Morgan Freeman is known for his versatility in playing a wide range of roles, yet one consistent element of his appearance is his gold earrings, which he is seen wearing at various events.
Freeman, who has portrayed characters ranging from God in “Bruce Almighty” to Ellis in “The Shawshank Redemption,” has established a remarkable career spanning over fifty years in film and television.
Despite the diversity of his roles, his gold hoop earrings have been a constant at public appearances, leading fans to note that the 87-year-old actor is rarely seen without them.
Recently, Freeman has often been seen wearing a singular black glove at public events, but his gold earrings remain a staple of his ensemble, a tradition dating back to the early days of his career. So, what is the story behind this accessory?
Freeman initially entered the entertainment world as a dancer before joining a musical theater group in San Francisco. His early acting experience included working as an extra in Sidney Lumet’s 1965 drama “The Pawnbroker,” and he made his Broadway debut in 1968.
His significant breakthrough came in 1971 when he appeared in a television show, marking his first credited role in a feature film that same year. Freeman’s noteworthy career breakthrough occurred in 1987 with “Street Smart,” when he was nearly 50 years old.
Since then, he has starred in numerous renowned films, from “Bruce Almighty” to “The Dark Knight Rises,” with his latest role in the 2024 Amazon Prime release “Gunner.”
Throughout his career, Freeman has collected numerous awards, including an Academy Award and two Golden Globe Awards. According to Celebrity Net Worth, his net worth is approximately $250 million, yet his preference for gold hoop earrings remains unchanged.
On Instagram, Freeman shared the reason behind his earrings: “These earrings. I get asked all the time about them. The truth is, these are worth just enough for someone to buy me a coffin if I die in a strange place. That’s why sailors used to wear them and that’s why I do.”
Freeman was also inspired by Burt Lancaster after seeing him in “The Crimson Pirate,” a film about a fictional sailor in the Caribbean.
During Hollywood’s Golden Age, Lancaster donned similar gold earrings in the 1952 film.
In an interview with Fox News in 2016, Freeman mentioned that he found the look to be ‘sexy,’ which led him to adopt the style.
He stated: “I thought that was sexy. Then I learned that sailors wore gold earrings to pay for funerals if they died in foreign lands. I’m a sailor, so that nailed it.”