J. E. Freeman
J. E. Freeman | |
---|---|
J.E. Freeman as Marty Cantor in Patriot Games (1992) | |
Born |
James E. Freeman February 2, 1946 Brooklyn, New York, United States |
Died |
August 9, 2014 68) San Francisco, California, United States | (aged
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 (1990), the ferocious henchman Eddie Dane in Miller's Crossing (1990), and the infamous scientist Mason Wren in Alien Resurrection (1997).
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 action film An Eye for an Eye (1981) in which he played a tow-truck driver who minces words with Chuck Norris. In addition to this role and the three mentioned before, his other notable film contributions include Ruthless People (1986) as the "Bedroom Killer", Patriot Games (1992) as the bearded CIA agent Marty Cantor, Copycat (1995) as the police lieutenant Thomas Quinn, and Go (1998) as the enraged strip-club owner Vic Sr.
Personal life
James E. Freeman attended Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School in Brooklyn, New York. 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 around 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
- 1981: An Eye for an Eye - Tow Truck Dude
- 1983: Twice Upon a Time - Rusher of Din - Pool Player
- 1986: Ruthless People - The Bedroom Killer
- 1986: Hard Travelling - Ed Sloan
- 1988: Terrorist on Trial: The United States vs. Salim Ajami (TV) - Agent Peter Nello
- 1988: The Couch Trip - Unger
- 1990: Wild at Heart - Marcelles Santos
- 1990: Miller's Crossing - Eddie Dane
- 1991: One Good Cop - Captain Shreiber
- 1991: The Doctor - Ralph
- 1991: Aces: Iron Eagle III - Ames
- 1992: Memphis (TV) - Podjo Harris
- 1992: Patriot Games - Marty Cantor
- 1993: Casualties of Love: The Long Island Lolita Story - Marty Algar
- 1993: Mother's Boys - Everett, Principal
- 1994: It Could Happen to You - Sal Bontempo
- 1994: There Goes My Baby - George
- 1995: Copycat - Thomas Quinn
- 1997: Dream with the Fishes - Joe, Nick's father
- 1997: Alien Resurrection - Dr. Wren
- 1997: The Man Who Knew Too Little - CIA Man
- 1998: Dance with Me - (uncredited)
- 1998: Fool's Gold - George
- 1999: Go - Victor Sr.
- 2000: Auggie Rose - Pawn Shop Owner
- 2000: Skeleton Woman - Luigi
- 2000: Along for the Ride - Jake Cowens
- 2001: Suspended Animation - Philip Boulette
- 2003: Carolina - Wrecking Yard Owner
- 2003: 44 Minutes: The North Hollywood Shoot-Out (TV) - Police commander
- 2003: Mystery Woman (TV) - Ian Philby
- 2004: Tremors 4: The Legend Begins (TV) - Old Fred