A Quick Q&A With Morgan Freeman

At 80 years old, Morgan Freeman is as active as he’s ever been.

The versatile Oscar-winner is currently starring in the buddy comedy Just Getting Started alongside such legendary talents as Tommy Lee Jones, Rene Russo and Ocala-native Elizabeth Ashley. He will also receive the SAG Life Achievement award during the Screen Actors Guild Awards, which will be simulcast on TNT and TBS on January 21st at 8pm.

What is Just Getting Started all about?

It takes place at a retirement resort. I play Duke Diver, this very outgoing, good-time fellow that manages Villa Capri. They love him. He’s a ladies man. He has this attitude that the people who live there should live out the rest of their time having fun. So he does what he can to keep them energized. They send this beautiful woman down to take a look at the books and keep an eye on him, because he’s spending a lot of money on things they don’t understand. He feels like he might be in a little bit of jeopardy. But he thinks he can fix it…if he can seduce her. Along comes this soldier of fortune-type and he has eyes for her too. So the war is on and then there’s this strange little development…I don’t want to give it away. It’s a nice little comedy. I had a great time. I think we all had a good time making this one.

You will be receiving the Screen Actors Guild’s highest honor in January. How does that make you feel and what is it you love about movies?

Anytime somebody says ‘Well done’ it is always the same feeling, Thank you, I truly appreciate that. I grew up being a big, big fan of the movies from about the age of six. The first movie I saw was King Kong. In this country, we’re probably among the luckiest because we have such an incredible entertainment industry. It keeps us sharp. It entertains. It instructs. It even enhances our spirituality.

A lot of people seem to dread getting older. What’s your attitude about aging?

I don’t dread it! I will tell you that right now. The thing is to keep busy and just keep moving. Don’t sit down and say, ‘I’m too old for this…I’m too old for that.’ You’re only too old for it if you say you are.