If you’re a true Morgan Freeman fan, you’ll know that the man has done it all. He’s played God, mentored prisoners, detectives, and dreamers alike. He’s the kind of actor whose presence itself is enough for impact.
And yet, even a legend like Freeman has one major regret that he still can’t shake off. He regretted a role that slipped through his grasp long before Hollywood truly recognised his talent.
The Pivotal Role That Morgan Freeman Missed
Morgan Freeman wasn’t always the superstar we know today. Before his film career took off, Freeman was only focused on his theatre career and stage appearances. He spent years in theatre, and around that time, in 1981, director Miloš Forman was preparing to make ‘Ragtime,’ based on E.L. Doctorow’s novel. The story was centred on Coalhouse Walker Jr., a proud African-American pianist who stands up against racial injustice in early 20th-century America.
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As soon as Freeman learned about the character, he fell in love with it. The complexities in the character were what grabbed his interest in the first place. When he read the novel, Freeman immediately identified with Coalhouse. Later, while recalling it, he said, “When I read the book, I thought, ‘That’s me!‘” At the time, Freeman was doing exceptionally well in theatre and was receiving praise for his Broadway performances. So, naturally, this felt like the right next step.
How The Lost Opportunity Shaped Freeman
Morgan was very excited for this role, and he went to audition for Forman, confident that this was the role that could finally launch him into film. But despite his enthusiasm, things didn’t go as Freeman hoped. At the end of the day, Forman chose actor Howard Rollins to play Coalhouse Walker instead. Rollins gave a strong and emotional performance, but Freeman couldn’t let go of the disappointment. He felt frustrated because he felt he completely understood the role.
Years later, when Freeman spoke to the SAG-AFTRA Foundation about the most disappointing moments in his career, he didn’t hesitate to mention ‘Ragtime‘. Freeman admitted, “There have been a lot of frustrating moments, but that one stuck out.” The loss hurt for sure, but he didn’t let it consume him. Instead, it became one of those turning points that forced him to pause and reflect. Freeman said, “It’s one of those moments in your life. When you realise humility is still here with me, I gotta back away.“
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However, Freeman didn’t let that missed opportunity define him. He went back to what he knew best: theatre. He continued to perform, refining his skills, and within a few years, he landed the role that would change everything: Hoke Colburn in Driving Miss Daisy. First performed on stage and later adapted into a film, Driving Miss Daisy became a major success, earning Freeman all the recognition he deserved. Eventually, it opened the door to a string of celebrated roles for which he is known.
