Morgan Freeman’s versatility made him one of the legendary stars in Hollywood. This 85-year-old actor has performed in various roles from children’s television to Shakespearean drama. His versatility made him among the few African American actors who were always picked to perform roles that were not intended for Black actors.
The veteran actor was best known for his appearance in “Driving Miss Daisy” (1989), “Lean on Me” (1989), “Glory” (1989), and “Million Dollar Baby” (2004). Being active in show business earned him multiple accolades, including an Academy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and a Golden Globe Award. Other recognition he received included the Kennedy Center Honor (2008), the AFI Life Achievement Award (2011), the Cecil B. DeMille Award (2012), and the Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award (2018).
It’s no surprise how Freeman attracts the media’s attention a lot, being one of the legendary actors in Hollywood. However, he did not only get media recognition because of his top-notch acting, undeniable charisma on screen, and iconic voice. He’d been the talk of the town, too, because of his personal life. Success always comes with a price and, in the award-winning actor’s case, it’s getting involved in rumors and sensational scandals. Some individuals have even cast doubts on his sexuality. Is Morgan Freeman gay? Let’s uncover the truth.
VOTE: What is Morgan Freeman’s Sexuality?
View this post on Instagram
Morgan Freeman’s Past Relationships
Jeanette Adair Bradshaw (1967-1979)
Morgan Freeman had been through two marriages. His first marriage was with Jeanette Adair Bradshaw. The couple was married for 12 years, from 1967 to 1979. They have two children — Morgana Freeman and Deena, Jeanette’s child from a previous relationship whom Morgan had later adopted.
Neither Freeman nor Bradshaw spoke about the reason for their breakup. However, rumor has it that it was caused by Morgan’s infidelity.
Myrna Colley-Lee (1984-2010)
After getting a divorce from his first marriage, the actor married Myrna Colley-Lee. Myrna was said to be close to Morgan’s children and grandchildren. They even raised his step-granddaughter, E’Dena Hines, together. The couple had been married for over two decades before getting a divorce. The cause was reported to be — again — Morgan’s infidelity.
[Myrna] and Morgan Freeman were caught up amid a legal battle for three very long years. Morgan Freeman continued to deny allegations of infidelity, and Myrna Colley-Lee stood steadfast in her expectations for what she felt she was owed after 26 years of marriage.”
The Things reported
Aside from his ex-wives, Morgan Freeman was also linked to several women outside of marriage. And here are some of them.
Loletha Adkins
There was limited information about Morgan Freeman’s relationship with Loletha Adkins, the mother of his son, Alfonso Freeman. The affair was said to be short. Alfonso, who was born on September 13, 1959, is not just the spitting image of his dad. He is an award-winning actor, as well.
Demaris Meyer (2009)
The award-winning actor was rumored to have had a love affair with Demaris Meyer. This was after they were involved in a car crash together which injured them both. Meyer, however, denied the claim that she was Freeman’s mistress. She, in fact, filed a lawsuit against the actor.
I have been labeled as the other woman and have been accused of having caused the breakup of Mr. Freeman’s marriage. Nothing could be further from the truth. I had hoped and prayed that Mr. Freeman or his representatives would have set the record straight and cleared my name, but they have not done so and that is why I have chosen to come forward to tell the truth about our relationship.”
Demaris Meyer clarified
Marcia Gay Harden (2016)
Morgan Freeman and his The Maiden Heist co-actor Marcia Gay Harden shared a steamy kiss on the CBS Summer Soiree red carpet. There was not much information about their romance but the public display of affection was enough proof that, at one point, they were an item.
The veteran actor was also linked to Rita Moreno and Debbie Allen. So little was known about both relationships, as well.
Morgan Freeman has another son, Saifoulaye Freeman, who was born in 1960. Saifoulaye’s mother’s identity was, however, not known to the public.
Past Controversies
Morgan Freeman was involved in a lot of controversies. Several women had actually accused him of inappropriate behavior and sexual harassment.
A young production assistant who used to work with the actor in the bank heist comedy “Going In Style” (2015) told CNN that she had to endure months of harassment from Freeman. According to her, aside from giving malicious comments about her figure and clothing, he would even subject her to unwanted touching.
Another victim, a senior member of the production staff of the movie “Now You See Me” (2012), also accused Freeman of sexually harassing her and her female assistant on several occasions.
He did comment on our bodies… We knew that if he was coming by … not to wear any top that would show our breasts, not to wear anything that would show our bottoms, meaning not wearing clothes that [were] fitted.”
the production staff told CNN
Among the 16 people CNN interviewed, 8 of them said that they were the subjects of Freeman’s sexual harassment. While the other 8 said they had witnessed him do such malicious and inappropriate behavior.
Morgan Freeman’s controversies don’t end there. He was also rumored to have a romantic relationship with his then 27-year-old step-granddaughter, E’Dena Hines.
Hines is the biological granddaughter of Morgan Freeman’s first wife, Jeanette Adair Bradshaw. After they divorced, Freeman and his second wife, Myrna Colley-Lee, raised Hines together.
The veteran actor, however, denied the rumor.
The recent reports of any pending marriage or romantic relationship of me to anyone are defamatory fabrications from the tabloid media designed to sell papers. What is even more alarming is that these fabrications are now being picked up by the legitimate press as well.”
Morgan Freeman told TMZ
E’Dena Hines also released her own statement denying the rumor.
These stories about me and my grandfather are not only untrue, they are also hurtful to me and my family.”
However, a family insider told the National Inquirer that the relationship has been going on for 10 years already.
Morgan has led to believe that he wants to marry her.”
a family insider said
Another source told the Contra Costa Times newspaper that the “couple” was actually planning to get married.
Becoming Mrs. Morgan Freeman has been E’Dena’s goal.”
anonymous source
E’Dena Hines died in 2015 at 33, she was murdered by her drug-induced boyfriend. The defense lawyers insisted that she told her boyfriend-turned-killer about her secret love affair with her step grandfather.
View this post on Instagram
Morgan Freeman’s Sexuality
The actor’s deep, reassuring, and authoritative voice landed him a lot of important voiceover projects. In fact, he always does the voice of God in films and documentaries. His distinctive and commanding voice can also be heard in a lot of commercials. And one of them was for a same-sex marriage ad which was released by the Human Rights Campaign in 2012.
Freeman had always been open about his support for the LGBTQ community. Aside from doing the gay marriage ad’s voiceover, he also said that he was “absolutely” open to playing a gay character on screen. The actor has always been comfortable with homosexuality.
He also talked about this on the National Geographic documentary, “The Story Of Us”, which tackled what connects different cultures around the world.
I think one of the catalysts people have experienced here in America is the realisation that some of their relatives are gay. What are you going to say if your 14 or 15-year-old son comes and says, ‘Dad, I’m gay’. Some are excommunicated immediately but most aren’t. There is a new mindset and an understanding that it isn’t some choice you are making.”
The actor also shared how his one-time visit to a Sydney gay bar was once among his best memories.
It was so much fun and I thought there was this feeling of freedom.”
the award-winning actor told news.com.au
Is Morgan Freeman Gay?
His open support to the LGBTQ community could be the reason why the public thinks he was gay. Being an advocate of same-sex marriage led the fans into thinking that he was a homosexual himself. But no, Morgan Freeman is straight. He was married twice and was linked to several people in the past and none of them were men. He had always been into women. Thus, it is unreasonable to question his sexuality.