Kathleen Freeman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kathleen Freeman
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Freeman in 1972
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| Born | February 17, 1923 |
| Died | August 23, 2001 (aged 78) New York City, New York, U.S.
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| Resting place | Hollywood Forever Cemetery |
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| Years active | 1948–2001 |
| Height | 5'6" |
Kathleen Freeman (born February 17, 1923 – died August 23, 2001) was a talented American actress. She had a long career that lasted over 50 years. Kathleen was known for playing funny characters like maids, teachers, and neighbors. She often made people laugh with her roles. Many remember her from 12 Jerry Lewis movies and the film The Blues Brothers (1980).
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About Kathleen Freeman's Life
Her Early Life
Kathleen Freeman was born in Chicago, Illinois, on February 17, 1923. Her mother, Jessica Dixon, was a singer known as "The Overseas Girl" after World War I. Her father, Frank Freeman, led a music group called "Freeman's Forty Musical Minstrels." Her parents got married in 1922.
Kathleen started performing when she was a child. She danced in her parents' vaudeville shows. Vaudeville was a popular type of entertainment with different acts like singing, dancing, and comedy. She was also a supporter of the Democratic Party.
Her Acting Career
Kathleen Freeman was a very busy actress. She appeared in many movies and TV shows. In the early 1950s, she worked for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, a big movie studio. One of her first notable roles was in the 1952 musical Singin' in the Rain. She played Phoebe Dinsmore, a coach who helped actors speak clearly.
Working with Jerry Lewis
Kathleen became a favorite actress to work with for comedian Jerry Lewis. She appeared in 11 of his films, starting with 3 Ring Circus in 1954. She played funny characters in many of his famous comedies. These included Nurse Higgins in The Disorderly Orderly and Millie Lemon in The Nutty Professor. Years later, she even had a small part in Nutty Professor II: The Klumps.
Other Movie Roles
Kathleen also appeared in many other films. She was in the horror movie The Fly (1958). She also acted in Western comedies like Support Your Local Sheriff! (1969). In the 1980s and 1990s, she was in many more comedies.
She played Sister Mary Stigmata, also known as "The Penguin," in The Blues Brothers (1980) and Blues Brothers 2000 (1998). Kathleen also played a building manager in Dragnet (1987). She was a teacher in Hocus Pocus (1993). Her last movie role was as an old woman in the animated film Shrek (2001).
Television Appearances
Kathleen Freeman was also very active on television. She taught acting classes in Los Angeles. She had regular roles on many TV shows from the 1950s until her death. She was on The Bob Cummings Show and The Donna Reed Show. In 1964, she appeared in five episodes of The Lucy Show.
Later, she played Frau Gertrude Linkmeyer on Hogan's Heroes. She also co-starred with Dom DeLuise in the show Lotsa Luck. Kathleen was in episodes of Wagon Train and I Dream of Jeannie. She even played different characters on The Beverly Hillbillies.
She was the voice of Peg Bundy's mom on Married... with Children. Kathleen also appeared in popular shows like Mama's Family, Growing Pains, The Golden Girls, Roseanne, and ER.
In her later years, she had a regular voice role on the cartoon As Told by Ginger. She also received a Tony Award nomination for her role in the musical The Full Monty. In an episode of As Told by Ginger, her character, Mrs. Gordon, retired. When Kathleen passed away, the script was changed so that Mrs. Gordon also died. The episode was dedicated to Kathleen Freeman's memory.
Her Final Years
Kathleen Freeman became ill and had to leave the cast of The Full Monty musical. She passed away five days later, on August 23, 2001, at the age of 78. She died from lung cancer. Her ashes were placed at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Kathleen never married and did not have any children.
Images for kids
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Freeman in 1972
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Cary Grant and Kathleen Freeman in Houseboat (1958)
