On This Day

"Driving Miss Daisy" directed by Bruce Beresford and starring Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy is released (Best Picture

"Driving Miss Daisy" directed by Bruce Beresford and starring Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy is released (Best Picture 1990)

Driving Miss Daisy is a 1989 American comedy drama film directed by Bruce Beresford and written by Alfred Uhry, based on Uhry's 1987 play. The film stars Jessica Tandy, Morgan Freeman, and Dan Aykroyd. Freeman reprised his role from the original Off-Broadway production.

The story defines Daisy and her point of view through a network of relationships and emotions by focusing on her home life, synagogue, friends, family, fears, and concerns over a twenty-five-year period.

Driving Miss Daisy was a critical and commercial success upon its release and at the 62nd Academy Awards received nine nominations, and won four: Best Picture, Best Actress (for Tandy), Best Makeup, and Best Adapted Screenplay. As of 2025, it is the most recent PG-rated film to have won Best Picture.

Historical Significance

Driving Miss Daisy is a 1989 American comedy drama film directed by Bruce Beresford and written by Alfred Uhry, based on Uhry's 1987 play.

Key People

Morgan Freeman

actor and producer

American actor and producer

– present

Jessica Tandy

actress

British actress

Events Before

  1. Czech-born tennis star Hana Mandlíková becomes an Australian Citizen

    Czech-born tennis star Hana Mandlíková becomes an Australian Citizen

  2. English Earl of St Andrews George Windsor marries Canadian academic Sylvana Tomaselli

    English Earl of St Andrews George Windsor marries Canadian academic Sylvana Tomaselli

  3. Panamanian General Manuel Noriega is indicted by a US federal grand jury for drug trafficking and racketeering

    Manuel Antonio Noriega Moreno was a Panamanian military officer and politician who was the de facto ruler of Panama from 1983 to 1989.

  4. The Soviet Union begins withdrawing its 115,000 troops from Afghanistan

    The Democratic Republic of Afghanistan, later known as the Republic of Afghanistan, was the Afghan state from 1978 to 1992.

  5. Britain's Parliament passes Section 28 as law prohibiting the promotion of homosexuality. Repealed in 2001/2004.

    Section 28 refers to a part of the Local Government Act 1988, which stated that local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales "shall not intentionally promote homosexuality or publish material...

Events After

  1. Alan Hale Jr. dies

    Alan Hale Jr., American actor, known for american actor, died on 1990-01-02. Alan Hale Jr. was an American actor and restaurateur.

  2. Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber (41) divorces singer/dancer Sarah Brightman (29) after almost 7 years of marriage

    Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber (41) divorces singer/dancer Sarah Brightman (29) after almost 7 years of marriage

  3. NFL coach Jimmy Johnson (46) divorces Linda Kay Cooper after 26 years of marriage

    NFL coach Jimmy Johnson (46) divorces Linda Kay Cooper after 26 years of marriage

  4. John McEnroe becomes the first player to be expelled from the Australian Open

    John McEnroe becomes the first player to be expelled from the Australian Open

  5. Actor Michael Keaton (38) divorces actress Caroline McWilliams (44) after 7 years of marriage

    Actor Michael Keaton (38) divorces actress Caroline McWilliams (44) after 7 years of marriage

More from the 1980s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on December 13, 1989?
Driving Miss Daisy is a 1989 American comedy drama film directed by Bruce Beresford and written by Alfred Uhry, based on Uhry's 1987 play. The film stars Jessica Tandy, Morgan Freeman, and Dan Aykroyd. Freeman reprised his role from the original Off-Broadway production.
Why is "Driving Miss Daisy" directed by Bruce Beresford and starring Morgan Freeman ... significant?
Driving Miss Daisy is a 1989 American comedy drama film directed by Bruce Beresford and written by Alfred Uhry, based on Uhry's 1987 play.
Who was involved in "Driving Miss Daisy" directed by Bruce Beresford and starring Morgan Freeman ...?
Key figures include Morgan Freeman (actor and producer), Jessica Tandy (actress).

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