Morgan Freeman

Oprah’s Master Class with Morgan Freeman – The Videos

by patricia on January 29, 2012

I have always respected Morgan Freeman as an actor, but this week he became a teacher. Hopefully you didn’t miss the episode, but if you did here are a few of the clips. Thanks again OWN!

Who is Morgan Freeman’s favorite director?

Morgan Freeman holds on to his principles.

How he fine tuned his acting on stage.

Find out what Morgan’s safe place was as a kid growing up in Chicago.

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OWN’s MasterClass Brings Life Lessons and Passion with Morgan Freeman

by paula on January 27, 2012

If you’ve ever wondered if it’s too late to find your passion, think of this week’s MasterClass professor to find the answers.  OWN brings us Morgan Freeman for an amazing hour to take us on a journey and to mind us that no matter what your age, do what you love and find your passion.  Be inspired by his story and his lessons!  Watch the episode!  Watch the clips! Hear this wisdom and find your inspiration.  Here are the notes…

  • No matter what you are doing…do it and be the best at it.
  • Take a look at your life and see the journey.  You will realize that your passion “happened for me all along…just not recognizably so.”
  • Nurture your natural gifts – MasterClass
  • Declare who you are… – MasterClass
  • Morgan Freeman’s “Mrs. Lipton” Story brings with it the lesson that sometimes you can be the person who lifts someone up & helps them along for their life’s journey.  Be a Mrs. Lipton in someone’s life.  Be that person who believes and gives them a chance.
  • “Make the very best of every situation…” – Morgan Freeman on MasterClass
  •  ”Don’t be different just for different sake…Follow your own muse…”  – Morgan Freeman
  • Be who you are and always stand on the side of your own moral road – Morgan Freeman tells how he interviewed for the remake of the movie, “The Thing.”  When he went back for the audition, the writer asked, “What did you think?”  He told them that out of all the scientists…none were black.  Only the workers were black.  He didn’t get the job but I’m not thinking that he really wanted it.  He stood on the same side of the road as his principals. 
  • “I need that something that engages me. I need to sit up and think. I refuse to take part in anything that is going to degrade people…especially me.” – Morgan Freeman
  • Be irreplaceable - “You want to be a working actor not a movie star. Movie stars is a great place to be but it’s limiting.” – Morgan Freeman
  • In November of 1985 he saw a post on a bulletin board.  An upcoming event wall had an announcement for the play, “Driving Miss Daisy.” When they went to make the movie, he said, “We knew we didn’t have a run of getting the movie…they didn’t use stage actors because we don’t have box office appeal but they couldn’t find anybody to do it better…so they were stuck with me.”  He was 50 years young and said,  “I am beginning to realize my dream…I’m in the movies.  I have arrived…”
  • Creating a lasting partnership – Morgan Freeman talked about his respect and admiration for Clint Eastwood. When he was called about being in the movie, Unforgiven, he said “it was like we had been doing it forever.”  This partnership and friendship  has gone on to create many more movies over the years.  “He’s no nonsense, very quick and has a lot of talent,” Morgan says of him.
  • To be a student of you, you have to listen.
  • “Be observant.  Studiously observant if you want to be an actor. Spend most of your time studying.” – Morgan Freeman
  • Morgan Freeman talked about how he studies the men he plays in movies as often as he can.  This is how he prepares for his roles.  For Lean on Me he was up-close and personal with Joe Clark. He studied him and called the result a “direct transfusion” of who he was.  For Invictus, he had a chance to meet Nelson Mandela and said to him, “I would like to be able to study you up close.”  He notes, “I spent a lot of time with him.  You want the little things they do.  Study.  Watching and listening very carefully.”
  • “Is listening important? I can’t think of a single walk of life where it wouldn’t be.” – Morgan Freeman
  • “Declare who you are.  Practice. Nurture your gift. Let the force lead you wherever you need to go.” – Oprah on MasterClass
  • Challenge your courage.  You have to do things that challenge your courage. - MasterClass
  • “If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space.” – Morgan Freeman
  • Always know, the universe is unfolding as it should
  • Morgan Freeman ended with a few lines from the poem “Desiderata,” by Max Ehrmann.  ”Go placidly amidst the noise and haste knowing what peace there is in silence.  No doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Be at peace with yourself.  You are as important as the stars…”   Here is a link to the full poem.
  • It’s never too late to live your dream.  Just do it and do it with passion.
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Top 5 Moments on OWN

by patricia on January 27, 2012

Each Friday, we are taking a look back over the week and bringing you our “Top 5 Moments” of OWN programming.   With so much uplifting television, it will be difficult to narrow it  down, but we will do our best!

  1. “Oprah’s Next Chapter” with George Lucas, Terrance Howard & Cuba Gooding Jr. –George and Terrance spoke of the 23 year back story to creating “Red Tails”, a story about the infamous WWII African-American squadron, despite any support from major studios who believed no one was interested in a film…insinuating African-Americans can’t carry a film. An important film suddenly became an important cause.
  2. “Oprah’s Master Class” with Morgan Freeman – The incredible Morgan Freeman told of how he began his acting career at the age of 50. His first film was Driving Miss Daisy which ended up winning the Academy Award for Best Picture. His story was a wonderful reminder to never give up on a dream!
  3. “The Rosie Show” featuring Kathy Griffin – Kathy discussing how she was called a dog and barked at in school. Another reminder that as adults we need to stand up for kids that are picked on.
  4. “Money Class with Suze Orman” – Christine’s story of how she lost $550,000 to a “friend” in a Ponzi scheme.  Virtually paralyzed by the loss, her daughters feared for their mom and wrote to Suze.   The lesson within the episode…sometimes we have to suffer the loss of money to get the biggest gain of our life.
  5. “Extreme Clutter” with Peter Walsh - Leanne’s clutter problem got so out of hand that she rented an airplane hangar to store it all.  In an attempt to take some control back in her life, Peter reminded her that she needed to learn to “ask” for help and also to say “NO”.    Sometimes you can give so much of yourself that you don’t leave enough for you and your family….and you have the ability to change that.

Don’t see your favorite moment here?  Well…leave a comment and share it with other us and the rest of the OWN family.

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The Poem, “Desiderata” by Max Ehrmann

by paula on January 27, 2012

On Oprah’s MasterClass, Morgan Freeman closes his lesson with a few lines from the following inspirational poem.  Enjoy and be moved to walk through life cheerful and happy and full of hope.

Desiderata by Max Ehrmann

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others,
even to the dull and ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace with your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

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Oprah’s Master Class – Sneak Peek at Oprah’s Interview with Morgan Freeman

by patricia on January 19, 2012

I absolutely adore Morgan Freeman and this interview looks as raw as the others. This looks SO good! Be sure to tune in Sunday night at 10/9C to see the entire interview. If you care to join us, we will be tweeting LIVE with viewers and the O Team using hashtag #MasterClass.

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Get Ready for a New Season of Master Class on OWN

Get ready to ENJOY more amazing programming from the Oprah Winfrey Network. “Oprah’s Master Class” will kick off it’s second season on January 8th with Jane Fonda and more great “Masters” to come including Jon Bon Jovi, Reba McEntire, Goldie Hawn, Sidney Poitier, Morgan Freeman, Ted Turner, Grand Hill and Laird Hamilton. For each class, [...]

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On the Gayle King Show – Morgan Freeman on Nelson Mandela’s Day & Giuliana and Bill Rancic talk Life

After like forever (or really just 2 long and HOT weeks), Gayle BACK and we’ve missed her!  So much to talk about…so much in the news…so much to say…so let’s get to it! On Sunday’s News – Gayle was working with Rosie and Oprah yesterday at an O Mag shoot.  Gayle shares their conversation and [...]

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