In Memoriam

In Memoriam: Al Freeman Jr., legendary actor, dies at 78

Pioneering actor Al Freeman Jr. , best known for his role as Elijah Muhammad in Spike Lee’s 1992 film “Malcolm X” has died, said Howard University. He was 78.

Published

13 years ago

August 11, 2012

UVM Staff

Al Freeman Jr., Legendary Actor, Dead At 78

Al Freeman Jr and Denzel Washington in Malcolm X

Pioneering actor Al Freeman Jr. , best known for his role as Elijah Muhammad in Spike Lee’s 1992 film “Malcolm X” has died, said Howard University.

He was 78.

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Al Freeman Jr death details

“It is with tremendous sadness that the passing of our beloved Professor Al Freeman Jr. is confirmed,” Kim James Bey, chair of the university’s theater department said in a statement.

Freeman was a faculty member at the university.

The university gave no details on Freeman’s death, but said a statement would be released later.

Career

Al Freeman Jr’s long career in film, television and theater included an enduring role playing police Captain Ed Hall on the TV soap opera “One Life to Live” from 1972 through 1987.

He was credited with being the first African American to win a Daytime Emmy Award for outstanding lead actor for his work on the soap opera, a prize he was awarded in 1979.

Freeman’s theater credits included a starring role on Broadway in James Baldwin’s “Blues for Mister Charlie” in 1964.

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Related Topics:blacks in history celebrity deaths HBCU Howard University

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Unheard Voices, an award-winning, family-operated online news magazine, began in 2004 as a community newsletter serving Neptune, Asbury Park, and Long Branch, N.J. Over time, it grew into a nationally recognized Black-owned media outlet. The publication remains one of the few dedicated to covering social justice issues. Its honors include the NAACP Unsung Hero Award and multiple media innovator awards for excellence in social justice reporting and communications.