Morgan & Me

As she has since 2002, Cathie Valdovino of Manoa serves as Morgan Freeman’s personal costumer for the new film, in which he plays Nelson Mandela . “This is the best job I ever had in my life,” says Valdovino, 57, who is of Filipino-Scot-Dutch-Cherokee ancestry.

Yu Shing Ting
Wednesday - December 09, 2009
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Morgan Freeman turns to Cathie Valdovino of Manoa for all his costumes, including in the new Invictus

Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman returns to the big screen this week with a new movie Invictus, playing the role of Nelson Mandela in a true story of how the newly elected president joined forces with the captain of South Africa’s rugby team, the Springboks, to help unite their country as they make an unlikely run to the 1995 World Cup championship match.

Cathie Valdovino at work in her Honolulu home

Freeman will no doubt give a great performance. But what the audience won’t see is his personal staff working beside him throughout filming, including local girl Cathie Valdovino, who works as his costume supervisor.

Freeman lives in Charleston, Miss., but according to Valdovino, his team, which includes a driver, security, makeup artist, stand-in, stunt double, hair stylist and assistant, are from all over the world.

‘Invictus’ director Clint Eastwood gives instructions to Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon

“This is the best job I ever had in my life,” says Valdovino, 57, who is of Filipino-Scot-Dutch-Cherokee ancestry.

“Morgan is the most honorable person I’ve ever met. He’s the most respected person and he’s easy to work with. People just love him.”

Valdovino and Freeman spent 12 weeks in Africa earlier this year for the filming of Invictus. It was her first time to Africa, but working for Freeman has taken her around the globe. They worked together on Million Dollar Baby (in Los Angeles), Batman Begins and Dark Night (Chicago, London and Hong Kong), Wanted (Prague), Gone Baby Gone (Boston), Bucket List (Virginia) and more.

‘Invictus’ executive producer Tim Moore with Cathie and Morgan in Capetown, South Africa

“From the moment I arrive, the limo picks me up and it’s first-class all the way,” says Valdovino on what these work trips are like. “When my driver picks me up, he hands me a cell phone that’s local and cash.”

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