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Credits included 'Malcolm X,' 'One Life to Live'
WASHINGTON Al Freeman Jr., an Emmy Award-winning actor and professor at Howard University in Washington who played Elijah Muhammad in the 1992 Spike Lee film "Malcolm X," died Aug. 9, said a Howard spokeswoman, Kerry-Ann Hamilton. He was 78. The cause and location of his death were not disclosed.
Mr. Freeman was an established actor on Broadway, in films and on television long before he came to Howard in the late 1980s. He won a Daytime Emmy Award in 1979 for his long-running role as Ed Hall, a police captain on the ABC soap opera "One Life to Live."
Earlier in his career, Mr. Freeman had acted in the original Broadway productions of "Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright," alongside Cicely Tyson, and in James Baldwin's "Blues for Mister Charlie."
He appeared in more than a dozen films and was nominated for an Emmy Award for his portrayal of Malcolm X in the 1979 miniseries "Roots: The Next Generations."
But it was a different character that cemented Mr. Freeman's reputation. After auditioning three times for Lee, Mr. Freeman won the part of Elijah Muhammad, the Nation of Islam leader who had a contentious relationship with Malcolm, played in the film by Denzel Washington.
Mr. Freeman prepared for the role by listening to Elijah's speeches and by raising the pitch of his deep baritone voice.
"I had never seen Elijah alive, but I had heard him on the radio," Mr. Freeman told The Washington Post in 1992. "His voice was an octave higher than mine, and he put sentences together in an odd way. The difficult part was not to imitate but to give an essence."
When he appeared for the first read-through of the script, other cast members were astonished by his preparation and by the realistic intensity he brought to the role.
"When we came to the set, he was great," Lee said Saturday in an interview. "What was I going to tell him? He's one of the great actors of all time."
Film critic Gene Siskel told Ebony magazine in 1993 that "more than one person who was very familiar with what the real Elijah Muhammad looked like . . . wondered if they were watching documentary footage of him, somehow taken in color."
After the film was released, Mr. Freeman became something of an overnight star on the Howard campus.
"Now he can't walk to class without students stopping to tell him how great he was or ask him for his autograph," a student told Ebony. "There really is a whole new spirit of appreciation for him."
Albert Cornelius Freeman Jr. was born March 21, 1934, in San Antonio. He grew up there and in Columbus, Ohio, where his father, a jazz pianist, settled after a divorce.
In the early 1950s, Mr. Freeman attended Los Angeles City College, where he became interested in acting. After serving in the Air Force, he began to appear in television and theatrical productions. He was affiliated with the Actor's Studio in New York for many years and later received a master's degree in education from the University of Massachusetts.
His first major Broadway role came in 1962 in "Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright," a family drama set in New Orleans. Two years later, he gained acclaim in Baldwin's "Blues for Mister Charlie" as Richard Henry, a lynching victim loosely based on Emmett Till, who was killed in Mississippi in 1955.
Mr. Freeman also appeared in "The Slave" and "Dutchman," two plays by LeRoi Jones (now known as Amiri Baraka), as well as several of Joseph Papp's Shakespeare-in-the-park productions.
His movie roles included playing a police detective opposite Frank Sinatra in the socially conscious 1968 film "The Detective." He also had a part in Fred Astaire's last musical, "Finian's Rainbow" (1968), directed by Francis Ford Coppola.
Over the years, Mr. Freeman made frequent appearances on network TV series, including guest spots on "The Mod Squad," "Kojak," "Maude" and "The Cosby Show."
After appearing on "One Life to Live" for 15 years, Mr. Freeman came to Howard in 1988 as a visiting artist-in-residence. He joined the faculty full time in 1991 and spent six years as chairman of the theater department. He retired in May.
Mr. Freeman occasionally directed productions at Howard and at the Vineyard Playhouse on Martha's Vineyard.
His marriage to Sevara Clemon ended in divorce. Complete information about survivors was not available.
Mr. Freeman lived for many years on a sailboat at the Washington Marina. He planned to sail to the Caribbean but "never got farther south than Washington" in part, he said, because of his attachment to his students.
"This will sound corny," he told Ebony, "but these little twerps are the most important people in my life. I get more from them than they get from me. Teaching really has renewed me."
28 Entries
Will always remember you , love you Mr Freeman ❤
Pam Booker
October 19, 2019
As you remember your beloved one, may our Father, the God of peace, give you comfort and peace in every way today, tomorrow, and always. Please accept my sincere condolences.
August 19, 2019
Godspeed Al, and thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
Harry Simpson
August 9, 2017
I met Al Freeman once but have seen his work on television many times. He complimented me on a role I did in a scene from Raisin at the Audelco Awards which he attended. I was elated to have met him. May he rest in eternal peace.
L. Bellamy
Lois Bellamy
December 31, 2016
MANY MANY BLESSINGS.....THANKS FOR SHARING ONE'S TALENT.....GONE NOT FORGOTTEN
Valenda Newell
July 21, 2016
I will forever remember his roll in Once Upon a Time When We were Colored and Malcolm X. His talent will be missed.
LeRae Troutman
July 21, 2016
Mr.Al will be greatly miss
Moneaca Walton
August 21, 2015
I Just found out Al had died. I am truly sorry. He was a great performer; a great actor. I don't understand how I could have missed the news or announcement of his death. Well, we have to treasure his former movies more sincere now there won't be any more new movies. Have fun in haven Al.
Carrie Hudson
February 20, 2014
I am watching a Cosby episode in which Mr. Freeman guest stars. It got me thinking about what a good actor he was & all the shows I have enjoyed watching him in, OLTL being a huge part of mt memories. In looking him up I learned of his death just over a year ago. My sincere condolences go out to all family & friends who have lost a close member of their lives. We fans are blessed for that part of him he shared with the world!
Kathy
October 12, 2013
This message comes late- I guess I have been out of the loop. I loved Al Freeman Jr. I have been a fan of his forever. His talent will be missed and may he rest in heavanly peace.
Darness Holden
May 17, 2013
Will miss your acting talents. You were very convincing in "Malcolm X" and in "Down in the Delta". One of the Hollywood greats.
Mary Jeffers
April 16, 2013
RIP I enjoyed the many years of you sharing your talent. You were a gifted actor! My favorite of all your work was Down In The Delta! To his family thank you for sharing this fantastic man!
Bernadette Fisher-Charles
January 28, 2013
Just find out about Al Freeman's Death, one of my favorite actors on "one life to live" captain Ed Hall, and Carla...he was an extremely talented actor....i will pray for the family......
mona lisa cohen
November 15, 2012
To family and friends always keep your memories close to your heart. May God keep and bless all. Love Cousin Rose
Rose McGarity
November 5, 2012
Well done thy faithful servant!
Roni Holland
September 27, 2012
omg i had no idea you died. i saw your name at another site .. may you rest in peace i watched you for many years on one life to live
my condolences to your family
debbie
September 18, 2012
You will forever be remembered as a police officer on 'One Life to Live'. RIP
Ansel Payne
September 14, 2012
you will always be remembered B.Ross Burton S>F>calif.
September 12, 2012
I'll never forget him in "My Sweet Charlie" with Patty Duke.
Kai Williams
August 23, 2012
You will be truly missed. I will cherish every phone conversation. They were such a treat. God loves you and so do I. With love from your cousin Lila and family
Lila Hicks
August 22, 2012
KATHY & BUDDY BARNETT
August 20, 2012
May you rest in peace my brother. You are TRULY an ICON, GENTLEMAN, and a SCHOLAR. Even though I didn't know you personally I'm just a fan, christian , and even better your brother in Christ.. I send my condolences to yours, and pray that your family will remain strong. You are DEFINATELY in the right place. Say hello to evryone in heaven for me. Your fan, brother, Sandy.
Sandy Rivera
August 16, 2012
You will be truly miss by all of your family and friends here in Texas.
Portia Massey
August 15, 2012
R I P AL. I will truly miss you
Portia Massey
August 15, 2012
Rest in peace brother. Now you are in heaven with Mom and Grandma. Wish I could attend, but I know you will still watch over me....Love your brother Richard Barr
Richard Barr
August 15, 2012
Condolences to Mrs. Sevara Freeman & the Freeman Family. R.I.P. Uncle Al
Sherely D. Coleman, Beaumont, Texas
August 14, 2012
Thank you for allowing us to escape the real world by watching you act. Cpt. Ed Hall made me want to be a police officer. RIP my brother.
Terri Curry
August 14, 2012
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
debra thomas
August 14, 2012
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