Topics: Film and TV, Gene Hackman, Health, Morgan Freeman, Oscars, US News, Fashion
The reason why Morgan Freeman was only sporting one lone glove at the Oscars has been revealed.
Viewers were left teary eyed after the 87-year-old veteran actor took to the 97th Academy Awards stage on Sunday (February 28) to pay tribute to his dear friend and co-star, Gene Hackman.
Considered one of Hollywood's greats, Hackman was found dead in his Santa Fe home on Wednesday (February 26) in circumstances the authorities are considering 'suspicious'.
His wife of more than 30 years, classic pianist Betsy Arakawam, and their pet dog were also found dead on the premises.
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Heading up the tributes at the Oscars this year, Freeman reflected on his work alongside Hackman, where the duo starred together in the 1992 classic, Unforgiven, and later joined forces for the 2000 movie, Under Suspicion.
Freeman said the industry 'lost a giant' as he went on to praise Hackman's lasting legacy and talents.
However, while The Shawshank Redemption star kept his hands clasped behind his back for most of the speech, eagle-eyed viewers spotted he was wearing just one black glove on his left hand - and it wasn't the first time the famous narrator has been seen wearing the mysterious item, either.
In 2023, he similarly sported a singular elbow-length glove while presenting at the Oscars alongside Margot Robbie.
Yet fans have been concerned by the style choice, writing on Twitter: "Why was Morgan Freeman wearing a black glove?"
"Why he got one glove on?" said another. "...Morgan Freeman winter soldier."
But, far from a fashion faux pas or interesting fashion statement, the real reason Freeman wears the glove comes down to a heartbreaking reason.
Back in 2008, the then-71-year-old badly injured himself in a car crash when he swerved off a road near his home in Charleston, Mississipi, which flipped the vehicle.
Freeman had to be cut free from the wreckage and was airlifted more than 100 miles away to a hospital in Memphis.
Upon arriving, it was discovered that he had suffered from multiple broken bones and he spent over four hours in surgery having his arm reset.
Ever since, the Gone Baby Gone actor has been left battling with unbearable shoulder pain and permanent nerve damage, called fibromyalgia, an untreatable condition.
He says he wears the 'glove', which is actually a compression glove, to ease some of the pain.
Speaking about his injury in 2010 to People magazine, Freeman revealed that his injury has never gotten any better
He said: “If you don’t move your hand, it will swell up. Do you know you move your hand about a million times a day?”
He also told Esquire a few years later he continued to suffer paralysis and shooting 'excruciating' pain up and down his arm.
Back in 2022, the actor again was seen out in public with his compression glove during the opening ceremony FIFA Qatar World Cup.
According to the CDC, fibromyalgia affects around four million adults in the US, around two percent of the adult population.
It can cause a myriad of health problems, from sleep issues and fatigue to emotional and mental distress and increased pain sensitivity.
