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The Birth of Morgan Freeman
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. to Mayme Edna Curtis (a teacher) and Morgan Porterfield Freeman, Sr., a barber who died in 1961 from liver cirrhosis. Youngest of five older siblings. Freeman lived with his maternal grandmother in Mississippi up until he was six. While his parents relocated to Chicago to find work due to the Jim Crow South pressures affecting African Americans. -
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Time in U.S. Air Force
Joined U.S. Air Force in 1955 despite being offered a scholarship for drama from Jackson State University. From 1955 to 1959 Freeman had learned the reality of the job and decided to leave to pursue acting. He received an honorable discharge and rising to a Airman 1st Class after 4 years in he United States Air Force.