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Morgan Freeman once said,“The best way to guarantee a loss is to quit.”If anyone’s taken this advice to heart, it’s the actor himself. Over the decades, he has worked tirelessly, proving time and again that quitting isn’t in his vocabulary.
From that unmistakable voice that could calm a wild bear to performances that tug at the heartstrings like a pro, this Tennessee-born actor, now 87, has made a career out of not playing by the rules. And who can blame him? When you’ve been in the game as long as he has, you get to do whatever the heck you want.
Morgan Freeman didn’t exactly storm onto the Hollywood scene as a fresh-faced teen, but, boy, when he did, he made one heck of an entrance. Known for his role in the educational showThe Electric Company(yep, that was him teaching us how to read), he’s since evolved into one of the most respected and beloved actors of his generation.
He has been the voice of reason in every movie fromThe Shawshank RedemptiontoInvictus, leaving us all thinking,“Why don’t we all just listen to this guy?”But let’s pause for a moment and think—how often has the Academy itself paused to award Freeman’s exceptional talent with that golden accolade?
TheseMorgan Freeman’s Flicks Nominated for Oscars, But Never Won
Morgan Freeman didn’t just waltz into Hollywood and get handed awards left and right. No, he had to earn his stripes, and that came in the form of multiple nominations. He first got his taste of Oscar attention in 1988 for his role as a streetwise hustler inStreet Smart, where he earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Then, in 1990, the actor, now 87, got his second Oscar nod for playing Hoke Colburn inDriving Miss Daisy.
Then came 1995, andThe Shawshank Redemption—arguably one of the most beloved films of all time. Freeman played Ellis Redding, the soulful inmate who becomes the voice of reason (and hope) in an otherwise bleak prison world. Nominated once again, the actor did not go home with the statue.
In 2010, Freeman was rightfully in the running for Best Actor for his portrayal of Nelson Mandela inInvictus. The Oscar? It may have slipped through his fingers again, but his place in movie history was firmly cemented.
When Did He Won His First Oscar: The Million Dollar Moment?
Now coming to 2005, and it’s finally Morgan Freeman’s time to shine.Clint Eastwood’sMillion Dollar Babyarrived like a punch to the gut, and Freeman’s performance was the one-two combo that landed him his first—and only—Academy Award.
Playing Eddie ‘Scrap-Iron’ Dupris, a former boxer who mentors Hilary Swank’s character, Freeman delivered a performance so moving, that it left viewers teary-eyed and speechless (probably because they were too busy silently begging the Academy to finally give him an Oscar).
WithMillion Dollar Babygrossing an impressive$216.8 millionand scooping up Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress for Swank, Freeman was awarded Best Supporting Actor.
Morgan Freeman – A Legacy of Awards & Nominations Beyond the Oscar
But Morgan Freeman’s trophy shelf isn’t just filled with Oscars. Oh no, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. He has also earned a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy for his role inDriving Miss Daisy, where he played the charming and dignified chauffeur to Jessica Tandy’s Daisy Werthan.
Then, there’s his Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor inMillion Dollar Baby, a film that clearly gave Freeman the opportunity to shine in a way that had been long overdue.
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But let’s not kid ourselves—his awards are about as diverse as his range. He didn’t stop at films. His television credits have earned him numerous Primetime Emmy nominations, too.
Freeman got a nod for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his hilarious and self-aware turn inThe Kominsky Method(2021), but that’s not the end of it. His voice—oh, that voice—has become the gold standard for narration. Whether he’s taking you through the icy wilds of Antarctica inMarch of the Penguins 2: The Next Step(2018), or narrating the epic journey of life itself inLife on Our Planet(2024), he has made us realize that we could listen to him read the phone book and still be mesmerized.
As for lifetime achievements, Freeman has racked up an impressive collection of honorary awards. He received the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors in 2008, a well-deserved recognition of his impact on American culture. His AFI Life Achievement Award in 2011 and the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2012 cemented his status as a Hollywood legend. And in 2018, he was honored with the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award, acknowledging his contributions to the craft and his long-standing dedication to his art.
From the Academy to the stage, television to documentaries, Freeman has earned his place among the greats. His numerous nominations and wins tell the story of a man who’s not just an actor, but a true artist. While some may argue that Freeman’s Oscar win forMillion Dollar Babywas a long time coming, there’s no denying the fact that his career is a towering achievement in itself—one that continues to inspire, entertain, and leave audiences in awe.
Working Since 1964, But Only One Oscar For Morgan Freeman, Why?
But here’s the thing that blows most people’s minds: despite being one of the most iconic actors of all time, Morgan Freeman has won exactly one Academy Award. Yeah, just one. That’s right. One golden statue for Best Supporting Actor inMillion Dollar Baby. Now, we all know the Oscars can be a little, shall we say, eccentric with their choices, but one win for the man who’s been around as long as Freeman? It just doesn’t seem to add up, does it?
After all, his career is as decorated as a Christmas tree in Times Square. The man’s been in everything fromBruce AlmightytoThe Dark Knighttrilogy.
But let’s not get hung up on the fact that Freeman has only won one Oscar. It’s not about the hardware; it’s about the legacy. He has been nominated for five Academy Awards, and with roles inThe Shawshank Redemption,Street Smart, andInvictus, it’s safe to say he’s been overlooked about as often as a snowstorm in the desert.
It’s easy to get caught up in the number of Oscars an actor wins. But sometimes the true measure of greatness isn’t about the hardware—it’s about the impact. And his impact? Well, let’s just say it’s huge. We’ve seen him play everything from a corrupt cop (Se7en) to a presidential advisor (Deep Impact), but no matter the role, Freeman owns it. Some actors act, but Freeman becomes the character. And that’s the secret sauce that keeps him in the spotlight, no matter what age he’s at.
Morgan Freeman Should Have Won forThe Shawshank Redemption, Se7en, &Invictus
When it comes toMorgan Freeman, the phrase“long overdue”doesn’t even begin to cover it. The man has been gracing our screens with his commanding presence, velvety voice, and flawless performances for decades, yet somehow, he’s only walked away with one Academy Award.
So, let’s take a stroll down memory lane and look at some iconic roles where Freeman was snubbed. TakeThe Shawshank Redemptionfor instance, which failed at the box office but was seen as a critical masterpiece later on. If ever there was a performance that should have been a slam dunk for Best Supporting Actor, it was Freeman as Ellis “Red” Redding. He wasn’t just playing a prison inmate; he was the heart and soul of the film. His character’s wisdom, humanity, and vulnerability gave the film its emotional core.
If you’ve ever watched this Frank Darabont’s flick, you feel that line in your bones. Freeman’s performance was so layered, so rich, that it practically oozed Oscar gold. Yet, when the envelopes were opened at the 1995 Academy Awards, it was Martin Landau forEd Woodwho walked away with the statuette. A fine actor, sure, but was his performance more iconic than Freeman’s Red? And it’s not just us—the film itself has since become one of the most beloved movies of all time, constantly ranked at the top of best films ever lists.
And let’s not forget aboutSe7en, where Freeman once again brought his A-game in a role that was gritty, understated, and oozing with gravitas. As Detective Somerset, a weary man just days away from retirement, he delivered a performance so magnetic, it practically pulled you into the dark, disturbing world of the film. His quiet, methodical approach contrasted perfectly with Brad Pitt’s explosive Detective Mills, creating a dynamic that helped elevateSe7eninto the realm of cinematic perfection.
Se7enwas a box-office juggernaut, grossing awhopping$327 million worldwide, but somehow, Freeman’s haunting portrayal of Somerset was overlooked by the Academy.
Again, a worthy performance, but Freeman as Somerset was the anchor ofSe7en. His calm wisdom was the calm before the storm of that now-legendary twist ending. How the Academy failed to recognize that, we’ll never know.
Now, let’s talk about Invictus, the film where Freeman portrayed the one and only Nelson Mandela. If you’ve seen the film, you know Freeman didn’t just play Mandela—he became Mandela. He embodied the character with such poise and depth, that it was as if Mandela himself was sitting there in front of us, delivering his messages of peace, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
Directed by Clint Eastwood and co-starring Matt Damon,Invictuswas a triumph both commercially and critically, grossing over $122 million worldwide (seeBox Office Mojo).
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Freeman’s portrayal was universally praised, and yet, when the Oscar nominations came around, it was Jeff Bridges forCrazy Heartwho snagged the Best Actor win.
So what’s the deal, Academy? Freeman’s performances inThe Shawshank Redemption,Se7en, andInvictusshould’ve been more than enough to solidify him as one of the greatest actors of his generation. Sure, his win forMillion Dollar Babyin 2005 was well-deserved, but if anyone should’ve been able to walk into the Dolby Theatre with multiple Oscars in hand, it’s this man.
He’s been nominated five times over the years, but it’s still baffling how, in some of the most iconic films of the 1990s and 2000s, Freeman didn’t get the recognition he truly deserved. In fact, if the Oscars were a poker game, Freeman would have had the hand of a lifetime—and yet, the Academy kept folding.
But then again, maybe that’s just the way the cookie crumbles in Hollywood. Freeman doesn’t need validation from the Academy—his work speaks for itself. Still, one can’t help but wonder, what if?
Siddhika Prajapati
Senior Journalist & Content Head
Articles Published :3309
With over 3,300 articles carved into the digital walls of FandomWire, Siddhika Prajapati excels at creating, curating, and elevating engaging stories. She takes pride in giving these stories a home and, of course, she’s got a Google Knowledge Panel to prove it!Whether it’s reviewing the latest drop on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Apple TV+, or analyzing the cultural echoes of a streaming hit on Paramount+ or Max, Siddhika is always writing three steps ahead of the discourse.
