Al Freeman Jr.

Al Freeman Jr.

Deceased · Born: Mar 21, 1931 · Died: Aug 9, 2012

Personal Details

BornMar 21, 1931 San Antonio, Texas, USA
Parents
  • Lottie Brisette Coleman
  • Albert Cornelius Freeman Sr

Biography

Al Freeman, Jr. was a renowned actor and director who made a significant impact in the entertainment industry, particularly in the realm of television and film. He was the first African American to win a Daytime Emmy Award for acting, which he received for his portrayal of Police Captain Ed Hall in the soap opera "One Life to Live" in 1979. Freeman's most notable role was his 17-year stint as Captain Hall, which spanned from 1972 to 1987 and then again from 1988 to 2000. Throughout his career, he received three additional Emmy nominations for his performances in 1983, 1986, and 1987.

Born on March 21, 1934, in San Antonio, Texas, Freeman was raised primarily by his father, an actor and jazz musician, after his parents divorced. He and his father left Texas, moving to Cleveland, Ohio, where Freeman began to develop his passion for the performing arts. After studying drama at Los Angeles City College, Freeman moved to New York City to pursue a career in acting, making his Broadway debut in Ketti Frings's "The Long Dream" in 1960.

Freeman's early success on Broadway came in 1964 when he starred in James Baldwin's play "Blues for Mister Charlie." He continued to make a name for himself on stage, appearing in "Look to the Lilies" in 1970, a musical version of the 1963 movie "Lilies of the Field." Although the production received critical acclaim, it was ultimately a commercial flop.

Freeman's television career took off in the late 1950s, when he made his debut as a television actor in the series "Suspicion" in 1958. He went on to appear in numerous television shows, including "The Edge of Night" in 1967 and "My Sweet Charlie" in 1970, for which he received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination. Freeman also appeared in several films throughout his career, including "Torpedo Run" in 1958 and "This Rebel Breed" in 1960.

One of Freeman's most memorable roles was as Malcolm X in the 1979 television miniseries "Roots: The Next Generations." He also appeared in Spike Lee's biographical drama "Malcolm X" in 1992, earning a NAACP Image Award for his performance.

In addition to his work in front of the camera, Freeman was a professor in the drama department at Howard University. He was a respected figure in the African American arts community and was widely regarded as a legend in his field. Freeman passed away on August 9, 2012, at the age of 78, leaving behind a legacy of outstanding performances and a lasting impact on the entertainment industry.

Career

{"id":8648,"title":"One Life to Live","year":2011,"character":"Capt. Ed Hall","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/one-life-to-live","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_8648.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_8648.jpg"},"released":1}
2011
One Life to Live
One Life to Live as Capt. Ed Hall
{"id":7580,"title":"Down in the Delta","year":"1998","character":"Earl Sinclair","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/down-in-the-delta","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_7580.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_7580.jpg"},"released":1}
1998
Down in the Delta
Down in the Delta as Earl Sinclair
{"id":57021,"title":"Once Upon a Time... When We Were Colored","year":"1996","character":"Poppa","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/once-upon-a-time-when-we-were-colored","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_57021.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_57021.jpg"},"released":1}
1996
{"id":13823,"title":"Assault at West Point: The Court-Martial of Johnson Whittaker","year":"1994","character":"Old Johnson Whittaker","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/assault-at-west-point-the-court-martial-of-johnson-whittaker","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_13823.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_13823.jpg"},"released":1}
1994
{"id":4915,"title":"Malcolm X","year":"1992","character":"Elijah Muhammad","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/malcolm-x","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/4lqvftbksng0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/4lqvftbksng0.jpg"},"released":1}
1992
Malcolm X
Malcolm X as Elijah Muhammad
{"id":8427,"title":"American Experience","year":1989,"character":"Narrator","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/american-experience","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/5e3c4v8mjaf0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/5e3c4v8mjaf0.jpg"},"released":1}
1989
{"id":60135,"title":"Seven Hours to Judgment","year":"1988","character":"Danny Larwin","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/seven-hours-to-judgment","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_60135.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_60135.jpg"},"released":1}
1988
{"id":62324,"title":"Perry Mason Returns","year":"1985","character":"Lt. Cooper","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/perry-mason-returns","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_62324.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_62324.jpg"},"released":1}
1985
{"id":10101,"title":"Roots: The Next Generations","year":1979,"character":"Malcolm X","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/roots-the-next-generations","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/mu38h2qkpsk0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/mu38h2qkpsk0.jpg"},"released":1}
1979
{"id":103834556,"title":"King","year":1978,"character":"Damon Lockwood","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/king-us","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_103834556.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_103834556.jpg"},"released":1}
1978
King
King as Damon Lockwood
{"id":186203,"title":"To Be Young, Gifted, and Black","year":"1972","character":"","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/to-be-young-gifted-and-black","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_186203.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_186203.jpg"},"released":1}
1972
{"id":198380,"title":"A Fable","year":"1971","character":"The Leader","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/a-fable","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_198380.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_198380.jpg"},"released":1}
1971
A Fable
A Fable as The Leader
{"id":87153,"title":"My Sweet Charlie","year":"1970","character":"Charles Roberts","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/my-sweet-charlie","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_87153.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_87153.jpg"},"released":1}
1970
My Sweet Charlie
My Sweet Charlie as Charles Roberts
{"id":23850,"title":"Castle Keep","year":"1969","character":"Pvt. Allistair Piersall Benjamin","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/castle-keep","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_23850.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_23850.jpg"},"released":1}
1969
Castle Keep
Castle Keep as Pvt. Allistair Piersall Benjamin
{"id":87076,"title":"The Lost Man","year":"1969","character":"Dennis Lawrence","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-lost-man","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_87076.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_87076.jpg"},"released":1}
The Lost Man
The Lost Man as Dennis Lawrence
{"id":22570,"title":"Finian's Rainbow","year":"1968","character":"Howard","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/finians-rainbow","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3vr72nd18s60.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3vr72nd18s60.jpg"},"released":1}
1968
{"id":13583,"title":"The Detective","year":"1968","character":"Robbie Loughlin","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-detective","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_13583.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_13583.jpg"},"released":1}
The Detective
The Detective as Robbie Loughlin
{"id":103831310,"title":"Judd for the Defense","year":1968,"character":"Jeff Jones","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/judd-for-the-defense","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_103831310.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_103831310.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":82002,"title":"Dutchman","year":"1967","character":"Clay","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/dutchman","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_82002.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_82002.jpg"},"released":1}
1967
Dutchman
Dutchman as Clay
{"id":166816,"title":"For Pete's Sake!","year":"1966","character":"Harvey","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/for-petes-sake-1966-1","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_166816.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_166816.jpg"},"released":1}
1966
{"id":65719,"title":"Black Like Me","year":"1964","character":"Thomas Newcomb","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/black-like-me","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_65719.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_65719.jpg"},"released":1}
1964
Black Like Me
Black Like Me as Thomas Newcomb
{"id":82121,"title":"The Troublemaker","year":"1964","character":"Intern","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/the-troublemaker","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_82121.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_82121.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":32515,"title":"Ensign Pulver","year":"1964","character":"Taru","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/ensign-pulver","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_32515.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_32515.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":173734,"title":"Sniper's Ridge","year":"1961","character":"Medic Gwathney","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/snipers-ridge-1961","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_173734.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_173734.jpg"},"released":1}
1961
Sniper's Ridge
Sniper's Ridge as Medic Gwathney
{"id":82307,"title":"This Rebel Breed","year":"1960","character":"Satchel","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/this-rebel-breed","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_82307.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_82307.jpg"},"released":1}
1960
{"id":66325,"title":"Torpedo Run","year":"1958","character":"Sam Baker","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/torpedo-run","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_66325.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_66325.jpg"},"released":1}
1958
Torpedo Run
Torpedo Run as Sam Baker
{"id":8714,"title":"The Millionaire","year":1957,"character":"Houseboy","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/the-millionaire","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_8714.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_8714.jpg"},"released":1}
1957
{"id":81562,"title":"Cool Red","year":"1976","job":"Screenplay","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/cool-red","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_81562.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_81562.jpg"},"released":1}
1976
Cool Red
Cool Red as Screenplay
{"id":198380,"title":"A Fable","year":"1971","job":"Director","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/a-fable","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_198380.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_198380.jpg"},"released":1}
1971
A Fable
A Fable as Director