Radar repairman, maintaining and repairing radar systems used for tracking aircraft and missiles.

After completing his military service, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career, eventually becoming one of the most respected figures in modern US cinema.

Awards and accolades

Freeman has won an Academy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

He has also been awarded the Kennedy Center Honor in 2008, an AFI Life Achievement Award in 2011, the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2012 and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award in 2018.

Freeeman films have earned over $3 billion in cumulative ticket sales, making him one of the most successful actors in the industry.

He is known for his distinctive deep voice and has narrated numerous documentary projects, including March of the Penguins and The Story of God with Morgan Freeman.

Freeman co-founded film production company Revelations Entertainment with Lori McCreary in 1996.

Philanthropic efforts

Freeman is the founder of the Grenada Relief Fund, which was established in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

The fund has since been renamed PLAN!T NOW and provides resources for disaster preparedness and relief efforts.

Freeman is also a passionate advocate for environmental causes, serving as a spokesperson for Earth Biofuels and supporting the Mississippi Animal Rescue League.

He has also been involved in disaster relief efforts in Grenada, raising funds for hurricane victims.

Freeman’s philanthropic efforts extend beyond entertainment and into the realm of disaster preparedness, education, and environmental conservation.

Personal life

Freeman has four children from different relationships.

His first child, Alfonso, was born in 1959 to Loletha Adkins.

Alfonso is also an actor and has appeared in films like The Shawshank Redemption and Se7en with his father.

In 1960, Freeman had another son, Saifoulaye, whose mother’s identity remains unknown.

His first marriage was to Jeanette Adair Bradshaw, with whom he had a daughter, Morgana, and adopted Bradshaw’s eldest daughter, Deena.

Freeman’s second marriage was to Myrna Colley-Lee, but it is unclear if they had any children together.

He has been open about how his career took priority over his family in his early years, but he values his role as a father and grandfather now.

Divorce settlement

Freeman’s divorce settlement with his ex-wife, Myrna Colley-Lee, was $100-200 million in real estate and cash, according to Celebrity Net Worth.

The couple was married for 26 years, from 1984 to 2010, and their divorce was finalized in September 2010.

The settlement amount is not confirmed, and the exact details of the divorce settlement are not publicly disclosed.

Freeman has been open about the impact of the divorce on his personal life, stating that the separation was difficult and that he has since focused on his career and philanthropic efforts.