Here's a timeline of key moments:
* 1970s: Freeman worked steadily in theatre and on TV, but didn't achieve widespread recognition.
* 1980s: Roles in films like "Street Smart" (1987) and "Driving Miss Daisy" (1989) brought him critical acclaim and recognition.
* 1990s: His role as Red in "The Shawshank Redemption" (1994) cemented his status as a major Hollywood star.
* 2000s onward: He continued to star in successful films, including "Million Dollar Baby" (2004), "Batman Begins" (2005), and "Invictus" (2009), further solidifying his career and public image.
While he may have been recognized for his talent earlier in his career, the late 1980s and early 1990s are generally considered the period where Morgan Freeman's fame truly exploded.