Morgan Freeman Wins 39th AFI Lifetime Achievement Award
Morgan Freeman can cross one more crowning achievement off his bucket list. Of course, after playing an almost too believable God in the 2003 comedy Evan Almighty, few have doubted how high or far Freeman could possible reach. The American Film Institute has chosen to honor Freeman as the 39th recipient of the Lifetime Achievement award, only the second African-American to ever receive such prestigious recognition, with Sidney Portier marking the first selection in 1992. Of course, were Freeman to have written this he would likely omit his skin color all together, well documented in his preference to avoid racial distinctions and celebrate common humanity. Such wisdom and earnesty has earned Freeman a number of devout fans both on and off screen across all population segments. Freeman’s presence across film and television cannot go unnoticed, commanding instant respect and credibility on voice alone, breaking the proverbial Tom Hanks barrier.The man who would go on to star in gut-wrenching adult dramas such as Shawshank Redemption, Street Smart and Seven, Freeman first made himself known to American audiences from the ground up, quite literally, starring in the PBS children’s show The Electric Company, bringing life to less timeless roles such as “Easy Reader,” the cool, literature-craving hipster played off of “Easy Rider,” and “Vincent the Vegetable Vampire,” garnering far less of the young audience than his fanged Twilight brethren. Almost More than a full decade later, Freeman would finally rise to the level of critical acclaim with which his name is now synonymous, as the late 80′s saw his star rise to new heights. Freeman was nominated for academy awards in both Street Smart (1987) and Driving Miss Daisy (1989), also playing a major role in the hit Civil War film Glory (1989), among other projects. Over the past 20 years Freeman has seen almost unprecedented longevity, still appearing in unforgettably eye-opening tales, memorable comedies and jaw dropping thrillers, picking scripts and roles with an eerily divine savvy. At age 73, Freeman has accomplished more than most in Hollywood could ever dream of, but don’t expect him to slow down now, if ever.