Widely acclaimed as one of the most iconic stars of Hollywood, Morgan Freeman shares a profound love for acting and the world of cinema. In fact, in one of his interviews, the Hollywood legend expressed his unwavering dedication to his craft, even confessing that he wouldn’t mind breathing his last breath while performing. While Freeman’s illustrious career spans both film and the stage, the celebrated actor initially made his mark in theater, a common starting point for many aspiring performers. However, unlike many other actors, Freeman once admitted that he preferred movies over the stage.

Being brutally honest about why he will ‘never set foot’ on any live stage again, Freeman revealed what exactly makes him like the silver screen more than the stage.

READ MORE: Morgan Freeman Begged $73M Movie to Change “Terrible Title”, 29 Years Later it’s the Most Well-Known Movie on the Planet

Morgan Freeman opens up on his love for movies over the stage

Reflecting on his early days, Morgan Freeman recounted his breakthrough role in a Broadway play, back in 1967. However, it was the silver screen that held the ultimate allure for him, as he pursued his true aspiration of becoming a movie actor. He told The New York Times,

“I really spent 20 years in theater trying to get into the movies. From childhood that’s what I wanted to do. Mostly I don’t want to do stage. It’s too much work. Movies, you do a little work, make a lot of money and move on. I like that. And I think I’ve paid my dues.”

Furthermore, he revealed the exhaustion he felt while working in plays. He added, “I will never set foot on anybody’s live stage again. Two months into performances we would go on stage, look at each other and go, ‘What the f*** are we doing here?’”

And not just the stage, Freeman also revealed that he isn’t fond of working in television shows. He said, “It’s a job, 9 to 5, five days a week.”

It’s clear that the London Has Fallen actor’s preference for film over theater arises from the contrasting demands of each medium. While stage productions demand extensive physical and mental exertion due to the live nature of performances, Freeman highlights the relatively more manageable workload and financial rewards that come with acting in movies.

READ MORE: 2023 Oscar Nominee Andrea Riseborough Said $287M Tom Cruise, Morgan Freeman Movie Was as Bad as “Shredding duck in a Chinese restaurant”

When Morgan Freeman took a theatrical detour despite hating the live stage

Freeman’s relentless pursuit of his silver screen dreams eventually paid off, as he landed his breakthrough role in the critically acclaimed film The Shawshank Redemption. And from that point on, he embarked on a remarkable cinematic journey, captivating audiences across the globe with his exceptional talent and powerful on-screen presence.

However, he once found himself contemplating the potential drawbacks of solely being recognized as a movie actor. Recognizing the risk of becoming typecast, Freeman acknowledged the importance of versatility and the need to break free from perceived limitations.

While talking about these limitations, Freeman said,“Earlier in your career you’re more chameleonlike. Nobody knows you. You can shape-shift and pull it off, but after a while, and this is the whole stardom thing, after a while it doesn’t come across. You get boxed in film.”

Revealing that exploring his talent is the only reason why he would agree to perform on a live stage again, the Oblivion actor continued,

“There’s a finite number of characters who are like that before you start repeating yourself ad nauseam. I think that’s the bigger danger than being Mr. Gravitas. You look at your last work and say, ‘That’s four characters in a row that said, did, thought, acted the same. They’re going to find me out any minute now.’”

READ MORE: Morgan Freeman Insulted Zack Snyder’s ‘Dawn of Justice’, Claimed Henry Cavill and Ben Affleck Were Not Enough to Beat Christian Bale’s ‘The Dark Knight’

Well, whether on the stage or the silver screen, Freeman’s dedication shines through, entertaining and mesmerizing his audiences with his remarkable talent and enduring love for his chosen art form.

Source: The New York Times, CBS