Morgan Freeman's ongoing battle with a painful health condition

Severe car crash leads to chronic condition

'Excruciating' diagnosis of fibromyalgia

‘There is a point to changes like these’

His rep says he’s doing fine, despite health concerns

Morgan Freeman’s health struggles

Morgan Freeman, acclaimed for his deep, resonant voice and a career spanning over five decades, is known for his roles in iconic films like 'The Shawshank Redemption' and 'Million Dollar Baby.' Despite his vibrant acting career, many fans may not know about the chronic pain he battles every day—a consequence of a severe car accident in 2008 near his Mississippi home.

Severe car crash leads to chronic condition

In 2008, Freeman was involved in a devastating car accident that required him to be cut from his vehicle using the Jaws of Life. The crash resulted in a broken arm, elbow, and shoulder damage, leading to a painful journey of recovery that continues to affect him today.

'Excruciating' diagnosis of fibromyalgia

Years after the accident, Freeman disclosed in an interview with Esquire that he suffers from fibromyalgia, a condition characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain. "Up and down the arm. That's where it gets so bad. Excruciating,” he said in 2012.

Daily struggles with pain

Journalist Tom Chiarella, writing for Esquire, observed firsthand the impact of the condition on Freeman. Despite surgeries intended to repair nerve damage, Freeman continues to suffer from significant pain that affects his mobility and quality of life. “It hurts when he walks, when he sits still, when he rises from the couch, and when he missteps in a damp meadow,” Chiarella commented.

‘There is a point to changes like these’

While the fibromyalgia has left him unable to pilot jets, sail solo to the Caribbean, ride horses daily or even drive a stick like he used to, the actor keeps up a positive attitude. “There is a point to changes like these. I have to move on to other things, to other conceptions of myself. I play golf. I still work. And I can be pretty happy just walking the land,” he told Esquire.

The compression glove

To manage his symptoms, Freeman often wears a compression glove, as he did to the 2023 Oscars. This glove helps prevent blood pooling and mitigates pain in his affected hand. However, it’s rarely seen during movies and he often removes it for promotional videos.

His rep says he’s doing fine, despite health concerns

In Dec. 2023, The National Enquirer cited an unnamed source saying his health had deteriorated and was in “constant agony.” However, a representative for the actor told Radar Online: “Morgan is in fine health.”

He’s still working

While Freeman may be struggling with pain, that hasn’t stopped him from working. The actor is still acting in a recurrent role in the TV series ‘Special Ops: Lioness,’ playing U.S. Secretary of State Edwin Mullins. He also continues narrating amazing documentaries, the last one being ‘Life on Our Planet,’ in 2023.

Approaching 90

The actor’s vigor also comes despite his age. Born in 1937 in Memphis, Tennessee in the segregated South two years before WWII began, he moved to Chicago when he was six and got into acting at school. Since then, he’s made history — winning prestigious awards like an Oscar, Golden Globe and becoming widely considered one of the best actors of all time.

What is fibromyalgia?

Fibromyalgia, also called fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), is a long-term condition that causes pain all over the body, according to the NHS. Other symptoms include increased sensitivity to pain, muscle stiffness, trouble sleeping, trouble concentrating, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome and feelings of frustration, worry or low mood. Other celebs who have suffered from the condition include Lady Gaga, Janeane Garofalo and Sinéad O'Connor.