Ellington

Academy Award winning actor Morgan Freeman was seriously injured in a car accident in Mississippi on Sunday night according to the Mississippi Highway Patrol.

Police report that Freeman, 71, was driving eastbound on Highway 32 near the town of Ruleville, Miss., around 11:30 p.m. when his car left the road and flipped several times.

Police say Freeman and a female passenger had to be extracted from the vehicle and the actor was flown to Regional Medical Center in Memphis, Tenn., where spokeswoman Kathy Stringer said he was listed in serious condition. There was no word on the condition of the passenger.

According to the report, Freeman was talking at the scene of the accident. I pray that he has a speedy recovery.

Previous Comments

ID

132788

Comment

He is one of my favorite actors. I've followed him since his "Easy Reader" days on the Electric Company. I hope he recovers quickly, and that his female companion also comes away alright. BTW, how long do you expect before we see media speculation of a "Dark Knight Curse"?

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2008-08-04T11:13:59-06:00

ID

132790

Comment

One of my favorite actors too, Jeff. I use as much of his speech from Glory (Denzel's too) as I can before I go off to battle on my capital cases. I usually say, "Don't much matter what happen the mar cause we men ain't we, we men ain't we?" - by Denzel. I then tell my coworkers and anybody else dumb enough to listen to me, "If we don't make it back from this battle, tell everyone we died standing up and facing the enemy." - by Morgan Freeman. The I add, tell our wives and love ones we tried to love and help somebody. And furthermore if I have a female co-counsel, I say, "Tell the wife and husband if we don't make it back to spend some of the insurance money and other recompense on the children and grandchildren instead of all of it on the next man or woman. Morgan Freeman became a hero to me in Lean on Me where he played Joe Clark. I love the scene with the parents of the children that were thrown out of school. He quoted a scripture or talked about a scene in the bible then said, That's why I threw those bastards out." I also love that lesson he taught Sams on top of the building where he told Sams to jump off the building. Sams said "I don't want to die" and Morgan said, "You smoke crack don't you. Do you know what that stuff does to your brain. Son if youy gonna kill yourself don't f___ around, go ahead and get it over with." I won't even mention the part where he and superintendant had the conversation that involved the HNIC. Hopefully Mr. Freeman will be fine and resume his outstanding career soon. He and Denzel along with many more black actors are tearing down the walls that held black actors and actresses back for so long. Morgan's living in Mississippi has also helped the image of Mississippi tremendously.

Author

Walt

Date

2008-08-04T12:26:50-06:00

ID

132791

Comment

Hope he recovers soon. He is a great actor. I don't think he has ever been in a bad movie. The MSNBC said the wreck was 4 miles east of Charleston, that's not near Ruleville, that would be about 50 miles NE of Ruleville and Hwy 32 doen't go near Ruleville it goes through Parchman.

Author

BubbaT

Date

2008-08-04T12:42:29-06:00

ID

132794

Comment

He is, first and foremost, a great son and citizen of Mississippi. He's done much more than help the state's image by choosing to live here; he has actively put his name and his money where it matters on healing race division, and even ending segregated proms in the Delta. He clearly is not one of those who do not believe the work is done here, or that we shouldn't talk about race any longer. Cheers to Morgan Freeman.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-08-04T12:59:26-06:00

ID

132795

Comment

Didn't he say in a interview that he did not support Black History Month and the only way to stop racism was to quit talking about racism?

Author

BubbaT

Date

2008-08-04T13:08:44-06:00

ID

132797

Comment

Donna, true that! True that! Are we really living if we're not doing anything to help the situation around us. By any standards Morgan is helping Mississippi.

Author

Walt

Date

2008-08-04T13:15:18-06:00

ID

132799

Comment

I don't know, BubbaT. Do you have a link to that interview? Let's not do a white-man-quoting-Cosby-out-of-context number on him without the primary source at hand. Well, considering that Morgan Freeman funded the first interracial prom in a Delta town, among many other things, it doesn't sound like he is trying to "quit talking about racism"? I suspect he's more a proponent of taking action, rather than talking all the time, which is great. I also think he's spoken out about racial profiling. And for the record, I'm not Black History Month's biggest fan, either. Or, at least not the way it is often celebrated in the media, with too many whitewashed accounts of the country's race struggles, and little else of substance the rest of the year. I don't know if anyone has noticed over the years that the JFP doesn't do anything special for Black History Month (although some columnists will write about it, as they wish). We spread it over the whole year, and in every issue.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-08-04T13:20:30-06:00

ID

132800

Comment

That was an ignorant as hell statement Bubba. He's an actor not a Ph.D. And don't forget he's been a rich man for a long time. He's above racism in it's worse fashion. I knew when he said that it would be music to some kinds of people minds, or lack of minds to put it more accurately.

Author

Walt

Date

2008-08-04T13:21:48-06:00

ID

132801

Comment

Easy, Walt, although BubbaT just about earned it. What else do you know about Freeman's race efforts, BubbaT, or is just those kinds of quotes that interest you? Sigh. We'll get there someday, but not when that is the first response by a white guy to questions of racism. In fact, I think I just discovered the answer to the riddle, Walt. We no longer have to keep talking about racism when white folks stop saying we have to.

Author

DonnaLadd

Date

2008-08-04T13:24:05-06:00

ID

132802

Comment

Morgan said this on 60 Minutes and on a special on another network that featured the Mississippi Delta and the Blues. Surely Morgan is tired of hearing the same old stuff, like lots of people. He believes you have to overcome whatever is before you like he has done, and everyone else who has overcomed. Morgan no doubt is a very talented man and smart to boot. But he's not Cornell West of W. E. DuBois who said the problem of the color line would be the problem of the 20th Century. He was right and it will be a problem in the century too.

Author

Walt

Date

2008-08-04T13:30:56-06:00

ID

132803

Comment

I admire Morgan Freeman for his acting and for the things he has done in Mississippi, I am not disrepecting him in anyway. But here is the link to the article. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10482634/

Author

BubbaT

Date

2008-08-04T13:33:49-06:00

ID

132804

Comment

I meant that was an ignorant comment by Morgan who is fed up with talking about racism. He simply doesn't want to talk about it any more. But I bet he doesn't really believe as many white folks obviously do that if you stop talking about racism it will go away.

Author

Walt

Date

2008-08-04T13:38:26-06:00

ID

132805

Comment

Did racism/slavery go away when slaves couldn't talk about it for centuries?

Author

Walt

Date

2008-08-04T13:40:06-06:00

ID

132806

Comment

I forgot to say I rest my case.

Author

Walt

Date

2008-08-04T13:40:45-06:00

ID

132807

Comment

The Commercial Appeal has a good article on the crash. They said Freeman is fine except for a broken arm that needs surgery. He was driving a friend's Nissan Altima and was joking at the scene although the jaws of life was necessary to extract them from the car.

Author

Walt

Date

2008-08-04T14:13:28-06:00

ID

132808

Comment

The 60 Minutes story is actually found here, on the network where it ran. ;-) Interesting given a little context... NEW YORK - Morgan Freeman says the concept of a month dedicated to black history is "ridiculous." "You're going to relegate my history to a month?" the 68-year-old actor says in an interview on CBS' "60 Minutes" to air Sunday (7 p.m. EST). "I don't want a black history month. Black history is American history." Black History Month has roots in historian Carter G. Woodson's Negro History Week, which he designated in 1926 as the second week in February to mark the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. and, this about the flag: For one, he thinks the Mississippi state flag, with its confederate emblem, should be changed. “That flag has always represented, number one, treason and, number two, a separation of white people from Jews, n***ers and homosexuals. And you can't change that. You can't tell me I'm never going to be able to look at that flag and think, ‘Ah, it's my heritage, my, you know...’ Never,” says Freeman.

Author

Todd Stauffer

Date

2008-08-04T14:22:02-06:00

ID

132809

Comment

Morgan Freeman absolutely said in one iterview we should stop talking about race or racism in response to how to deal with it or make it go away. I saw the interview and was shocked by his comments. Morgan also said similar things in one of Charles Barkley's book. This is not to criticize Morgan who is simply tired and unnerved about talking about racism because he moves about throughout the world as if he's colorless and not hampered by race. Being rich and famous no doubt can make this possibe. Without money or fame it's a different story entirely. I wish Miorgan would talk about race or racism enough to make his points clearer. Otherwise, he simply has a belief about race and racism that is false for most people.

Author

Walt

Date

2008-08-04T14:30:09-06:00

ID

132810

Comment

I'm praying for Morgan. Like Walt, I been a fan of his going back to his Electric Company days. Hope he gets better soon.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2008-08-04T14:31:16-06:00

ID

132811

Comment

YouTube has some great clips of Morgan from The Electric Company.

Author

BubbaT

Date

2008-08-04T14:54:09-06:00

ID

132812

Comment

Walt? GE:"Like Walt, I been a fan of his going back to his Electric Company days."

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2008-08-04T15:02:09-06:00

ID

132813

Comment

YouTube has some great clips of Morgan from The Electric Company. Ah, yes. YouTube is great. I've wasted many an hour watching nostagic clips such as these from my lost youth.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2008-08-04T15:06:22-06:00

ID

132814

Comment

The thing that remains so captivating about the scene on top of the building with Sams is that I plan to do my 3 grandsons like that if I catch them abusing alcohol or using drugs of any nature and kind. My roof is real steep or inclined and I'll probably wind up killing all 4 of us trying to get up there to do the scene. But if I make it up there with them, I'm going to say the next time I catch or hear tell of either of you using drugs or getting girls pregnant with accepting responsibility I'm going to bring you up here and throw your asses off.

Author

Walt

Date

2008-08-04T15:12:15-06:00

ID

132823

Comment

BTW, how long do you expect before we see media speculation of a "Dark Knight Curse"? Hmm, fascinating. Heath Ledger, Christian Bale, and now this. Reminds me of those "Poltergeist" incidents. I been a fan of his going back to his Electric Company days. Me, too. During those days, he looked a lot like my father, and whenever Easy Reader appeared on the screen, we would say, "Look, Daddy, you're on TV!"

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-08-04T16:34:24-06:00

ID

132836

Comment

Morgan Freeman is awesome. 'nuff said. Get well soon, Mr. Freeman.

Author

Tre

Date

2008-08-05T09:25:00-06:00

ID

132860

Comment

I've followed him since his "Easy Reader" days on the Electric Company-posted by jeff lucas Wow!!! I used to tell people he was on Electric Company, and they would say, you're crazy! I loved that show and singing the theme song, THE ELECTRIC COMPANY-EEEEE, THE ELECTRIC COMPANY-EEEEE, THE ELECTRIC COMPANY-EEEEE, over and over and over. It drove my brother crazy. I wish Morgan Freeman well and a speedy recovery. He is a wonderfully, talented actor. Let's continue to pray for him and his passenger. I know that he will soon be healed and back on the Big Screen soon.

Author

blu_n_a_redstate

Date

2008-08-05T16:48:19-06:00

ID

132864

Comment

Walt? My bad, Jeff.

Author

golden eagle

Date

2008-08-05T19:36:48-06:00

ID

132882

Comment

MSN is reporting Morgan Freeman has filed for a divorce from his wife of many years. I know it's none of our business, but at over 70 years of age and being rich, I bet it's Cheaper to Keep Her. "When that judge gets through starring (him) in the face he's gonna wish he had kept his money in momma's pocket book.

Author

Walt

Date

2008-08-06T12:14:44-06:00

ID

132883

Comment

I love me some Morgan Freeman, but Soul singer, Johnnie Taylor, once said: "If you're tied up, you better stay tied up, because it's cheaper to keep her. When that little girl makes you mad and you get an attitude and pack your bags. Five little children you're leaving behind, you're going to pay some alimony and child support or do some time. Son, when you get thru starring that judge in the face, you're gonna want to cuss the whole human race. That's why it's cheaper to keep her. You didn't pay but 2 dollars to bring her home, now you're about to pay 2 thousand to leave her alone. When you see another woman and you want to make a change, she ain't gonna want you, cause you won't have a damn thang. It's cheaper to keep her. It cost too much to leave her alone."

Author

Walt

Date

2008-08-06T12:35:33-06:00

ID

132884

Comment

Richard Pryor said as he went thru one of his divorces the judge while dividing up the marital assets and property asked him if he had any dreams. He said "yes sir" and the judge replied, "We want them too."

Author

Walt

Date

2008-08-06T12:53:37-06:00

ID

132886

Comment

One of my cousin told me that when he went thru his divorce he was passed a document to read and sign. He thought it was a final decree of divorce, but it was a post-nuptial agreement signing over any future aspiration should he in the unlikely event have any. These women are hard. "They want it all or nothing at all."

Author

Walt

Date

2008-08-06T13:08:46-06:00

ID

132907

Comment

Since everybody is scared to talk now, let me continue as the blog's other doctor (duly recognizing doctor s), psychiatrist, psychologist, comedian, provocateur, marriage counselor and relationship expert. Any woman who stays with a man for 24 years probably loved him. As we age we remember having someone love us is more important than someone who moves us, if you know what I mean. You can find a woman anywhere who can move you, but will she wipe your nose when you can't or place your health above your finances. I know a few people who left their wifes for a younger woman to soon suffer a health consequence. Guess who showed up to handle the last sickness or health complication. You guessed it. The long-time proven lover. Now, I don't claim to have any inside information on the Freeman's situation, but as you know, knowing what I'm talking about is usually no consequence or factor to my factoring in. If the relationship isn't totally irreconcilable I hope Morgan returns to his wife and they live happily everafterward. I know many of you say, Walt, get you some business to handle so you can stay out of other folks' business. true that. true that. Is he leaving his wife for a .... I meant younger woman. What did y'all think I meant? Be honest? I hope Morgan doesn't read this and comes to Jackson looking for me. If you do read it Morgan, please remember that one of your childhood schoolmates in Greenwood was one of my teachers in law school in Houston, Texas. He used to talk about you all the time. I'll put him on you if necessary. I'm out. Get well soon Morgan. We love you!

Author

Walt

Date

2008-08-07T09:56:50-06:00

ID

132919

Comment

Freeman discharged from hospital

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-08-07T20:21:14-06:00

ID

132926

Comment

Well gang, Morgan did not put this one on his "Bucket List." In marital/relationship discord, there is more often than not,two sides of the problem. Who knows, Mrs. Morgan could be feeling sort of "Kingish" today: Free at Last, Free at Last thank God......Free at Last!!!!!!!!

Author

justjess

Date

2008-08-08T09:42:04-06:00

ID

132927

Comment

(Er, never mind.)

Author

Tom Head

Date

2008-08-08T10:35:26-06:00

ID

132928

Comment

(Missed the part about filing for divorce. Sad story...)

Author

Tom Head

Date

2008-08-08T10:37:48-06:00

ID

132929

Comment

justjess! Haven't heard from you in a while. How have you been?

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-08-08T10:45:56-06:00

ID

132932

Comment

Thanks L.W. I haven't been blogging lately; but, I have been reading the JFP. I'm learning to walk again after an accident where I broke two major bones in my foot. I wonder if Morgan Freeman really knows/accepts the depth of the love and adoration felt for him by so many people? Just wondering.

Author

justjess

Date

2008-08-08T12:35:28-06:00

ID

132938

Comment

Jusjess sorry to hear bout your injury. Glad Morgan is out of the hospital. Should he need marital counseling (more common than some imagine) or spiritual uplifting he should see the appropriare counselor or minister. As to the spiritual matter, I hear Revern Nutcutter (aka Jessie) is readily available for such tasks these days.

Author

Walt

Date

2008-08-08T15:11:01-06:00

ID

132939

Comment

Get well soon, justjess. Walt, it looks like John Edwards had some relationship issues of his own. According to the article, he asked his wife to forgive him, and they're still together, so I guess they doing okay.

Author

LatashaWillis

Date

2008-08-08T16:07:11-06:00

ID

132940

Comment

Yes, LW, I knew republicans' immoral and sex-phene ways would soon trickle down to Democrats. This is why we gotta run these people off before they corrupt us all. And Pickering has had his divorce filing sealed. We may never know what a fraudulent piece crap he really was or is!

Author

Walt

Date

2008-08-08T16:13:00-06:00

ID

132941

Comment

Walt, there have been quite a few Democrats through years that couldn't keep there zippers up (FDR,Kennedy,Clinton to name a few) Don't think it has been because of the Republicans.

Author

BubbaT

Date

2008-08-08T17:41:53-06:00

ID

132942

Comment

Um, I had heard that ole Morgan and his wife have had an open relationship for years now. I think the divorce more stems from "its open and allowed until you get caught doing something stupid". So, um, Morgan got caught doing something stupid. I LOVE Morgan, don't get me wrong. I actually met him the night his wife had her opening at the MS Museum of Art and he was wonderfully nice. With that being said, people in the "know" have said they have gone their separate ways for years now. I think it more has something to do with getting caught doing it than anything else.

Author

Lori G

Date

2008-08-08T19:42:30-06:00

ID

132976

Comment

Speaking of "zippers," Does anyone remember John Hinson, the Senator from MS many years back? Is he still alive.

Author

justjess

Date

2008-08-11T09:46:51-06:00

ID

132977

Comment

No; he died from complications of AIDS in 1995. My understanding is that towards the end of his life he redeemed himself a little bit by leaving Mississippi and doing some national gay rights activism, and if AIDS didn't take him he'd probably be an asset to the movement today... Mississippi could really use an intelligent former congressman advocating gay rights at the moment, as we have a dearth of celebrity gay folks in this state.

Author

Tom Head

Date

2008-08-11T10:05:33-06:00

ID

132978

Comment

Walt, there have been quite a few Democrats through years that couldn't keep there zippers up (FDR,Kennedy,Clinton to name a few) Don't think it has been because of the Republicans. It's a bi-partisan failing. But you won't get the cheerleaders in either camp to admit that.

Author

Jeff Lucas

Date

2008-08-11T10:17:35-06:00

ID

132981

Comment

FDR? When?

Author

Ironghost

Date

2008-08-11T15:50:54-06:00

ID

132982

Comment

Iron, look up Lucy Mercer Rutherfurd, from about 1920 until his death, she was with him when he had his stroke according to his cousin Laura Delano.

Author

BubbaT

Date

2008-08-11T16:01:48-06:00

ID

132983

Comment

I saw that on a documentary about Eleanor Roosevelt as well. Rather eye-opening: I would have never thought of FDR as a philanderer.

Author

Lady Havoc

Date

2008-08-11T16:34:04-06:00