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.
J e freeman quiet lightning
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 action film An Eye for an Eye in which he played a tow-truck driver who minces words with Chuck Norris. His other notable films include Ruthless People, Patriot Games, Copycat, and Go.
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. At age 22, he revealed his sexuality to the United States Marine Corps, leading to his discharge. He had been HIV-positive since around 1984. In 2009, he published a letter to the editor on sfgate.com, describing his reminiscences of the 1969 Stonewall riots. He also wrote poetry and had a tumblrblog (Freedapoet) dedicated to his poetry.
Freeman retired from acting in 2004. He died in the evening of August 9, 2014. He was 68.
Filmography
Actor
2007
Heartland (TV Series) as
Kosinski
- Pilot (2007) - Kosinski
2005
Nip/Tuck (TV Series) as
Denny Boone
- Momma Boone (2005) - Denny Boone
2005
The Inside (TV Series) as
Max Stern
- Declawed (2005) - Max Stern
2004
Tremors 4: The Legend Begins (Video) as
Old Fred
2003
Mystery Woman (TV Series) as
Ian Philby
- Mystery Woman (2003) - Ian Philby
2003
44 Minutes: The North Hollywood Shoot-Out (TV Movie) as
Police Commander
2003
Carolina as
Wrecking Yard Owner
2003
NYPD Blue (TV Series) as
Larry Jarvis
- Nude Awakening (2003) - Larry Jarvis
2001
Suspended Animation as
Philip Boulette
2001
ER (TV Series) as
Mr. Jeffries
- Rampage (2001) - Mr. Jeffries
2000
Along for the Ride as
Jake Cowens
2000
Skeleton Woman as
Luigi
2000
Beyond Suspicion as
Pawn Shop Owner
2000
The Others (TV Series) as
The Teacher
- Unnamed (2000) - The Teacher
1999
Go as
Victor Sr.
1999
Fool's Gold as
George
1998
Dance with Me (uncredited)
1997
The Man Who Knew Too Little as
CIA Man (as JE Freeman)
1997
Alien: Resurrection as
Dr. Wren
1997
Dream with the Fishes as
Joe, Nick's Father
1996
Nash Bridges (TV Series) as
Lt. Tomes
- Internal Affairs (1996) - Lt. Tomes
1995
Copycat as
Lt. Quinn
1994
There Goes My Baby as
George
1994
It Could Happen to You as
Sal Bontempo
1993
Mother's Boys as
Everett
1993
Fallen Angels (TV Series) as
Johnny Cabe
- The Quiet Room (1993) - Johnny Cabe
1993
Casualties of Love: The Long Island Lolita Story (TV Movie) as
Det. Marty Algar
1992
Highlander (TV Series) as
Joe Scanlon
- Family Tree (1992) - Joe Scanlon
1992
Patriot Games as
Marty Cantor
1992
The Fifth Corner (TV Series) as
Boone
- Home (1992) - Boone
- Trio (1 of 2) (1992) - Boone
- Trio (2 of 2) (1992) - Boone
1992
Till Death Us Do Part (TV Movie) as
Det. Robert Guy
1992
Memphis (TV Movie) as
Podjo Harris
1992
Aces: Iron Eagle III as
Ames
1991
The Doctor as
Ralph
1991
One Good Cop as
Captain Schreiber
1990
Father Dowling Mysteries (TV Series) as
Harry De Sousa
- The Legacy Mystery (1990) - Harry De Sousa (as J. E. Freeman)
1990
Miller's Crossing as
Eddie Dane
1990
Wild at Heart as
Santos
1988
Hooperman (TV Series)
- Requiem for an S.O.B. (1988)
1988
Something Is Out There (TV Series) as
Vincent Pike
- In His Own Image (1988) - Vincent Pike
1988
The Couch Trip as
Unger
1988
Terrorist on Trial: The United States vs. Salim Ajami (TV Movie) as
Agent Peter Nello
1987
Hunter (TV Series) as
Wally Grimes
- Crossfire (1987) - Wally Grimes
1987
MacGyver (TV Series) as
Karl
- Birth Day (1987) - Karl
1987
Ohara (TV Series) as
Arnie Newsome
- Darryl (1987) - Arnie Newsome
1987
Highway to Heaven (TV Series) as
Mick
- All That Glitters (1987) - Mick
1986
Fresno (TV Mini Series) as
1st Henchman
- Episode #1.6 (1986) - 1st Henchman
- Episode #1.5 (1986) - 1st Henchman
- Episode #1.4 (1986) - 1st Henchman
- Episode #1.3 (1986) - 1st Henchman
- Episode #1.2 (1986) - 1st Henchman
- The Raisin Basket of the World (1986) - 1st Henchman
1986
Hard Traveling as
Ed Sloan
1986
Ruthless People as
Bedroom Killer
1986
Stingray (TV Series) as
Flynn
- Ancient Eyes (1986) - Flynn
1985
Chase (TV Movie) as
Dixon
1985
Hill Street Blues (TV Series) as
Teddy
- Queen for a Day (1985) - Teddy
1985
Remington Steele (TV Series) as
Chester
- Now You Steele It, Now You Don't (1985) - Chester
1984
Partners in Crime (TV Series) as
Sirk
- Pilot (1984) - Sirk
1983
Twice Upon a Time as
Rusher of Din - Pool Player
1982
The Edge of Night (TV Series) as
Al Collins
- Episode #1.6768 (1982) - Al Collins
- Episode #1.6767 (1982) - Al Collins
- Episode #1.6766 (1982) - Al Collins
- Episode #1.6765 (1982) - Al Collins
- Episode #1.6764 (1982) - Al Collins
- Episode #1.6763 (1982) - Al Collins
1981
An Eye for an Eye as
Tow Truck Dude
1981
Bitter Harvest (TV Movie) as
Farmer #2
1973
Partners in Crime (TV Movie)
Thanks
2004
Love, Death, Elvis & Oz: The Making of 'Wild at Heart' (Video documentary short) (special thanks)
2004
Specific Spontaneity: Focus on Lynch (Video documentary short) (special thanks)
2000
Alien: Resurrection (Video Game) (special thanks)
Self
2004
Love, Death, Elvis & Oz: The Making of 'Wild at Heart' (Video documentary short) as
Self
2004
Specific Spontaneity: Focus on Lynch (Video documentary short) as
Self
2003
One Step Beyond: The Making of 'Alien: Resurrection' (Video documentary) as
Self
Archive Footage
2013
Cinemassacre's Monster Madness (TV Series documentary) as
