For decades, Character Approved Academy Award-winner Morgan Freeman has played the role of the screen sage. Whether he steps into the scene as a fellow detective, your Sergeant Major, the genius friend of your deceased father, or even an inmate, he's the usually the person who makes a movie worth seeing. He is also the person who isn't afraid to challenge your way of thinking--and he does it with a smile without ever being condescending. You get the feeling that he always knows a secret, but only lets you in on it when you are ready.

Freeman received Academy Award nominations for Street Smart, Driving Miss Daisy, Invictus and The Shawshank Redemption. He took home the Oscar for his role as Scrap-Iron Dupris in Million Dollar Baby, and he was honored at this year's Golden Globes with the Cecil B. de Mille award for his "outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment."

Freeman's distinguished career, which includes nearly 100 films, is well deserving of accolades. For me, I'll always remember that VHS copy of Freeman as Vincent the Vegetable Vampire on the Electric Company. Thanks to Freeman, I ate my vegetables. As an adult, I look to Freeman as a reminder that diligence and perseverance pays off.

[Image: Sidney Baldwin, Warner Bros. Entertainment]