Morgan Freeman | Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard

Morgan Freeman discusses his unique life journey, from a challenging childhood to achieving stardom later in life. He reflects on his experiences with fame, his love for sailing, and the importance of perseverance. He also shares insights on his perspectives on God, acting, and the challenges of aging.

Early Life

• 00:03:56 Morgan Freeman was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and had a challenging childhood marked by moving frequently and experiencing poverty. He lived with his maternal grandmother after his parents divorced, and he was raised by both of his grandmothers.

Acting Career

• 00:06:43 Freeman's acting career began at the age of 8, and he has been in the industry for over 60 years. He shares that his passion was always in film, not theater, and he worked various jobs before achieving success as an actor.

Press and Fame

• 00:02:47 Freeman acknowledges the often uncomfortable and repetitive nature of press tours, and he shares that he sometimes feels like a fraud when he repeats himself. He prefers to be private and avoids being pied, as he doesn't want people to know about his personal life.

Memory Loss

• 00:04:46 Freeman openly discusses his experience with memory loss, which he refers to as 'can't remember [ __ ]'. He reveals that he has difficulty remembering recent events, but his long-term memory seems intact.

Unforgiven

• 00:41:44 Freeman fondly remembers his experience working with Clint Eastwood on the film 'Unforgiven', and he shares that he believes it was a pivotal moment in his career. He feels the film solidified his reputation as a legendary actor, and he admires Eastwood's directing style.

Director Preferences

• 00:43:45 Freeman shares his preference for directors who let actors work independently, like Clint Eastwood. He contrasts Eastwood's style with David Fincher's more conceptual approach, which he finds less appealing.

Sailing

• 00:14:08 Freeman describes his love for sailing as a way to escape from the limitations of life and embrace a sense of freedom. He discusses his passion for the sport and the dangers it presents, especially in the doldrums, a zone with little to no wind.

Death

• 00:17:55 Freeman shares his candid thoughts on death, explaining that he accepts it as part of life. He doesn't fear it but does not want to experience a drawn-out illness or death in a hospital.