James E. Freeman (February 2, 1946 – August 9, 2014) was an American actor. He was known to film audiences for his portrayals of intimidating villains, like Marcelles Santos in David Lynch's Wild at Heart (1990), Eddie Dane in the Coen brothers' Miller's Crossing (1990), and Dr. Wren in Alien Resurrection (1997).
Early life Freeman was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1946. He attended Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School, where he was a three-year member of the track team. He graduated from Bishop Loughlin in 1964. As a high school student, he was assertively conservative.
Out of high school, Freeman enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. At age 22, he revealed his sexuality to the Marine Corps, leading to his discharge. He moved to San Francisco, where trained as an actor at Shelton Studios in the 1970s.
Career Freeman was nominated for best actor for playing Teach in the West Coast premiere of David Mamet's American Buffalo. His other stage credits included Marsha Norman's Getting Out for the Portland Stage Company in 1982, and a stint at the Actors Theatre of Louisville in 1983.
His first feature film appearance was in the Chuck Norris action movie An Eye for an Eye (1981), playing a tow-truck driver. During the decade, he played guest spots on various television series like Hill Street Blues and MacGyver. His breakout performance was as Marcelles Santos, a ruthless gangster, in David Lynch's Wild at Heart (1990). That same year, he was subsequently cast as intimidating mob henchman Eddie Dane in the Coens' Miller's Crossing (1990).
Other notable films in which he played include Ruthless People (1986) as the "Bedroom Killer", Patriot Games (1992) as CIA agent Marty Cantor, Dr. Mason Wren in Alien Resurrection (1997), Copycat (1995) as police lieutenant Thomas Quinn, and Go (1998) as strip-club owner Vic Sr.
Personal life Freeman was gay."Letters to datebook". sfgate.com, June 26, 2009. He had been HIV-positive since around 1984. In 2009, he published a letter to the editor on SFGate, describing his reminiscences of the 1969 Stonewall riots.
He retired from acting in 2007."Facebook: About J.e." Freeman wrote poetry and had a Tumblr blog ("Freedapoet") dedicated to his work.
Death Freeman died in the evening of August 9, 2014. He was 68.
Filmography
1981: An Eye for an Eye – Tow Truck Dude 1983: Twice Upon a Time – Rusher of Din – Pool Player 1986: Stingray (1x01 – Ancient Eyes) 1986: Ruthless People – The Bedroom Killer 1986: Hard Traveling – Ed Sloan 1988: Terrorist on Trial: The United States vs. Salim Ajami (TV movie) – 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 Schreiber 1991: The Doctor – Ralph 1991: Aces: Iron Eagle III – Ames 1992: Memphis (TV movie) – Podjo Harris 1992: Patriot Games – Marty Cantor 1992: Highlander: The Series – Joe Scanlon (1x02 – Family Tree) 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. Mason 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 movie) – Police commander 2003: Mystery Woman (TV movie) – Ian Philby 2004: Tremors 4: The Legend Begins (Video) – Old Fred
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