J. E. Freeman obit

J. E. Freeman – ‘Wild at Heart’ and ‘Miller’s Crossing’ gangster, has died aged 68.

He was not on the list.

J. E. Freeman – who portrayed hired mobster Marcello Santos in David Lynch’s crime thriller Wild at Heart (1990), and was the henchman Eddie Dane in the Coen Brothers gangster film Miller’s Crossing (1990), has died aged 68.

His death, in the evening of August 9th 2014, was confirmed to me by his agent Christopher Black.

As per Mr Freeman’s wishes, no memorial or official announcement of his passing was to be made at that time.

His first movie appearance was in action film An Eye for an Eye (1981) in which he played a tow-truck driver who minces words with Chuck Norris.


‘He was an extraordinary actor and person and I count myself fortunate to have known and represented him’, his agent told me in an email on November 3 2014.

J. E. Freeman also appeared in Alien: Resurrection (1997), the fourth installment of the Alien film series.

He was Dr Mason Wren, the head of the scientific team that successfully clones Ellen Ripley.

In the black comedy Ruthless People (1986), he is the local serial killer ‘The Bedroom Killer’ whose death occurs after he falls down the basement stairs.

He also appeared in Patriot Games (1992) , Copycat (1995), and played Victor Sr., the owner of the strip club in Go (1999). He appeared in one episode of Hallmark's Mystery Woman opposite Kellie Martin as Philby.

The cause of his passing was not disclosed.

Filmography

    1981: An Eye for an Eye - Tow Truck Dude

    1983: Twice Upon a Time - Rusher of Din - Pool Player

    1986: Ruthless People - The Bedroom Killer

    1986: Hard Travelling - 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 - Marcellus Santos

    1990: Miller's Crossing - Eddie Dane

    1991: One Good Cop - Captain Shreiber

    1991: The Doctor - Ralph

    1991: Aces: Iron Eagle III - Ames

    1992: Memphis (TV Movie) - Podjo Harris

    1992: Patriot Games - Marty Cantor

    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