Born in Memphis, TN; educated at Los Angeles Community College (CA) and the Pasadena (CA) Playhouse. Distinguishing himself onstage with an impressive range of parts, Freeman methodically worked his way from song-and-dance man (as Rudolph in the Pearl Bailey version of Hello, Dolly! and in the title role of Purlie!) to Shakespearean performer (winning an Obie for Coriolanus) to the lead of a series of interesting, offbeat productions on and off Broadway (copping another Obie for Driving Miss Daisy). Despite his impressive stage work, Freeman was for many years best known as Easy Reader on the PBS children's show, "The Electric Company," from 1971 through 1976. Although Freeman's TV work increased steadily during the 1970s, work in features was not immediately forthcoming for the versatile actor. He made his debut in WHO SAYS I CAN'T RIDE A RAINBOW? (1971), and, nine years later, was singled out by critic Pauline Kael for his work in the tough prison drama BRUBAKER (1980). Still, Freeman stalled in routine roles in TEACHERS (1984) and MARIE (1985), until he received his first Oscar nomination and considerable critical acclaim for his work as the volatile pimp Fast Black in STREET SMART (1987). A second Oscar nomination, and belated leading man status, came when he reprised his off-Broadway role as a southern chauffeur in DRIVING MISS DAISY (1989). With his intense, expressive demeanor and unwavering dignity and grace, Freeman subsequently turned in outstanding performances in GLORY (1989), the story of the first unit of black soldiers during the Civil War, and the western UNFORGIVEN (1992), in which he played the hard-boiled, no-nonsense foil to recidivist gunslinger Clint Eastwood. His role in the latter, as well as his part as Kevin Costner's sidekick in ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES (1991), have marked the still uncommon occasions when a black actor was cast in a role not initially created as a black character. Freeman made his feature directorial debut in the story of a black South African policeman and his son divided by apartheid in BOPHA! (1993). He has yet to direct another feature, although he does act as executive producer on some of his films. Other notable (non-nominated) credits include EYEWITNESS (1981), HARRY AND SON (1984), MARIE (1985), CLEAN AND SOBER (1988), LEAN ON ME (1989), THE BONFIRE OF THE VANITIES (1990), OUTBREAK and SE7EN (both 1995), MOLL FLANDERS and CHAIN REACTION (both 1996), KISS THE GIRLS and AMISTAD (both 1997), HARD RAIN and DEEP IMPACT (both 1998), UNDER SUSPICION (also exec. producer) and NURSE BETTY (both 2000), ALONG CAME A SPIDER (2001, also exec. producer), HIGH CRIMES, PARTNERS OF THE HEART and THE SUM OF ALL FEARS (all 2002), LEVITY (also exec. producer), DREAMCATCHER and BRUCE ALMIGHTY (all 2003), THE BIG BOUNCE and A REMARKABLE PROMISE (both 2004), DANNY THE DOG, BATMAN BEGINS, AN UNFINISHED LIFE, LA MARCHE DE L'EMPEREUR / MARCH OF THE PENGUINS (US narration) and EDISON (all 2005), LUCKY NUMBER SLEVIN, 10 ITEMS OR LESS (also exec. prod.) and THE CONTRACT (all 2006), EVAN ALMIGHTY, GONE BABY GONE, FEAST OF LOVE and THE BUCKET LIST (all 2007), WANTED, THE DARK KNIGHT, THE CODE and THE LONELY MAIDEN (also producer) (all scheduled for 2008), and THE LAST FULL MEASURE, THE HUMAN FACTOR (also producer) and RENDEZVOUS WITH RAMA (all announced for 2009).  Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role 1987: STREET SMART  Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role 1989: DRIVING MISS DAISY  Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role 1994: THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION  Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role 2004: MILLION DOLLAR BABY 4 nominations, 1 Award