Additional Coverage:
- Morgan Freeman, 88, says a 95-year-old actor inspired the mindset that keeps him from retiring (businessinsider.com)
Morgan Freeman, Nearing 90, Declares No Plans for Retirement, Embraces Active Aging
Veteran actor Morgan Freeman, at 88 years old, remains steadfast in his commitment to his craft, affirming he has no intention of retiring from acting. In recent interviews, Freeman shared his philosophy on aging with purpose, emphasizing the importance of staying active and engaged.
“There is a saying about old age – ‘Keep moving’ – and what Clint Eastwood, 95, says: ‘Don’t let the old man in,'” Freeman told AARP in an interview published Tuesday. He elaborated on this mantra, stating, “The way to do that is to keep getting up in the morning, keep working out in the gym, keep taking your vitamins, keep taking your prescribed meds, and keep moving.
Keep moving. That is the secret to it all.”
True to his words, Freeman continues to take on new projects, with an upcoming appearance in the film “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t,” set to premiere on November 14. Beyond his acting career, he also hopes to maintain his hobbies, including golf.
“Will I still be playing golf? That’s the question,” he mused.
While the idea of retirement occasionally crosses his mind, Freeman quickly dismisses it. He explained to The Guardian on Monday, “Sometimes the idea of retirement would float past me but, as soon as my agent says there’s a job, or somebody wants you, or they’ve made an offer, the whole thing just boils back into where it was yesterday: how much you’re going to pay, where we’re gonna be?”
Despite admitting his passion for acting has “dimmed a little,” he asserts it’s “not enough to make a serious difference.”
Freeman joins a growing list of notable individuals who choose to continue their work and passions regardless of age. Kris Jenner, 70, shared with James Corden in May 2024 that her 82-year-old mother’s experience motivated her to keep working, as her mother often expressed how her job kept her “young, and with purpose, and with joy.” Similarly, 92-year-old Wall Street veteran Burt Malkiel told Business Insider in August that he still dedicates a significant portion of his day to work, believing it leads to greater well-being and a stronger economy.