Is there anyone who doesn't love Morgan Freeman? The Academy Award winner has appeared in some of the most iconic Hollywood films of all time -- Driving Miss Daisy, The Shawshank Redemption, Million Dollar Baby and more. The man is a major box office draw who's deep recognizable drawl was even used as the voice of God in Bruce Almighty. With multiple Golden Globe Awards under his belt, Freeman has an unforgettable acting career that was completely deserving of his AFI Life Achievement Award.
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Legendary film career aside, Freeman is now one of the latest major stars to sign on to work with Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan. Freeman stars alongside Nicole Kidman and Zoe Saldana in Sheridan's new CIA thriller Special Ops: Lioness, which premieres on Paramount+ on July 23. Freeman has a slew of memorable thrillers on his resume (hello High Crimes and Kiss the Girls), so he'll fit right into the world that centers around a real female undercover ops division in the military. With all that star power, how successful is Morgan Freeman? Turns out, he's got a pretty hefty net worth.
Here's everything to know about the beloved actor's net worth, southern upbringing, and a unique hobby he developed years ago.
Morgan Freeman's Net Worth
After decades in Hollywood, Celebrity Net Worth estimates that Freeman is worth around $250 million. The 86-year-old star has been a staple in the film industry since his big break in the 1987 thriller Street Smart which earned him his first Oscar nod for Best Supporting Actor. He's since played Nelson Mandela, Batman's research genius Lucius Fox in The Dark Knight trilogy and psychologist Alex Cross in memorable adaptations of two James Patterson novels.
Southern Born and Raised
Though Freeman was born in Memphis, Tennessee, he grew up with his grandmother in Charleston, Mississippi. He actually won his first acting award there for a school play! Despite growing up in the deep South during the time of segregation, Freeman loves his home state and after establishing his career, he decided to move back home. In 1991, he purchased his grandmother's old property from his parents and still lives there today, commuting all over the United States from California to New York for his acting work. He even co-owns a blues club in the nearby town of Clarksdale.
While it's hard to think about a time before Freeman was starring in everything, it actually was quite a process for him to find success in Los Angeles. He served in the United States Air Force before studying at the Pasadena Playhouse, learned dancing in San Francisco, where he joined a musical theater troupe, and eventually made his New York City Off-Broadway debut in a production centered around the Civil Rights Movement. A role in Hello, Dolly! followed before he started appearing on camera. Decades later, he's appeared in countless films -- Glory, War of the Worlds, and Clint Eastwood's masterpiece Unforgiven included. Whether he's the lead or showing up in a strong supporting role, the man is an American treasure who has worked with some of the best directors in Hollywood history. There's no one else like him.
Actor and Beekeeper
But we can add something else to the American actor's already incredibly impressive resume -- Beekeeper. That's right. The beloved actor explained to Jimmy Fallon in 2014 how much he enjoyed his new hobby. Apparently, because he's the one feeding his bees, they completely trust him because he "resonates" with them. Maybe the secret to beekeeping is having a calm deep voice and relaxing presence like Freeman?
"I've discovered I don't have to put on a bee suit or anything to feed them. I've never been stung. I'm never gonna get stung."
Freeman later explained to Stephen Colbert that he will put on a full beekeeper suit during harvest, but that they really don't bother him when he just goes in to check things out or to feed them their sugar water. The actor has turned his hobby into a full-time project, importing 26 hives from Arkansas that have filled his Mississippi ranch. He even has planted bee-friendly plants all over his property, including magnolia trees, lavender, clover, and more.
This probably goes without saying, but Freeman isn't breeding bees for profit. With that net worth, he hardly needs it. The actor explained to Larry King that he really thought it was important based on what scientists are saying about the current state of bees dying on our planet.
"There's been a frightening loss of bee colonies, particularly in this country," Freeman explained in 2016. "To such an extent that the scientists are now saying, 'This is dangerous.'"
