Occupation Actress | Other name Florence Freeman Berman | |
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Other names Florence Freeman Berman Alma mater Wells CollegeNew York State College for TeachersColumbia University Known for Acting in soap operas on radio Died 25 April 2000, Grant Park, Illinois, United States | ||
Florence Freeman (July 29, 1911 – April 25, 2000) was an actress in old-time radio. She was known as a "soap opera queen" for her work in daytime serial dramas.
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Early years
Freeman was born in New York City and grew up in Albany, New York. One of her earliest performances came when she was six and gave a recitation of a poem at a World War rally. In high school, she won a medal for dramatics.
Freeman attended Wells College, where she was Campus Queen, New York State College for Teachers, and Columbia University preparing to become a teacher. She taught English before becoming an actress.
Radio
Freeman's initial job in radio came in 1933 as the result of a challenge. After a friend dared her "to make good as a radio actress", Freeman applied — and was hired — at WOKO in Albany, New York. She went on to become a member of the casts of a number of serials in old-time radio, including being "the heroine of not one but two serials that ran more than a decade."
In 1949, Freeman won the "Your Favorite Daytime Serial Actress" award from Radio Mirror magazine. Her roles on some programs are indicated in the table below.
She was also a regular on Maxwell House Show Boat, John's Other Wife,:351 Abie's Irish Rose, Are You a Missing Heir? and Love and Learn.
Stage
Before Freeman began her career in radio, she acted in summer stock theater.
Personal life
Freeman was married to Rabbi Samuel A. Berman of Temple Beth-El in Jersey City, New Jersey, they had three children. Her husband died in 1998.
Death
Freeman died April 25, 2000, age 88, in Grant Park, Illinois.