Tonight’s (March 2) the night when some of the biggest names in Hollywood get together to see who will take the awards for being the best of the best.
Yep, it’s the 2025 Academy Awards, with film stars set to flock to the ceremony as Netflix’s Emilia Pérez dominates the nominations, followed by Wicked and The Brutalist.
And among the A-listers set to make an appearance is the legendary Morgan Freeman.
Back in 2023, the Invictus actor wore a singular black glove to the Oscars for a heartbreaking reason.
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It is something the 87-year-old has sported during multiple public appearances, as viewers are often left questioning it, sometimes thinking it’s just a fashion choice.
However, it is sadly a result of a car crash Freeman was involved in back in 2008 when he swerved off a Mississippi road and flipped over.
The actor reportedly had to be cut free from the vehicle by emergency services as he was seriously injured.
A local newspaper editor said at the time: "They had to use the jaws of life [hydraulic cutters] to extract him from the vehicle.
"He was lucid, conscious. He was talking, joking with some of the rescue workers at one point.”
Freeman ended up with a broken arm, elbow and minor shoulder damage as he had to undergo a small surgery. The star was told the pain would subside and he would see some improvement by 2011.
But he now has to wear a compression glove in order to keep the blood flowing in his hand.
Previously speaking about the injury, The Shawshank Redemption actor said: “I suffered nerve damage and it hasn't gotten better. I can't move it.
“If you don't move your hand, it will swell up. Do you know you move your hand about a million times a day?”
Likely to be sporting the singular glove, Freeman will appear at tonight’s Oscars, as it’s said he will pay tribute to Gene Hackman.
The 95-year-old and his wife, Betsy Arakwana, were found dead on Wednesday, although it is said they likely passed away over a week ago, before they were found mummified.
Hackman and Freeman were old friends, having worked on the likes of Unforgiven and Under Suspicion together.
A relative of the late star told TMZ that the family has been told Freeman will speak about Hackman during an extension of the in-memoriam segment.
UK viewers can watch the 2025 Oscars on ITV and ITV X tonight from 10:30pm.
Topics: Oscars, Morgan Freeman, Gene Hackman, Celebrity
Jess Battison