Oscar-winner Morgan Freeman has been in the business for over four decades, during which time he's delighted youngsters on The Electric Company, driven Miss Daisy, led the White House vs. an asteroid, hunted serial killers, trained Hilary Swank, helped Batman, played God, fought apartheid, gunslinged his way through the Wild West, sent penguins along the circle of life with the power of his voice, and introduced the CBS Evening News. He's earned that reputation for doling out movie wisdom with the best of 'em. With so many great performances to choose from, what's your favorite Freeman role?
I'd bet good money most folks would pick Freeman's turn as Red in The Shawshank Redemption, but you know, I always thought that flick was a tad overrated. I'm sorry! (No I'm not. And seriously, why is it the number one favorite movie of every adult male of a certain generation?)
So I'm going to go out on a limb and share one of my favorite Freeman characters: Azeem in the oft-maligned Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Freeman's dedicated Moor warrior was as compelling as Kevin Costner's accent, or lack thereof, was ridiculous. Look, it was 1991. I was 10. He was my second-favorite thing about that movie after the hit single "Everything I Do (I Do It For You)." And just look at how he does with one speech what Costner's Robin Hood can't manage to do with ten times the number of forest pep talks!
If you would be freemen and women, so to speak, join me now! Leave your favorite Freeman roles in the comments below.