Morgan Freeman‘s recent appearance at the 2025 Oscars has sparked curiosity among fans who are wondering why he was wearing a glove on his left hand. During the ceremony, Freeman took to the Dolby Theater stage to introduce the “In Memoriam” segment of the event. The Academy Award winning actor paid a heartfelt tribute to his dear colleague and friend Gene Hackman. The segment also honored other industry legends who died over the past year, including Maggie Smith, James Earl Jones, and David Lynch, among others.
Here’s everything fans need to know about the event that led to Morgan Freeman wearing a glove.
What happened to Morgan Freeman’s hand?
Morgan Freeman wears a glove on his left hand due to permanent nerve damage he suffered after a car accident in 2008.
On August 3, 2008, Freeman was involved in a near-fatal car crash. He was driving a 1997 Nissan Maxima, owned by Demarius Meyer who was his passenger at the time. The accident occurred in the evening near Ruleville, Mississippi when the car rolled over, gravely injuring both Freeman and Meyer. As per a report by Reuters, Freeman “was hospitalized for four days after the collision, and his injuries included a broken arm and elbow.”
He also underwent a four-and-a-half hours surgery to reconnect nerves and repair damage that he suffered on his left arm (via BBC News). The accident left Freeman with fibromyalgia, requiring him to wear a compression glove to help support blood circulation. Following the incident, Meyer sued Freeman for negligence. She claimed in the lawsuit that Freeman was driving under the influence of alcohol. However, both parties eventually settled the lawsuit for an amount that has been kept undisclosed.
Besides making public appearances with the glove, Freeman has also worn it while acting. Most of his recent on-screen appearances feature the compression glove on his left hand. Fans have spotted the medical handwear on Freeman in his recent role as Edwin Mullins in Taylor Sheridan’s Lioness.
