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Jonathan Freeman (actor)

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Nationality
  
American

Role
  
Actor

Name
  
Jonathan Freeman


Years active
  
1972–present

Alma mater
  
Ohio University

Education
  
Ohio University

Jonathan Freeman (actor) Quotes by Jonathan Freeman Like Success


Born
  
February 5, 1950 (age 74) (
1950-02-05
)
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.

Occupation
  
Actor, singer, voice actor, comedian

Nominations
  
Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical

Movies and TV shows
  
Aladdin, The Return of Jafar, Mickey's House of Villains, Disney's House of Mouse, Mickey's Magical Christma

Similar People
  
Linda Larkin, Scott Weinger, James Monroe Iglehart, Gilbert Gottfried, Ron Clements

Gilbert gottfried and jonathan freeman on bringing iago and jafar to life in aladdin


Jonathan Freeman (born February 5, 1950) is an American actor, voice actor, singer, puppeteer and comedian, known for puppetering and voicing Tito Swing in Shining Time Station and for voicing Jafar in Disney's Aladdin franchise, as well as the Kingdom Hearts franchise and the 2011 Aladdin Broadway musical.

Contents

Aladdin on broadway artist spotlight jonathan freeman


Early life

Freeman was born in Cleveland, Ohio on February 5, 1950. He graduated from Ohio University.

Career

As well as being the voice of Jafar in Aladdin, Freeman is also known for being the puppeteer for Tito Swing of the Jukebox Band (Flexitoon Puppets) on the PBS series Shining Time Station.

In 1994, he was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical for his role in She Loves Me. Additionally, he appeared in the Broadway revival productions of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, The Producers, On the Town, and 42nd Street, during which his caricature was drawn for Sardi's restaurant in 2002.

Freeman can be heard on the 1997 Varèse Sarabande studio recording of the flop 1965 musical Drat! The Cat!.

He was also seen on stage as Cogsworth in Disney's Beauty and the Beast, and originated the role of Grimsby in Disney's Broadway production of The Little Mermaid.

Freeman began his run starring as Admiral Boom and the Bank Chairman in the Broadway production of Mary Poppins on December 12, 2009.

Freeman reprises his role as Jafar on stage in the new musical adaptation of Aladdin, which played at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theatre from July 7–31, 2011. He is currently reprising the role in the Broadway production, which opened in March 2014 at the New Amsterdam Theatre, and he is the only actor from the original cast of the animated film to do so.

Broadway credits

  • Aladdin as Jafar (Original Broadway Cast)
  • Mary Poppins as Admiral Boom and the Bank Chairman (Replacement)
  • The Little Mermaid as Grimsby (Original Broadway Cast)
  • Beauty and the Beast as Cogsworth (Replacement)
  • The Producers as Roger De Bris (Replacement)
  • 42nd Street as Bert Barry
  • On the Town as Pitkin W. Bridgework
  • How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying as Mr. Bratt
  • She Loves Me as Headwaiter – Nominated – Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical
  • Platinum as Minky
  • Sherlock Holmes as Lightfoot McTague (Replacement – RSC Transfer)

    • Off Broadway credits

  • Of Thee I Sing as Senator Lyons (City Center Encores)
  • Finian's Rainbow as Finian (Irish Repertory)
  • A Class Act as Lehman (Manhattan Theatre Club)
  • An Empty Plate In The Cafe Du Grand Boeuf as Claude (Primary Stages)
  • Sail Away as Joe (Carnegie Hall)
  • Wall To Wall as Frank Loesser (Symphony Space)
  • Li'l Abner as Dr. Rasmussen (City Center Encores)
  • On The Town as Pitkin W. Bridgework (Public Theater/Delacourte)
  • In A Pig's Valise as Zoot/Gut (Second Stage)
  • Claptrap as Harvey (Manhattan Theater Club)
  • Bertrano as Louie/Momo (Primary Stages)
  • Confessions Of Billie as Conrad Gerhardt (Performing Garage)
  • Thirteen Days To Broadway as Cy (890 Studios)
  • Babes In Arms as Steve (Playwrights' Horizon)
  • Pinocchio as Fire Eater (Marionette Theater)
  • The Miser as Cleante (Greenwich Mews)
  • Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme as Dancing Master

    • Regional/Stock credits

  • Restoration Comedy as Sir Novelty (Seattle Repertory Theater)
  • A Christmas Carol as Scrooge (Bay Street Theater)
  • You Can't Take It with You as Boris Kolenkov (Bay Street Theater)
  • An Empty Plate In The Cafe Du Grand Boeuf as Claude (Berkshire Theater Festival)
  • Peter Pan as Hook/Mr. Darling (Austin Musical Theater)
  • How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying as Bert Bratt (La Jolla Playhouse)
  • Fortinbras as Claudius (La Jolla Playhouse)
  • Babes In Toyland as Gonzorgo (Houston Grand Opera)
  • A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum as Marcus Lycus (La Jolla Playhouse/Orange County Performing Arts Center)
  • The Flowering Peach as Shem (Coconut Grove Playhouse)
  • Emigration Of Adam as Issac Kurtzik (Williamstown Theater Festival)
  • Gay Divorce as Teddy (Goodspeed Opera House)
  • The Student Prince as Hubert (Milwaukee Melody Top)
  • Can-Can as Boris
  • Arsenic and Old Lace as Jonathan (Meadowbrook Theater)
  • The Desert Song as Benny (Coachlight Theater)
  • George Washington Slept Here (play) as Steve (Berkshire Theater Festival)
  • How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying as Bud Frump (Coachlight Theater)

    • Filmography

    Actor
    2023
    Aladdin: Live from the West End (post-production) as
    Jafar
    2022
    Helluva Boss (TV Series) as
    Paimon / Cash Buckzo
    - The Circus (2022) - Paimon / Cash Buckzo (voice)
    2020
    The High Note as
    Martin
    2020
    Digital Sky (TV Series) as
    Alan Carpenter
    - Moonstone (2020) - Alan Carpenter
    2016
    Elementary (TV Series) as
    Holder
    - How the Sausage Is Made (2016) - Holder
    2014
    Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix (Video Game) as
    Jafar (English version, voice)
    2012
    Sorcerers of the Magic Kingdom (Video Game) as
    Jafar (voice)
    2011
    Submissions Only (TV Series) as
    Greg Bonomelli
    - The Miller/Hennigan Act (2011) - Greg Bonomelli
    2011
    Too Big to Fail (TV Movie) as
    Senator Richard Shelby (R-Alabama)
    2010
    Kingdom Hearts Re: coded (Video Game) as
    Jafar (English version, voice)
    2010
    Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (TV Series) as
    Bobby
    - Merchandise (2010) - Bobby
    2006
    Law & Order: Criminal Intent (TV Series) as
    Wallace Thayer / Mr. Krebs
    - Identity Crisis (2009) - Wallace Thayer
    - The Healer (2006) - Mr. Krebs
    2008
    Gossip Girl (TV Series) as
    Butler
    - The Ex-Files (2008) - Butler
    2007
    Kingdom Hearts II: Final Mix+ (Video Game) as
    Jafar (English version, voice)
    2007
    Peter Pan (Video Game)(voice)
    2006
    The Hoax as
    Thick Voice (voice)
    2005
    American Dragon: Jake Long (TV Series) as
    Eli Excelsior Pandarus / Jack Frost
    - A Befuddled Mind (2006) - Eli Excelsior Pandarus (voice)
    - Eye of the Beholder (2005) - Eli Excelsior Pandarus / Jack Frost (voice)
    - The Heist (2005) - Eli Excelsior Pandarus (voice)
    2005
    Kingdom Hearts II (Video Game) as
    Jafar (English version, voice)
    2005
    The Producers as
    Ticket Taker
    2001
    House of Mouse (TV Series) as
    Jafar
    - Pete's Christmas Caper (2003) - Jafar (voice)
    - Halloween with Hades (2003) - Jafar (voice, credit only)
    - Pete's House of Villains (2003) - Jafar (voice)
    - House of Magic (2003) - Jafar (voice)
    - Donald and the Aracuan Bird (2002) - Jafar (voice)
    - House of Crime (2002) - Jafar (voice)
    - Where's Minnie? (2002) - Jafar (voice)
    - Max's Embarrassing Date (2002) - Jafar (voice)
    - Donald's Lamp Trade (2001) - Jafar (voice)
    - The Stolen Cartoons (2001) - Jafar (voice)
    2003
    Kingdom Hearts (TV Movie) as
    Jafar (voice)
    2002
    Teamo Supremo (TV Series)
    - Things that Go Bump in the Night!/The Will of the People! (2002) - (voice)
    2002
    Kingdom Hearts (Video Game) as
    Jafar (English version, voice)
    2001
    Mickey's House of Villains (Video) as
    Jafar (voice)
    2001
    Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse (Video) as
    Jafar (voice)
    2001
    The Lullaby of Broadway: Opening Night on 42nd Street (TV Movie) as
    Bert Barry
    2001
    Celebrity Deathmatch (TV Series) as
    Satan
    - Fandemonium III (2001) - Satan (voice)
    2000
    Aladdin in Nasira's Revenge (Video Game) as
    Jafar (voice)
    1999
    Sesame English (TV Series) as
    Narrator / TV Weatherman / Opera Singer / ...
    - The Empire Strikes Backside (1999) - Narrator
    - To the Beach! (1999) - TV Weatherman
    - I'm Hungry (1999) - Opera Singer
    - Family Acrobatics (1999) - Grandpa
    1999
    Hercules (TV Series) as
    Jafar
    - Hercules and the Arabian Night (1999) - Jafar (voice)
    1996
    Remember WENN (TV Series) as
    Rollie Pruitt
    - Some Time, Some Station (1998) - Rollie Pruitt
    - Happy Homecomings (1997) - Rollie Pruitt
    - The Importance of Being Betty (1997) - Rollie Pruitt
    - The New Actor (1997) - Rollie Pruitt
    - Who's Scott Sherwood? (1997) - Rollie Pruitt
    - Christmas in the Airwaves (1996) - Rollie Pruitt
    1997
    The Ice Storm as
    Ted Franklin
    1996
    The Associate as
    Hockey Game Executive
    1995
    Shining Time Station: Queen for a Day (TV Movie) as
    Tito Swing (voice)
    1995
    Aladdin on Ice (TV Movie) as
    Jafar (voice, uncredited)
    1995
    Shining Time Station: One of the Family (TV Movie) as
    Tito Swing (voice)
    1995
    Shining Time Station: Second Chances (TV Movie) as
    Tito Swing (voice)
    1995
    Shining Time Station: Once Upon a Time (TV Movie) as
    Tito Swing (voice)
    1994
    Aladdin Activity Center (Video Game) as
    Jafar (voice)
    1994
    Aladdin (TV Series) as
    Ding
    - The Citadel (1994) - Ding
    1994
    The Return of Jafar (Video) as
    Jafar (voice)
    1993
    Aladdin (Video Game) as
    Jafar (voice)
    1989
    Shining Time Station (TV Series) as
    Tito Swing / Li'l Tito
    - The Mayor Runs for Re-Election (1993) - Tito Swing
    - Mr. Conductor's Big Sleepwalk (1993) - Tito Swing
    - Mr. Conductor Gets Left Out (1993) - Tito Swing
    - Dan's Big Race (1993) - Tito Swing (voice)
    - Mysterious Stranger (1993) - Tito Swing
    - Dance Crazy (1993) - Tito Swing
    - The Joke's on Schemer (1993) - Tito Swing
    - Mr. Conductor's Movie (1993) - Tito Swing
    - Schemer's Special Club (1993) - Tito Swing
    - Stacy Forgets Her Name (1993) - Tito Swing
    - Mr. Conductor's Fourth of July (1993) - Tito Swing (voice)
    - Mr. Conductor's Evil Twin (1993) - Tito Swing
    - Billy's Runaway Train (1993) - Tito Swing (voice)
    - Fortune Teller Schemer (1993) - Tito Swing
    - Billy's Party (1993) - Tito Swing
    - Billy Saves the Day (1993) - Tito Swing
    - Schemer's Robot (1993) - Tito Swing
    - Stacy Cleans Up (1993) - Tito Swing
    - Becky Makes a Wish (1993) - Tito Swing
    - Bully for Mr. Conductor (1993) - Tito Swing
    - Jingle, Jingle, Jingle (1991) - Tito Swing
    - Do I Hear (1991) - Tito Swing
    - Is Anybody There? (1991) - Tito Swing
    - Double Trouble (1991) - Tito Swing (voice)
    - He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not (1991) - Tito Swing
    - Stop the Press (1991) - Tito Swing (voice)
    - Nickel in a Pickle (1991) - Tito Swing
    - Yabba, Yabba, Yabba (1991) - Tito Swing
    - Washout (1991) - Tito Swing
    - Crackpot (1991) - Tito Swing (voice)
    - Wrong Track (1991) - Tito Swing
    - Field Day (1991) - Tito Swing
    - A Dog's Life (1991) - Tito Swing
    - Achoo (1991) - Tito Swing (voice)
    - Sweet and Sour (1991) - Tito Swing
    - Win, Lose or Draw (1991) - Tito Swing / Li'l Tito (voice)
    - The Magic Is Believing (1991) - Tito Swing (voice)
    - Scare Dares (1991) - Tito Swing
    - Is This the End? (1989) - Tito Swing
    - Things That Go Ga-Hooga in the Night (1989) - Tito Swing
    - Mapping It Out (1989) - Tito Swing
    - Too Many Cooks (1989) - Tito Swing
    - Word's Out (1989) - Tito Swing
    - Promises, Promises (1989) - Tito Swing
    - Just Wild About Harry's Workshop (1989) - Tito Swing
    - Finders Keepers (1989) - Tito Swing
    - Impractical Jokes (1989) - Tito Swing
    - Ring in the Old (1989) - Tito Swing
    - Happy Accidents (1989) - Tito Swing
    - Two Old Hands (1989) - Tito Swing
    - Whistle While You Work (1989) - Tito Swing
    - Agree to Disagree (1989) - Tito Swing
    - Faith, Hope and Anxiety (1989) - Tito Swing
    - Show and Yell (1989) - Tito Swing
    - Pitching in and Helping Out (1989) - Tito Swing
    - And the Band Played Off (1989) - Tito Swing (voice)
    - Does It Bite? (1989) - Tito Swing (voice)
    - A Place Unlike Any Other (1989) - Tito Swing (voice)
    1993
    A Day in the Life of the Jukebox Band (Video short) as
    Tito Swing (voice)
    1993
    A Jukebox Lullaby (Video short) as
    Tito Swing (voice)
    1992
    Disney Aladdin: Iago Returns (Video short) as
    Jafar (voice)
    1992
    Aladdin as
    Jafar (voice)
    1990
    Mathnet (TV Series) as
    Joshua
    - The Case of the Unkidnapping (1990) - Joshua
    1990
    Shining Time Station: 'Tis a Gift (TV Movie) as
    Tito Swing (voice)
    1990
    A Shock to the System as
    Decorator in Bob's Office
    1989
    Kids-TV (TV Series) as
    D.J. Macaw
    1989
    The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd (TV Series) as
    Waiter #2
    - Here's a Cute Way to Wrap up the Holiday Season (1989) - Waiter #2
    1988
    Homeboy as
    Hotel Room Man
    1986
    Forever, Lulu as
    Don
    1976
    Let My Puppets Come as
    The Chauffeur (as Jonathan E. Freeman)
    Miscellaneous
    1991
    Shining Time Station (TV Series) (puppeteer - 1 episode)
    - Win, Lose or Draw (1991) - (puppeteer)
    Soundtrack
    2001
    Mickey's Magical Christmas: Snowed in at the House of Mouse (Video) (performer: "The Best Christmas Of All")
    1994
    The Return of Jafar (Video) (performer: "You're Only Second Rate")
    1989
    Shining Time Station (TV Series) (performer - 9 episodes)
    - Mr. Conductor's Movie (1993) - (performer: "No Business like Show Business")
    - Mr. Conductor's Fourth of July (1993) - (performer: "Born on the Fourth of July")
    - Becky Makes a Wish (1993) - (performer: "Elito Lindo")
    - Bully for Mr. Conductor (1993) - (performer: "Jamaican Farewell")
    - Schemer's Alone (1993) - (performer: "Polly Wolly Doodle")
    - Achoo (1991) - (performer: "Cosher Bailey's Engine")
    - Word's Out (1989) - (performer: "Jesse James")
    - Promises, Promises (1989) - (performer: "Oh, Susanna")
    - Does It Bite? (1989) - (performer: "Camptown Races")
    1992
    Aladdin (performer: "Prince Ali Reprise")
    Thanks
    2013
    Twisted: The Untold Story of a Royal Vizier (very special thanks)
    Self
    2020
    Broadway Profiles with Tamsen Fadal (TV Series) as
    Self
    - January 2020 (2020) - Self
    2016
    Life, Animated (Documentary) as
    Self
    2015
    The View (TV Series) as
    Self
    - Reunion of "Aladdin" Cast (2015) - Self
    2015
    Good Morning America (TV Series) as
    Self - Guest
    - Episode dated 9 October 2015 (2015) - Self - Guest
    2015
    Fanpop Interviews (TV Series) as
    Self - Guest
    2014
    The 68th Annual Tony Awards (TV Special) as
    Self - Presenter
    2004
    Broadway: The American Musical (TV Mini Series documentary) as
    Self
    - Syncopated City: 1919-1933 (2004) - Self (voice)
    - Give My Regards to Broadway: 1893-1927 (2004) - Self (voice)
    2004
    Diamond in the Rough: The Making of Aladdin (Video documentary) as
    Self
    1994
    The 48th Annual Tony Awards (TV Special) as
    Self - Nominee
    1992
    The Making of Aladdin: A Whole New World (TV Movie documentary) as
    Self
    1974
    The Dipsy Doodle Show (TV Special) as
    Jon
    Archive Footage
    2017
    Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 + 2.5 Remix (Video Game) as
    Jafar
    2013
    Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix (Video Game) as
    Jafar
    2011
    The Frollo Show (TV Series) as
    Jafar
    - Frollo has a Bad Feeling (2012) - Jafar
    - Frollo Beats Up Evil Residents (2012) - Jafar
    - Frollo Tries to Get Laid (2012) - Jafar
    - Frollo Misses his Mother (2011) - Jafar
    2010
    That Fellow in the Coat (TV Series) as
    Jafar
    - A Look Back at Disney's Sequels (2010) - Jafar
    2001
    Sayonara Disney's Fantillusion! (Short) as
    Jafar
    1995
    Disney's Fantillusion! (Short) as
    Jafar
    1992
    Fantasmic! (Short) as
    Jafar (Florida version)
    1988
    Disney Sing-Along-Songs: Very Merry Christmas Songs (Video short) as
    Jafar (2002 version)

    References

    Jonathan Freeman (actor) Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA