<P> Driving Miss Daisy is a 1989 American comedy - drama film directed by Bruce Beresford and written by Alfred Uhry, based on Uhry's play of the same name . 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 25 - year period . </P> <P> At the 62nd Academy Awards in 1990, Driving Miss Daisy received ten nominations, and won the Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Actress (Jessica Tandy), Best Makeup, and Best Adapted Screenplay . At the age of 81, Jessica Tandy became the oldest actress to win an Academy Award . </P> <P> In 1948, Mrs. Daisy Werthan, or Miss Daisy (Jessica Tandy), a 72 - year - old wealthy, Jewish, widowed, retired school teacher, lives alone in Atlanta, Georgia, except for a black housemaid named Idella (Esther Rolle). When Miss Daisy drives her 1946 Chrysler Windsor into her neighbor's yard, her 40 - year - old son Boolie (Dan Aykroyd) buys her a 1949 Hudson Commodore and hires Hoke Colburn (Morgan Freeman), a black chauffeur . Miss Daisy at first refuses to let anyone else drive her, but gradually gives in . </P> <P> As Miss Daisy and Hoke spend time together, she gains appreciation for his many skills . After Idella dies in 1962, rather than hire a new maid, Miss Daisy decides to care for her own house and have Hoke do the cooking and the driving . </P>

What was the drivers name on driving miss daisy