Morgan Freeman & Wife Divorcing After 24 Years Of Marriage

Access Hollywood - August 6, 2008 7:40 AM PDT

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Days after he was involved in a serious car accident, a friend of "Dark Knight" star Morgan Freeman confirmed to Access Hollywood that the actor is getting a divorce.

Freeman and his wife of 24-years, costumer Myrna Colley-Lee, "are involved in a divorce action," the actor's Mississippi-based attorney and business partner Bill Luckett told Access Hollywood. "And for legal and practical purposes, [Freeman and Colley-Lee] have been separated since December of 2007."

As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, Freeman was involved in an accident over the weekend, which saw the car he was driving flip. The actor and his female passenger, identified as Demaris Meyer, were driving on Mississippi Highway 32 in a rural area of Tallahatchie County at 11:30 PM on Sunday evening, when Freeman's car went off the right side of the road and flipped over.

[ Morgan Freeman Hospitalized After Car Crash (August 4, 2008) - Play it Now ]

Freeman and Meyer, who has been described as the actor's friend, were on the way to Freeman's home when the accident occurred.

The doors were jammed on the vehicle and both of them had to be removed from the car with the Jaws of Life, a spokesperson for the Mississippi Highway Patrol confirmed to Access.

Though the accident was serious, Freeman was conscious as he was pulled him from the car, according to Clay McFerrin, editor of the Sun Sentinel in Charleston, who was on the scene of the accident.

[ All Access: Morgan Freeman - Divorces - Celebrities - TV One ]

"He was lucid, conscious," McFerrin told the Associated Press. "He was talking, joking with some of the rescue workers at one point."

When an onlooker attempted to take a photo with a cell phone, Freeman joked, "no freebies, no freebies," McFerrin told the AP.

Freeman and Meyer were airlifted to Regional Medical Center in Memphis, where the actor underwent surgery after suffering a broken arm, broken elbow and minor shoulder damage in the crash.

Freeman's car appeared to have gone airborne from the highway into a ditch, according to McFerrin.

The accident is currently under investigation, but no alcohol was involved, Mississippi Highway Patrol told Access. The spokesperson went on to say that no charges have been filed against Freeman.

Freeman won an Oscar for his work in 2004's "Million Dollar Baby."

The veteran actor owns a home in Charleston, Miss, and is also a co-owner of a blues club and a restaurant in Clarksdale, Miss., which is near where the accident took place.

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  • Mr. Freeman, i pray for the speedy recovery of both you and Mrs. Myers. Looking forward to seeing you in many more future movies. Be blessed and be happy
    report abuseposted August 7, 2008 7:38 PM PDT
  • Mr. Freeman, i pray for the speedy recovery of both you and Mrs. Myers. Looking forward to seeing you in many more future movies. Be blessed and be happy
    report abuseposted August 7, 2008 7:38 PM PDT
  • Miss Lady
    THIS IS FOR THE ORIGINAL PALE FACE APE stickers galoRe, I FEEL SORRY FOR YOU, YOU ARE BITTER AND DISGUSTED WITH YOURSELF IS THE REASON WHY YOU FEEL THE WAY YOU DO ABOUT BEAUTIFUL AFRICAN AMERICANS. I HOPE THAT YOU WILL DO SOME RESEARCHING ABOUT YOUR ON KIND AND KNOW THAT YOU ARE THE ORIGINAL APE THAT ESCAPED FROM THE CAVES AND THAT YOU PEOPLE WERE ALWAYS VOULTURES MURDERERS.
    report abuseposted August 7, 2008 5:23 PM PDT
  • kid o
    He had a wife? I thought he was gay.
    report abuseposted August 7, 2008 12:17 PM PDT
  • OMG not again
    I love Morgan he is a great actor, I hope he recovers soon. I wish you and Demaris Meyer a speedy recovery. In any marriage it's sad to hear about a break up, after so many years, but it happens to the best of us. Morgan Freeman, I hope to see you in more movies, you are so cool and amazing ! Wishing great health and happiness!
    report abuseposted August 7, 2008 11:59 AM PDT
  • SIMPLEE REDD
    If he and his wife have been separated since December, he was not "Caught" doing anything wrong if he had a female companion with him. People should be more concerned with how he is doing than his personal life! I love Morgan Freeman and I hope he is doing OK and that his wife is doing OK too. This does not change my opinion of him one bit.
    report abuseposted August 7, 2008 11:58 AM PDT
  • Pure Luv
    According to the bible it is a sin to get a divorce~~~so consider the triumphs that follow.
    report abuseposted August 7, 2008 11:56 AM PDT
  • REBECCA W
    who cares who he is sleeping with as long as both parties are not injured bad and r going to recover that is all that matters. as far as his personal life that is his business.
    report abuseposted August 7, 2008 11:37 AM PDT
  • Jolie
    From what I have heard and read about him, he seem like a very nice and respectable man. We don't know why he and his wife are getting a divorce, but 24 years is a long time to be married to someone. I love his movies and I think he is a great actor, whether he is getting a divorce will not make me think any less of him. I hate divorce, but it happens tous les jours...c'est la v
    report abuseposted August 7, 2008 11:25 AM PDT
  • msrat1
    To Diva18, never say never. You never know what you may do. And if that 74 yr old man was getting some lovin, then more power to him....get well soon Morgan
    report abuseposted August 7, 2008 11:12 AM PDT
comments 1-10 of 171  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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