For the director, see Morgan J. Freeman

In addition to television films, in 1987, Freeman played a violent street hustler, a role that diverged from his previous roles, in Street Smart co-starring Christopher Reeve and Kathy Baker. Freeman’s performance was praised by film critics, including Roger Ebert who wrote: “Freeman has the flashier role, as a smart, very tough man who can be charming or intimidating-whatever’s needed … Freeman creates such an unforgettable villain.”[32] Freeman’s performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.[33] He later said that he considered Street Smart to be his breakthrough role.[20] In his next film, he played Craig in the drama Clean and Sober with co-stars Michael Keaton and Kathy Baker. Although the film was not a box-office hit, it gained fair reviews; Roger Ebert gave the film 31⁄2 out of 4 stars and called the performances “superb”.[34] Freeman also received Obie Awards for his roles as a preacher in the musical The Gospel at Colonus, and as Hoke Colburn in the play Driving Miss Daisy, respectively.[15]

1989–1996: Hollywood breakthrough