“I do not ask myself what is down the road. Sometimes between now and never there will be another role… I am a firm believer that you get what you want. Make a distinction between what you want and what you would like to have. You would like to have everything. If you can narrow that list down, that is what you get” ("Morgan Freeman." UXL). Morgan freeman is seen in the film business as “one of the most well respected, and one of the versatile actors” in film today ("Morgan Freeman." UXL). Although Morgan freeman is living the luxurious life now, it was not like this in his past. Before all this fame, he was just like any other African American in his time facing every day issues including money, racism and at some point in his life he himself faced alcoholism.
Morgan freeman had a highly agitating and distraught childhood. Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee in a family of five children in which he was the youngest ("Morgan Freeman." Discovering Biography). “Struggling under the pressure of the Jim Crow laws in the south” ("Morgan Freeman" A&E Television). Living in a low income home, his “parents relocated to Chicago to find work” ("Morgan Freeman" A&E Television).. While his parents departed he remained with his grandmother who lived in Charlestown, Mississippi. Eventually under stress of hard times they were facing, freeman’s parents divorced. Later growing up he was always watching movies whether it be at his home or the movie theater to help get his mind off of any troubles he had. Watching movies eventually gave him the motivation and inspiration to pursue his acting career.
During the pursuit of his dream of having a successful career in acting he faced three major obstacles. The first obstacle he faced was racism since it was a major issue back in the nineteen hundreds; therefore it was hard for him to find any businesses that had any roles available for African American. Another obstacle Morgan Freeman faced was the lack of capital to help support himself and his family. His third obstacle was the alcoholism he developed from depression of his failed marriage and the stress of all the low points he had trying to start his career as an actor. Facing these issues made it hard for him to make any real progression in his acting career.
Going through distraught times Morgan freeman prevailed in finding away to overcome the three obstacles impeding on his career growth. Since racism was a major issue he was very persistent in looking for businesses to hire for African American roles. During an interview Morgan said “No one has ever said this to me, but I think I got a reputation as a troublemaker” ("Morgan Freeman." Newsmakers). Whenever he went for a part he would quietly ask about “what kind of roles they were offering African American actors” ("Morgan Freeman." Newsmakers). By asking the directors several questions about racism he often offended most of the directors that offered him roles, for they thought they were being noble by offering any role at all to African Americans ("Morgan Freeman." Newsmakers). Morgan freeman also became very picky about the roles that were being offered to him since racism was a very important issue. Being very fastidious about roles also meant that the opportunity for capital became scarce for freeman. In order to make ends meet he picked up a role as easy reader on PBS the children’s television show at the electric company Americans ("Morgan Freeman." Newsmakers). At first he enjoyed the role but later he began to become less fond of the role the more he played it. “It was not real acting but the money was good” and was enough to help support himself ("Morgan Freeman." Newsmakers). Morgan freeman became an alcoholic as a response to all the disappointing and sad moments in his career for a year. After “one morning he woke up face down on the floor, passed out from the previous nights bender he decided to quit drinking for good ("Morgan Freeman" A&E Television).
Morgan freeman was a person who became an iconic actor with a successful career in the film industry. He faced hard times like everyone else and had a dream. His journey to success was difficult facing racism, money problems and even alcoholism. He made his dream come true by making the necessary changes needed in order to make his life better and his career prosper. Something everyone can learn from his rise to success is and life is that no matter how far out of reach your dream or idea is as long as you have your priorities straight and perseverance with hard work you can reach your dream ("Morgan Freeman.").