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58 SAG-AFTRA | Fall/Winter 2017 | SAGAFTRA.org cultural impact and a deep, storied commitment to giving back, Freeman was a natural choice for the SAG-AFTRA Honors and Tributes Committee. Each year, the committee considers members who have made extraordinary artistic and philanthropic contributions, and for outstanding achievement in fostering the finest ideals of the acting profession. All these achievements haven't come easy. Freeman's success — and the longevity of his career — are the direct result of his unwavering pursuit of excellence and his dedication to manifesting his dreams. After winning his Oscar at the 77th Annual Academy Awards, Freeman summarized his career perfectly, noting, "I was always trying to be a movie actor. This wasn't serendipity, being here, this is the fight I have been fighting my whole life." Freeman's role in Million Dollar Baby earned him a SAG Award in 2005. Freeman earned his fifth Oscar nomination for portraying Nelson Mandela in Invictus. are heard and amplified. He has also supported Artists for a New South Africa and the Campaign for Female Education. Freeman serves on the SAG-AFTRA Foundation Actors Council and appreciates the work the Foundation does with young people. "Since I have my own children's education charity, I'm particularly proud of the Foundation's children's literacy and scholarship programs," he said. As an actor with such an enormous Freeman's deep, booming voice is one of his trademark talents. MERIE W. WALLCE/WARNER BROS./PHOTOFEST KEVIN MAZUR WARNER INDEPENDENT PICTURES/PHOTOFEST WARNER BROS. PICTURES/PHOTOFEST He also won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for Million Dollar Baby.