“Would you like to know? Earning a living”: Morgan Freeman’s Perfect Response When Asked Why He Starred in Mark Wahlberg Sequel That Earned $334M Less Than the Original

Morgan Freeman is a highly esteemed actor and narrator recognized for his distinctive voice and compelling presence. Over the course of his lengthy career, he has depicted a diverse range of iconic characters in movies such as The Shawshank Redemption, Driving Miss Daisy, and Million Dollar Baby, garnering critical acclaim and numerous awards, including an Academy Award.

Morgan Freeman

Beyond his acting abilities, Freeman is renowned for his work as a narrator, particularly in documentaries and films. His deep, resonating voice has become synonymous with wisdom and authority, endearing him to the entertainment world and earning him respect for his involvement in social and environmental causes.

Morgan Freeman Admits He Took A Role For Money

Morgan Freeman candidly stated on the TODAY show that his participation in the 2015 film Ted 2 is primarily driven by the need to earn a living. However, he enthusiastically mentioned that he thoroughly enjoyed Seth MacFarlane’s irreverent comedy and had a good laugh throughout the film.

While the specific figure of Morgan Freeman’s compensation for his role in the 2015 film Ted 2 wasn’t disclosed to the public, he openly admitted that he accepted the role primarily for financial reasons, suggesting that the offer must have been reasonably lucrative.

Morgan Freeman

Freeman told TODAY:

“Would you like to know? Earning a living. I laughed all the way through it.”

Ted 2 is directed by Seth MacFarlane, who also lends his voice to the main character, Ted, a talking teddy bear given life through a childhood wish. The storyline continues the escapades of Ted and his closest companion, John, portrayed by Mark Wahlberg. Within this sequel, Ted embarks on a quest to establish his legal personhood through a courtroom battle, with assistance from a young attorney, portrayed by Amanda Seyfried.

The film is renowned for its risqué humor and references to popular culture, staying true to the irreverent style of its predecessor. It managed to make $217 million globally, which was way less than the original that was released in 2012.

Morgan Freeman Thinks This Film Was A Mistake

While Morgan Freeman commenced his film career in the 1960s, it wasn’t until the 1980s that he landed two pivotal roles that propelled him into the realm of immense fame. One of these roles was in the critically acclaimed historical war drama Glory, a film that garnered three Oscars and co-starred Denzel Washington.

Morgan Freeman

The other was Driving Miss Daisy, which clinched four Oscars in total. Curiously, despite receiving nine Academy Award nominations in 1989, Freeman candidly referred to it as a “significant mistake” during a speech in 2000 at a BFI event, as reported by The Guardian:

“I think the big mistake was Driving Miss Daisy, actually. The character caught on – this wise, old, dignified, black man that once people get an iconic…some characters become sort of bracketed, identifiable – you and him. People come up and cry and stuff and everywhere you go they’re going to expect some aspect of that character out of you and if you disappoint them too many times…”

Driving Miss Daisy enjoyed swift acclaim as both a critical and financial triumph following its nine Academy Award nominations and four wins at the 62nd Academy Awards.

Ted 2 can be streamed on Peacock.