Morgan Freeman has revealed the rather sad reason he always wears a pair of gold hoop earrings.
The 85-year-old frequently sports the earrings, and he has already explained to admirers why there is a valid reason for this.
Freeman once stated in an Instagram post: “These earrings. I am frequently questioned about them. The truth is that if I pass away somewhere unfamiliar, these are just worth enough for someone to purchase me a coffin. They were worn by sailors for this reason, and I do too.
“That’s why sailors used to wear them and that’s why I do.”
Speaking in 2016, Freeman gave a similar explanation to Fox, telling them that he ‘was a sailor’.
He recalled seeing a pirate movie as a youngster in which Burt Lancaster was wearing earrings.
“I found that to be sexy. Then I discovered that sailors would wear gold earrings to cover burial costs if they perished while traveling. Being a sailor, that was perfect.
He spoke about having a “attachment to the sea” during an interview with The Guardian.
When he was about 35 and divorced from his wife, she threatened to pierce his ear. He admitted: “I always wanted an earring. It has to do with my attachment to the sea. I’m an avid sailor, a dyed-in-the-wool blue-water man.”
Freeman didn’t find Hollywood fame until later in life, despite having millions of dollars in the bank, and it appears that the lessons he learned before becoming a star have lasted with him.
After being nominated for an Oscar for his performance in 1987’s Street Smart, Freeman went on to star in a number of successful films, including Bruce Almighty, Se7en, Million Dollar Baby, and The Shawshank Redemption.
He has amassed a long array of acting awards over the years, including the Best Supporting Oscar for his work in Million Dollar Baby, the Golden Globe, and the Screen Actors Guild.
Freeman’s estimated net worth as of 2022, or £199 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth, is $250 million, making it seem unlikely that he would ever need to sell those gold hoops.
Thanks to his instantly recognizable voice, along with his renowned film career, Freeman also works as a director and narrator.
