At 88 years old, renowned actor Morgan Freeman is still starring in movies and using his distinctive voice to narrate films. His acting career spans six decades, and he isn’t looking to retire, according to AARP.
Freeman told the nonprofit that he plans to “keep moving.” And he pairs that sentiment with the advice he received from his dear friend and fellow actor, Clint Eastwood.
“There is a saying about old age — ‘Keep moving’ — and what Clint Eastwood, 95, says: ‘Don’t let the old man in,'” Freeman told AARP earlier this month.
“The way to do that is to keep getting up in the morning, keep working out in the gym, keep taking your vitamins, keep taking your prescribed meds, and keep moving. Keep moving. That is the secret to it all.”
And Freeman is doing just that. This year, he starred in the third installment of the “Now You See Me” movie franchise, reprising his role as Thaddeus Bradley.
Common suggestions from centenarians and people over the age of 80 are to stay active and to never retire. Those tips align with the rules of ikigai, a Japanese principle that is often linked to longevity and wellness.
You get the most movement out of golf at my age. It’s a great sport for older adults.
In his free time, much of what Freeman does aligns with his hack for longevity, which is to keep moving. A passion of his is playing golf, and he believes it’s a wonderful sport to keep up with at his age.
“You get the most movement out of golf at my age, mind you,” Freeman said. “It’s walking, stooping, bending, swinging, cussing. It’s a great sport for older adults.”
As Freeman nears 90, his primary concern is if advancing in age will affect his ability to play the sport he loves. “Will I still be playing golf? That’s the question,” he said.
Another important choice that Freeman made throughout his acting career was never letting his accolades get to his head, even after he won an Oscar in 2005. That’s the same advice he has for actors and actresses who aspire to achieve the same today.
“It didn’t change me one whit. I kind of knew early on that I would eventually get one. It didn’t change me. I hope it didn’t change me,” Freeman said.
“Because the only change you can expect after you’ve gotten an Oscar is maybe your price goes up a tiny bit and your job prospects go up a bit. That’s the one thing or two things I guess you could look forward to. Other than that, don’t let your ego get the best of you.”
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