Shawshank Redemption: Why Morgan Freeman’s Character Is Called Red

Morgan Freeman was iconic in the legendary film The Shawshank Redemption, but many still wonder why he was called Red in the movie. Released in 1994, The Shawshank Redemption is considered one of the all-time great movies, with a sensational story and compelling cast. Freeman’s performance as Red was one of the factors that contributed to its greatness, which was rewarded with an Oscar nomination for best actor in a leading role. However, the reason why his character was named Red could come as a surprise.

Ellis Boyd ‘Red’ Redding narrated The Shawshank Redemption and was one of the inmates at Shawshank after planning the murder of his wife, who had just obtained a huge life insurance plan. Known as the prison smuggler, Red became close friends with the main protagonist and fellow inmate Andy Dufresne for 19 years after initially thinking he wouldn’t be able to last. The pair forge a partnership in prison and become accustomed to life behind bars. However, after spending four decades in prison, Red is finally released on parole but is not excited by the prospect. Subsequently, he struggles to adapt to the outside world. But after finding $5000 in cash and a secret message left by Andy, who managed to escape from prison, Red set off to Zihuatanejo, Mexico, to reunite with him.

The real reason for Red’s name is really quite interesting and, in fact, quite funny. During the movie, Andy asked him why he was called that. Red replied, “Maybe it’s because I’m Irish,” and then he simply strutted off. Despite his surname being Redding, this was an inside joke because, in Stephen King’s novel, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, Red was actually a red-headed Irishman. This is one of a few things that the novel and film do differently.

Morgan Freeman himself even had doubts about playing the role of someone who was meant to be Irish. In 2014, Freeman revealed (via Yahoo Entertainment) that he closed the Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption novel after the first page when he found out that Red was Irish and thought, “I can’t play an Irishman.” Thankfully he did end up being Red and contributing to cinematic history.

Despite its massive critical acclaim, The Shawshank Redemption came away with zero Oscar wins after being nominated in seven categories. This could have been because it was coming up against the likes of Pulp Fiction and Forrest Gump. However, there was no shame in Morgan Freeman finishing behind Tom Hanks, and his performance of Ellis Boyd ‘Red’ Redding in The Shawshank Redemption (even though he isn’t a red-headed Irishman) will forever be etched in history.