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OLTL's Daytime Emmy Winning Favorite Al Freeman Jr. Dies!

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Photo Credit: Getty Images

One of On-Air On-Soaps most beloved performers in the history of soaps, Al Freeman Jr. has died!  For many years, Al played Llanview police Captain Ed Hall on One Life to Live.  Freeman played the role from 1972 till 1987.  Many long time OLTL fans will remember his on-screen relationship with Ellen Holly (Carla).  But what we will always remember is the sweet and amazing friendship that Ed built with the hooker-with-the-heart-of-gold, Karen Wolek played by Judith Light.

Al Freeman was such a subtle performer of such dignity and charisma during his time on One Life.  He finally won his long overdue Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in 1979 and was the first African-American to win a Daytime Emmy.

News of Freeman’s death came on Friday from Howard University through this short statement.  “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.  Bey gave no details about the death of Freeman, who was 78 and taught acting at the Washington-based university, but said a bigger statement would be issued later.

Freeman Jr., was also widely recognized for his portrayal of Nation of Islam leader Elijah Muhammad in Spike Lee’s 1992 film Malcolm X, plus  countless television, film and theatre projects throughout his enduring career. Now after the jump watch some scenes with Al Freeman Jr as Ed Hall on One Life to Live, and then share your thoughts on his passing with us.

 

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Susan Csusan M.Carol PaintergloriaMBmomof3 Recent comment authors
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diane c
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diane c

Loved al freeman jr on oltl, as ed hall .great actor

Sharon B.
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Sharon B.

He was a great actor and will be missed by many. I didn’t know he won the First African Ameican Emmy. Also did not know he had been gone from OLTL that long!

Gmbenet
Guest
Gmbenet

I saw Al Freeman, Jr. on OLTL during the brief time that I watched the show. Later, he appeared on an episode of The Cosby Show as Heathcliff’s former track coach(?). When I saw him on The Cosby Show, I immediately associated him with OLTL.

Did not know Mr. Freeman had served as a professor at Howard University, but glad to hear it. Phylicia Rashad who played Clair Huxtable, also taught at Howard University. They had much to talk about if they served at the same time.

My condolences to Mr. Freeman’s family and Howard University.

margie
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margie

We were blessed to have him portray Ed Hall! Sad news of his passing. Our stars are so much biger than life. God bless he will RIP at home.

Sal Piscioneri
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Sal Piscioneri

How sad, Ed, Carla, Sadie and the Woleks (all) made OLTL tremendous to watch and I miss them all so much. This news just makes me sad of all we lost over the years on soaps.

dg
Guest
dg

He was an awesome, ground breaking actor who gave legitimacy to the genre. His era of One Life was classically indicative of Agnes Nixon’s vision of daytime. This is a huge loss, particularly for the African American acting community.

His portrayal of Elijah Mohammad in Malcolm X was nothing short of brilliant. He will be truly missed.

Debbie Harris
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Debbie Harris

So sad to hear of Al Freeman Jr.’s passing. Loved his portrayal of Ed Hall on OLTL and the romance/friendship between him and Carla. Ah, memories. OLTL forever!!
RIP Al Freeman Jr.

PAUL WILLIAMS
Guest
PAUL WILLIAMS

Seeing those old OLTL clips from ’84 brought back great memories of not only a great daytime soap, but also of a great actor like Al Freeman, Jr. It’s little wonder why he was such a success, not only on this show, but throughout his entire career, too. He always carried himself with such dignity, honor, and class! OLTL was very priveledged to have him as part of their cast! His presence will indeed be missed, but he’ll always be remembered for his great work, especially in “Malcolm X”. RIP, Al, and thank you for giving of yourself as you… Read more »

JLH
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JLH

I’ve never forgotten Ed Hall or the truly great actor who portrayed him. Ed/Al is very much a part of fond OLTL memories. Very sad news.

Llan fan
Guest
Llan fan

Great to hear Michael Zaslow’s piano playing again. We’ve lost so many great ones. No one these days compares to them. RIP Al et al.

ethel
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ethel

i remember when he started on oltl – what an awesome actor! my prayers & thoughts are with his family………………………

susan M.
Guest
susan M.

DITTO!!!!!!!!!

Elhu
Guest
Elhu

A class act and a beloved character who will always be remembered. May you rest in peace Al Freeman Jr.

Jose
Guest
Jose

RIP… what a great actor, class personified.

Brian Greene
Guest
Brian Greene

Rest In Peace, Dear Wonderful Al!

Iakovos
Guest
Iakovos

Freeman was a class act, it seems. I remember him on OLTL as Ed Hall and always wished as the years passed there would be a way to bring him back as Ed with Carla and others. I always loved the NYC-based daytime dramas for they were populated by such amazing talents. OLTL had many of them. Bless you, Al Freeman Jr.! You are remembered well.

Christy
Guest
Christy

I can still hear his voice in my head… he was a great actor on One Life to Live, but his acting career spanned from 1958 to 2004 (see IMDB for the long list). Not only was he the first African -American to win a Daytime Emmy Award, he was also the first African-American to direct a soap opera as he directed several episodes of One Life to Live.

I didn’t know about his teaching career but it seems to fit as he was such a great actor.

He will be greatly missed.

Christy
Guest
Christy

one door closes and another one opens…. today I read about news for 2 former OLTL actors – Al Freeman Jr.’s passing, and a birth of a first child for Brandon Routh (ex-Seth Anderson) and his wife Courtney Ford ( of True Blood), Leo James Routh, born Friday, August 10. On One Life to Live his character Seth came to Llanview in 2001 with Natalie Balsom and he knew Natalie, not Jessica, was Viki’s true daughter. … back when they didn’t know they were both Viki’s daughters, that is. You might remember Brandon more as the face of the new… Read more »

susan M.
Guest
susan M.

rememeber those days of OLTL, I watched with mt mom at that time….Ed Hall & Carla Gray marriage on OLTL Oct. of 1973……The Woleks………………….RIP…

susan M.
Guest
susan M.

When OLTL was in B&W……………………………….

susan M.
Guest
susan M.

Was a good old soul & will be missed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MBmomof3
Guest
MBmomof3

Great actor. Loved his OLTL character and he was in many of my favorite storylines. Especially the Ed and Carla/Clara story.

gloria
Guest
gloria

I can hear his voice right now. Reminds me of just how good OLTL always was & makes me miss it more than ever.

susan M.
Guest
susan M.

Ditto!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Carol Painter
Guest
Carol Painter

Awww, how sad, I didn’t expect to read this. I just check in every now and then, to read the top news, stories, and updates. How sad. I enjoyed watching him on OLTL.
sad News.
sigh…………

Susan C
Guest
Susan C

He will be greatly missed. And has been missed off screen for a long time. I also remember him fondly from Hot l Baltimore….very funny show and a different side to Mr. Freeman!

Days Of Our Lives

DAYS Alum Jensen Ackles on ‘The Winchesters’ Inability to Find New Home is a Case of ‘Unfortunate Timing’

Former Supernatural, Big Sky, and Days of our Lives star, Jensen Ackles (ex-Dean, ex-Beau, ex-Eric) took to social media on Saturday when the news broke that his series, The Winchesters, in which he executive produced, has run out of options to find a new home.

The show which aired for one season on the CW was a prequel to Supernatural.   In an update, The Winchesters producing studio, Warner Bros, attempted to find another network or streaming partner to move forward with the series after its cancellation.

Now comes word that all avenues have been exhausted.  All this, even though a #SavetheWinchesters campaign led by Ackles, himself, was attempted to bring some attention and heat on the show.

Photo: NBC

Jensen expressed his ‘thanks’ to the viewers and cited the current WGA writer’s strike as one of the main contributing factors to making the search for a new home for the series extremely daunting.

Ackles shared: “To all of you who watched, followed, and supported this story, THANK YOU. And to all those who brought this show to life…I couldn’t be more proud of what we all did together. But as they say…timing is everything. With a massive Network shift coupled with an industry strike…welp…that’s some unfortunate timing. Sleep well dear  @WinchestersOnCW…until we meet again. Somewhere down the road.”

Courtesy/CW

So, did you watch The Winchesters? Do you hope it can someday return? What did you think about the sentiments shared by Jensen Ackles? Comment below.

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General Hospital

GH’s Gavin Houston Teases How Zeke’s Love Life Is About to Take an Unexpected Turn

Next week on General Hospital, Gavin Houston returns as Portia’s (Brooke Kerr) brother, Zeke.  When viewers last saw Zeke, he was in Port Charles for Portia’a wedding to Curtis (Donnell Turner) back in February.

Photo: ABC

Fast-forward to June and Zeke is back. However, from the looks of it, Zeke might find love this time around, or is it something more casual?

According to preview in the latest issue of Soap Opera Digest, when Zeke settles in at the Metro Court he grabs a drink at the pool, and while there sees a very attractive woman.

Photo: ABC

Houston shared on the encounter, “He sees this attractive woman and tries to pick her up by being his fun-loving, charming self.  He buys her a drink and there is definitely some chemistry there.”

However, apparently this woman is someone who his sister, Portia, knows well.  The smart money is that he is hitting on Jordan, who has just walked out on a conversation with her ex-husband, Curtis.  This, following the two kissing and Curtis going back to his marriage with Zeke’s sister. But could the woman Zeke is impressed by be someone else?

Share your thoughts on Zeke’s return, and who you think will be the woman he is interested in via the comment section below.

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Eva Longoria on Reprising Her Role of ‘Desperate Housewives’ Gabby : “I Would Be The First to Sign Up for a Reboot”

Just where would Gabrielle Solis be today? That was the question posed to Eva Longoria, who is on a publicity campaign for her  directorial film debut with Flamin’ Hot.

The former Desperate Housewives star spoke with Access Hollywood’s Mario Lopez, where she revealed where she thinks Wisteria Lane’s Gabby would be today. Longoria chimed in, “She’d be an influencer for sure  … she’d be a social media mogul.”

When asked if she would be down for a revival of Desperate Housewives, Longoria enthusiastically said,  “I would be the first to sign up for a reboot. I miss Gabby so much. I miss being Gabby Ruiz.”

Photo: ABC

Even though, Desperate Housewives ran from 2004-2013, since its premiere 20 years ago times have changed.  The series creator, Marc Cherry, doesn’t seem so ready to bring back Wisteria Lane.

Longoria shared, “He feels like there’s no Why now?” She added that Cherry also expressed, “What do I have to say with these characters that we haven’t already fully mined?”

Photo: Hulu

Soap fans also recall Eva played Isabella on The Young and the Restless from 2001-2003, before joining Desperate Housewives a year later. Flamin Hot, which tells the biographical story of the invention of the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos” is set for release on Hulu and Disney+ on June 9th.

Would you want to see a reboot of Desperate Housewives? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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