Kathleen Freeman

Born:February 17, 1919

Place of Birth:Chicago, Illinois, USA

Died:August 23, 2001

Known For:Acting

Biography

Kathleen Freeman, born on February 17, 1919, left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry with her versatile talents as a film, television, voice, and stage actress. Her career, which flourished for over five decades, showcased her ability to bring to life a variety of characters, from acerbic maids to nosy neighbors, with a comedic flair that delighted audiences worldwide.

Throughout her extensive filmography, Kathleen Freeman became known for her impeccable comedic timing and her knack for stealing scenes with her sharp wit and memorable performances. Whether she was portraying a no-nonsense secretary, a strict teacher, a caring nurse, or a meddling relative, she brought depth and humor to each role she inhabited, making her a sought-after talent in the industry.

On the silver screen, Kathleen Freeman's presence was magnetic, capturing the essence of the characters she played with authenticity and charm. Her ability to infuse even the smallest roles with personality and humor set her apart as a true scene-stealer, earning her a special place in the hearts of audiences and critics alike.

In the realm of television, Kathleen Freeman's talent shone just as brightly, as she graced the small screen with her unforgettable performances. Her versatility as an actress allowed her to seamlessly transition between various roles, showcasing her range and depth as a performer while bringing joy and laughter to viewers of all ages.

As a voice actress, Kathleen Freeman lent her talents to animated characters, imbuing each role with her unique charm and charisma. Her distinctive voice brought animated personalities to life, adding an extra layer of depth and dimension to the characters she portrayed, further solidifying her reputation as a consummate professional in the world of voice acting.

On the stage, Kathleen Freeman's presence was equally captivating, as she brought her theatrical prowess to live audiences, enchanting theatergoers with her dynamic performances and magnetic stage presence. Her ability to command the stage with grace and humor solidified her status as a beloved and respected figure in the world of theater.

Throughout her illustrious career, Kathleen Freeman's dedication to her craft and her passion for storytelling shone through in every role she undertook. Her commitment to excellence and her unwavering work ethic served as an inspiration to aspiring actors and actresses, earning her the admiration and respect of her peers in the industry.

Kathleen Freeman's legacy as a trailblazing actress endures to this day, as her body of work continues to entertain and inspire audiences around the world. Her contributions to film, television, theater, and voice acting have left an indelible mark on the entertainment landscape, cementing her status as a true icon of the silver screen.

On August 23, 2001, Kathleen Freeman passed away, leaving behind a rich legacy of unforgettable performances and timeless characters that will forever be remembered by fans and admirers alike. Her impact on the world of entertainment remains profound, as her talent, wit, and charm continue to resonate with audiences of all generations, ensuring that her memory will live on for years to come.

Images

Filmography

Acting

Shrek

Old Woman (voice)

2001

It ain't easy bein' green -- especially if you're a likable (albeit smelly) ogre named Shrek. On a mission to retrieve a gorgeous princess from the clutches of a fire-breathing dragon, Shrek teams up with an unlikely compatriot -- a wisecracking donkey.

Hercules

Heavyset Woman (voice)

1997

Bestowed with superhuman strength, a young mortal named Hercules sets out to prove himself a hero in the eyes of his father, the great god Zeus. Along with his friends Pegasus, a flying horse, and Phil, a personal trainer, Hercules is tricked by the hilarious, hotheaded villain Hades, who's plotting to take over Mount Olympus!

The Blues Brothers

Sister Mary Stigmata

1980

Jake Blues, just released from prison, puts his old band back together to save the Catholic home where he and his brother Elwood were raised.

Hocus Pocus

Miss Olin

1993

After 300 years of slumber, three sister witches are accidentally resurrected in Salem on Halloween night, and it is up to three kids and their newfound feline friend to put an end to the witches' reign of terror once and for all.

Naked Gun 33⅓: The Final Insult

Muriel

1994

Frank Drebin is persuaded out of retirement to go undercover in a state prison. There he has to find out what top terrorist, Rocco, has planned for when he escapes. Adding to his problems, Frank's wife, Jane, is desperate for a baby.

Singin' in the Rain

Phoebe Dinsmore (uncredited)

1952

In 1927 Hollywood, a silent film production company and cast make a difficult transition to sound.

The Sting

Kid Twist's Wife (uncredited)

1973

A novice con man teams up with an acknowledged master to avenge the murder of a mutual friend by pulling off the ultimate big con and swindling a fortune from a big-time mobster.

Gremlins 2: The New Batch

Microwave Marge

1990

Young sweethearts Billy and Kate move to the Big Apple, land jobs in a high-tech office park and soon reunite with the friendly and lovable Gizmo. But a series of accidents creates a whole new generation of Gremlins. The situation worsens when the devilish green creatures invade a top-secret laboratory and develop genetically altered powers, making them even harder to destroy!

FernGully: The Last Rainforest

Edler (voice)

1992

When a sprite named Crysta shrinks a human boy, Zak, down to her size, he vows to help the magical fairy folk stop a greedy logging company from destroying their home: the pristine rainforest known as FernGully. Zak and his new friends fight to defend FernGully from lumberjacks — and the vengeful spirit they accidentally unleash after chopping down a magic tree.

Innerspace

Dream Lady

1987

Test pilot Tuck Pendleton volunteers to test a special vessel for a miniaturization experiment. Accidentally injected into a neurotic hypochondriac, Jack Putter, Tuck must convince Jack to find his ex-girlfriend, Lydia Maxwell, to help him extract Tuck and his ship and re-enlarge them before his oxygen runs out.

Joe Dirt

Joe Dirt's Foster Mother (uncredited)

2001

Joe Dirt is a janitor with a mullet hairdo, acid-washed jeans and a dream to find the parents that he lost at the Grand Canyon when he was a belligerent, trailer park-raised eight-year-old. Now, blasting Van Halen in his jacked-up economy car, the irrepressibly optimistic Joe hits the road alone in search of his folks.

Dragnet

Enid Borden

1987

LAPD Sgt. Joe Friday -- the equally straight-laced nephew of the famous police sergeant of the same name -- is paired up with a young, freewheeling detective named Pep Streebeck. After investigating some strange robberies at the local zoo and the theft of a stockpile of pornographic magazines, they uncover cult activity in the heart of the city and are hot on the case to figure out who's behind it all.

Nutty Professor II: The Klumps

Denise's Nosy Neighbor (uncredited)

2000

The hilarity begins when professor Sherman Klump finds romance with fellow DNA specialist, Denise Gaines, and discovers a brilliant formula that reverses aging. But Sherman's thin and obnoxious alter ego, Buddy Love, wants out...and a big piece of the action. And when Buddy gets loose, things get seriously nutty.

The Seven Year Itch

Woman at Vegetarian Restaurant (uncredited)

1955

With his family away for their annual summer holiday, a publishing executive decides to live a bachelor's life. The beautiful but ditzy blonde from the apartment above catches his eye and they soon start spending time together—maybe a little too much time!

Little Nemo: Adventures in Slumberland

Dance Teacher (voice)

1989

A little boy whose dreams transcend reality is sucked into his own fantasy, which is everything he has dreamed of, until he unleashes an old secret that may not only destroy this perfect dream world but reality itself.

The Fly

Emma

1958

Industrialist François Delambre is called late at night by his sister-in-law, Helene Delambre, who tells him that she has just killed her husband, André. Reluctant at first, she eventually explains to the police that André invented a matter transportation apparatus and, while experimenting on himself, a fly entered the chamber during the matter transference.

The Naked City

Stout Young Woman on an Elevated Train (Uncredited)

1948

After a former model is drowned in her bathtub, Detective James Halloran and Lieutenant Dan Muldoon attempt to piece together her murder.

Dutch

Gritzi

1991

To get to know his girlfriend's son, a man volunteers to pick him up from a prep school... only to learn that her son's not the nicest kid.

Point Blank

First Citizen

1967

After being double-crossed and left for dead, a mysterious man named Walker single-mindedly tries to retrieve the rather inconsequential sum of money that was stolen from him.

The Nutty Professor

Millie Lemmon

1963

A timid, nearsighted chemistry teacher discovers a magical potion that can transform him into a suave and handsome Romeo. The Jekyll and Hyde game works well enough until the concoction starts to wear off at the most embarrassing times.

Monkey Business

Mrs. Brannigan - Neighbor (uncredited)

1952

Research chemist Barnaby Fulton works on a fountain of youth pill for a chemical company. One of the labs chimps gets loose in the laboratory and mixes chemicals, but then pours the mix into the water cooler. When trying one of his own samples, washed down with water from the cooler, Fulton begins to act just like a twenty-year-old and believes his potion is working. Soon his wife and boss are also behaving like children.

The Greatest Show on Earth

Spectator (uncredited)

1952

To ensure a full profitable season, circus manager Brad Braden engages The Great Sebastian, though this moves his girlfriend Holly from her hard-won center trapeze spot. Holly and Sebastian begin a dangerous one-upmanship duel in the ring, while he pursues her on the ground.

The Bad and the Beautiful

Miss March (uncredited)

1952

Told in flashback form, the film traces the rise and fall of a tough, ambitious Hollywood producer, Jonathan Shields, as seen through the eyes of various acquaintances, including a writer, James Lee Bartlow; a star, Georgia Lorrison; and a director, Fred Amiel. He is a hard-driving, ambitious man who ruthlessly uses everyone on the way to becoming one of Hollywood's top movie makers.

Ready to Rumble

Jane King

2000

Two slacker wrestling fans are devastated by the ousting of their favorite character by an unscrupulous promoter.

Support Your Local Gunfighter

Mrs. Perkins

1971

A con artist arrives in a mining town controlled by two competing companies. Both companies think he's a famous gunfighter and try to hire him to drive the other out of town.

The Errand Boy

Mrs. Helen Paramutual

1961

Paramutual Pictures wants to know where all the money is going so they hire Morty to be their spy. Morty works for Mr. Sneak and gets a job in the mail room so that he can have access to the lot. But all that Morty ever finds is that he can cause havoc no matter what he does.

Who's Minding the Store?

Mrs. Glucksman

1963

Jerry Lewis plays Norman Phiffer, a proud man in a humble life, who doesn't know that his girlfriend, Barbara, is heir to the Tuttle Department Store dynasty. Mrs. Tuttle, Barbara's mother, is determined to split the two lovers, and hires Norman in an attempt to humiliate him enough that Barbara leaves him. Will she ruin their love, or will he ruin her store?