Al Freeman Jr.
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Biography
Al Freeman Jr., son of actor Al Freeman, began his own acting career in 1958. He worked on several television shows before appearing in the 1964 film "Black Like Me," an adaptation of John Howard Griffin's classic nonfiction account of racial attitudes in the late '50s. Several years later, Freeman played the role of Howard in Francis Ford Coppola's Oscar-nominated film "Finian's Rainbow" starring Fred Astaire. Freeman landed his first major part in 1970, with the title role in "My Sweet Charlie" costarring Patty Duke; he earned his first Emmy nomination for his performance. He received his second Emmy nom in 1979, playing Malcolm X on the acclaimed miniseries "Roots: The Next Generations." Freeman played other important characters in the Civil Rights struggle as well, in the miniseries "King" and in Spike Lee's film "Malcolm X," where he portrayed Malcolm X's spiritual teacher, Elijah Muhammad. In addition to his acting work, Freeman has directed episodes of the long-running soap opera "One Life to Live," and teaches acting at Howard University.
Filmography
Director (Feature Film)
Cast (Feature Film)
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Film Production - Main (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Cast (TV Mini-Series)
Life Events
1953
Made film acting debut in "The Clown"
1954
Stage acting debut, L.A. showcase production of "Detective Story"
1960
Made Broadway debut in "The Long Dream"
1964
Co-starred in the musical version of "Golden Boy"
1964
Appeared in "Blues for Mr. Charlie"
1965
Made London stage debut reprising role in "Blues for Mr. Charlie"
1966
Reprised stage role of Clay in the film version of "Dutchman"
1968
Appeared in "Finian's Rainbow"
1970
Recieved Emmy nomination for starring role opposite Patty Duke in the NBC TV-movie "My Sweet Charlie"; released theatrically
1970
Starred in the short-lived musical "Look to the Lillies," based on the film "Lillies of the Field" (1963)
1971
Last film for over 15 years, "A Fable"; also produced and directed
1978
Starred as policeman Ed Hall on the popular ABC daytime drama "One Life to Live"; won Daytime Emmy in 1979 for the role
1979
Cast as Malcolm X in the ABC miniseries "Roots: The Next Generations"
1988
Returned to features in "Seven Hours to Judgment"
1992
Served as chair of the theater department at Howard University
1992
Received sterling reviews for his portrayal of Elijah Muhammed in Spike Lee's biopic "Malcolm X"
1994
Co-starred in the Showtime movie " Assault at West Point: The Court-Martial of Johnson Whittaker"
1995
Landed recurring role as police commissioner James Harris on "Homicide: Life on the Street" (NBC)
1998
Played the patriarch in "Down in the Delta," directed by Maya Angelou
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