Morgan Freeman Opens Up About His Toughest Acting Challenges

Few actors have faced the emotional demands of their craft quite like Morgan Freeman. With a career spanning decades and a reputation for taking on complex characters—including, famously, God—Freeman has become a Hollywood legend. Even in his eighties, he continues to pursue new projects and dreams, from working with Meryl Streep to hosting Saturday Night Live.

Dream Roles and Missed Opportunities

One role Freeman once hoped to play was the iconic lawman Bass Reeves. Although he ultimately aged out of the part, it’s easy to imagine him excelling in such a biopic. In his earlier years, taking on real-life figures felt less daunting, but as time passed, Freeman found himself gravitating toward roles that didn’t require such deep emotional investment.

Despite his vast experience, Freeman admits that stepping into the shoes of real people is a unique challenge. He’s only done it twice in his career, and both times left a lasting impression. The most notable example is his portrayal of Nelson Mandela in the 2009 film Invictus, a role that felt almost destined for him. Mandela himself had named Freeman as his preferred choice to play him in a biopic, a fact that added both honor and pressure to the project.

The Pressure of Playing Real People

Freeman has spoken candidly about the nerves that come with portraying someone who actually lived, especially when that person isn’t around to offer guidance.

“I don’t play living people—I’ve only done it twice now,”

he shared. Comparing his experiences in Invictus and Lean on Me, he explained,

“With Lean on Me, the real Joe was there every day, and that made it easier, because if you’re going to play a living person, it helps to hold hands, literally. You get a sense of their energy, whether it’s high or low or if this person is calm or humming with anxiety.”

Without the chance to meet Mandela in person, Freeman relied on extensive research. He watched countless hours of footage, from everyday moments to major public appearances, searching for the subtle details that would help him connect with the character on a deeper level.

Finding Connection Through Detail

Through his research, Freeman discovered small but meaningful traits that helped him embody Mandela. For instance, he noticed that Mandela rarely used his left hand, though the reason was unclear. This detail resonated with Freeman, who had also lost use of his left hand after a car accident.

“I was sort of relieved, because I can’t use mine well either, since my car accident last year. There’s no reason to. You don’t act like there’s something wrong with the hand; you just don’t use it.”

These subtle observations allowed Freeman to build a personal connection with Mandela, even without ever meeting him. The experience set Invictus apart from other projects in his career, highlighting the unique challenges and rewards of portraying real-life legends on screen.