J. E. Freeman

J. E. Freeman
Born (1946-02-02)February 2, 1946
Brooklyn, New York, United States
Died August 9, 2014(2014-08-09) (aged 68)
San Francisco, California, United States
Occupation Actor/Poet
Years active 1979-2004

J. E. Freeman (February 2, 1946 – August 9, 2014) was an American actor, often cast in tough guy roles.

He was perhaps best known for his menacing characters roles, such as the evil mobster Marcello Santos in David Lynch's Wild at Heart, the ferocious henchman Eddie Dane in Miller's Crossing, and the infamous scientist Mason Wren in Alien: Resurrection.

Acting career

Freeman trained as an actor with Jean Shelton at Shelton Studios in the San Francisco area in the 1970s. He was nominated for best actor for playing Teach in the west coast premiere of David Mamet's American Buffalo, which also featured George Eckel and Charles Bouvier. After directing Look Back in Anger in 1979, Freeman moved to Los Angeles to pursue his film career. His first movie appearance was in the early 1980s actioner An Eye for an Eye in which he played a tow truck driver who minces words with Chuck Norris. Other notable films include Ruthless People, Miller's Crossing, Patriot Games, Copycat and Go.

Personal life

James E. Freeman attended Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Brooklyn, NY. He was a three-year member of the track team. He graduated from Bishop Loughlin in 1964. As a high school student, Jim was assertively conservative. Freeman was openly gay.[1] At age 22, he revealed his sexuality to the United States Marine Corps, leading to his discharge.[1] He had been HIV-positive since circa 1984.[1] In 2009, he published a letter to the editor on sfgate.com, describing his reminiscences of the 1969 Stonewall riots.[1] He also wrote poetry and had a tumblr blog (Freedapoet) dedicated to his poetry.

Freeman retired from acting in 2004.[2] He died in the evening of August 9, 2014. He was 68.[3]

Filmography

References

External links

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