Las Vegas Review-Journal (Sunday)
Morgan Freeman on golfing, traveling and his new series
At 80, Oscar winner is still golfing, learning and traveling in search of answers for new series
H Eturned 80 in June. Just don’t ask Morgan Freeman if he feels that life is a numbers game. “I keep hearing, ‘What does it feel like to turn 80?’ My answer is, ‘What is it supposed to feel like when you turn a certain age? Is there a manual?’ ” The Academy Award-winning actor is actually asking a lot of questions these days. He hosts and produced “The Story of Us with Morgan Freeman,” a series that premiered Oct. 11 on the National Geographic Channel. In each episode, Freeman travels the globe in search of one fundamental question for humanity: What are the common forces that bind us together?
Review-Journal: Describe the perfect Sunday?
Morgan Freeman: I might go out on a boat or play golf. The important thing to me is to just get out there and live life. When it comes to golfing on a Sunday, I’m out bright and early. I love playing golf, even if I’m having a day where my game goes to hell in a handbasket.
What is it with you and golf?
Golf makes me try to figure out what I’m doing wrong. I didn’t start playing until I was 65, when my friends forced me into it because they played and wanted me with them. I’m addicted now. I even have a golf simulator at home. My perfect day is on the course. It’s the best Sunday in the world.
Your new National Geographic series sounds so ambitious.
It is. The six hourlong episodes are produced by my company. Each has a single topic: The strength of belief, the need for power, how love shapes us, the role conflict plays in our lives, the spirit of rebellion and the concept of freedom. It’s based on the idea that I’ve always been curious, some people would call it nosy. The series puts the audience face to face with people outside of their experience to uncover what links us together as human beings. I got the most joy just getting out there and meeting all these types of people.
You filmed “Last Vegas” in Vegas not long ago. Are you a Vegas guy?
I don’t gamble, and I’m not the kind of guy who likes to just hang out. But I do love going to shows. While we were filming in Vegas, I took full advantage of all the great entertainment and went to see Cirque du Soleil and Elton John. I even saw Barbra Streisand, which was a thrill. That’s me going out. Oh, and I played a lot of golf. All that sunshine is great for going out and playing golf.
What are your memories of filming at Aria?
The wonderful part was being around such outstanding actors in this beautiful place. We had so much fun just being together. I’ll never forget the scene we did where we judged a bikini contest by the pool. Let’s just say that it was us plus quite a bit of eye candy. It took two days of shooting that bikini scene! Two days! You do what you must do. But I can tell you that it wasn’t bad duty and I’ll never forget it.
In your recent film “Going in Style,” now out on DVD, you confront aging in America. What is the secret to pushing the number out of your head?
The first secret to aging is to find a reason to get out of bed in the morning. And never stop moving. Exercise is key. You want to stay mobile. Beyond that, if you’re lucky, you will find something to do that
gives you purpose. As an actor at any age, I’m still learning, which is exciting. If you’re waking up in the morning and feeling good about your life, then the number doesn’t matter.
How have you handled the ebbs and flows of a long acting career?
I understand as an actor, it’s not all great moments. That’s just life. You have periods of feasting. And then it all peters out. You’re really just waiting for something good to do. I think it helps in any walk of life to create your own opportunities. Look for what will make you happy, and if it’s not out there, then try to create it.
You’ve never taken any of it for granted.
I’m not the guy who would ever look in the mirror and say, ‘I got it made now.’ That’s one of the biggest crimes to commit in life. It’s when you think that you’ve got it made that something happens that reminds you that life really is a struggle.
When did you learn this lesson?
Rather young. My early life took several detours. I was in the Air Force from 1955 to 1959. I had this desire to do movies. Don’t ask me where that came from other than my love of just going to the movies. When I got out of the military, I went to California, where I didn’t just become an actor overnight.
I worked as a typist and did other odd jobs. That’s when I learned that there will be hard times that will test you. The test is: Will you give up or not?
Did you ever consider it?
I chose to never give up. And every time I got to the point where I was really broke and at my wit’s end, something came along. I survived. Something always comes along to help you survive if you don’t give up. The flip side is: The best way to guarantee a loss is to quit. Or the only thing that happens when you lay down is that people will step on you.
What do you know now that you didn’t know at 20?
I know now that life is short, so you really better enjoy it and not rush it. When you’re young it seems like you have a long time. I remember being in the military when I was very young. I remember complaining at the time that I could die for my country, but not get a drink in a bar. I kept saying, ‘I wish I was older.’ A major pulled me aside and said, ‘Don’t rush yourself. You’ll find out soon enough that every year seems shorter and shorter.’ Those were true words. Each year does seem shorter and shorter, so you can’t waste a moment of it.
So, here’s to 90?
Here’s what I really think about getting older: I figure that the older I get, the more people see my work and the better-known I am. That’s a win-win.
‘ When I got out of the military, I went to California, where I didn’t just become an actor overnight. I worked as a typist and did other odd jobs. That’s when I learned that there will be hard times that will test you. The test is: Will you give up or not? ’ Morgan Freeman Actor