Al Freeman Jr. facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Al Freeman Jr.
Freeman in 1975
Born	Albert Cornelius Freeman Jr. (1934-03-21)March 21, 1934 San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
Died	August 9, 2012(2012-08-09) (aged 78) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Years active	1958–2004
Spouse(s)	Sevara E. Clemon ​ ​ (m. 1960)​

Albert Cornelius Freeman Jr. (born March 21, 1934 – died August 9, 2012) was an American actor, director, and teacher. He was a member of The Actors Studio, a famous group for actors. Freeman acted in many plays, movies, and TV shows.

Some of his well-known roles were in films like My Sweet Charlie, Finian's Rainbow, and Malcolm X. He also appeared in popular TV series and soap operas such as One Life to Live, The Cosby Show, and Law & Order.

About Al Freeman Jr.'s Life and Career

Early Life and Military Service

Al Freeman Jr. was born in San Antonio, Texas. His mother was Lottie Brisette, and his father, Albert Cornelius Freeman, was a jazz pianist. After starting college, Freeman joined the Air Force in 1951. He served during the Korean War.

Becoming a Famous Actor

In 1968, he acted alongside Frank Sinatra in the movie The Detective. But his most famous role was playing police captain Ed Hall on the TV soap opera One Life to Live. He was on the show from 1972 to 1987. He also made guest appearances in 1988 and 2000.

In 1979, he won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor for his role as Ed Hall. He was the first actor from One Life to Live to win this award. He was also the first African-American actor to receive it.

Later Roles and Teaching

After leaving One Life to Live, Freeman appeared in the 1998 movie Down in the Delta. He also acted on Broadway theatre in plays like The Hot L Baltimore.

He played Elijah Muhammad, a leader of the Nation of Islam, in the film Malcolm X. For this role, he won the 1992 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture. He had also played Malcolm X in the 1979 TV miniseries Roots: The Next Generations.

In the 1990s, he had a recurring role as Deputy Commissioner James Harris in the TV show Homicide: Life on the Street. In 1991, Freeman started teaching at Howard University in Washington, D.C.. He was the chairman of the Department of Theatre Arts for six years.

When Al Freeman Jr. Passed Away

Al Freeman Jr. died on August 9, 2012, in Washington, D.C. He was 78 years old.

On September 10, 2012, a special service was held for him at Howard University. In 2014, the Environmental Theatre Space at the Howard University Fine Arts Building was renamed The Al Freeman Jr. Environmental Theatre Space to honor him.

Al Freeman Jr.'s Selected Film Roles

Al Freeman Jr.'s Selected TV Roles

See also

In Spanish: Al Freeman, Jr. para niños