Morgan Freeman donates $1M to Obama super-PAC

Actor Morgan Freeman donated $1 million to the super-PAC supporting President Obama's reelection.

The "Driving Miss Daisy" and "Shawshank Redemption" star donated the money to Priorities USA, the outside group run by former White House aide Bill Burton.

In a statement released Wednesday night, the actor credited Obama for doing a "remarkable job in historically difficult circumstances."

"He ended combat operations in Iraq, put in place sensible reforms of Wall Street, saved the auto industry and protected the healthcare of every American," Freeman said in a statement. "He has led our nation to be more tolerant and placed impressive, accomplished women on the Supreme Court. In return, he is the target of hundreds of millions of dollars from right-wing sources.

"I am proud to lend my voice — and support — to those who defend him," the "Batman" star continued. "Priorities USA Action is doing a great job of protecting the values I believe in. I am happy to help them and I hope others will join me."

Priorities USA has been outpaced thus far by its Republican counterparts — the group supporting Mitt Romney's efforts raised $20 million to the Democrats' $6 million in June — but more Hollywood stars are opening their checkbooks for the group. Other donors have included comedians Bill Maher and Chelsea Handler, directors Steven Spielberg and J.J. Abrams and producer Jeffrey Katzenberg.

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