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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 did, we’ll remember you always!

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.

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.

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

DITTO!!!!!!!!!

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

RIP… what a great actor, class personified.

Rest In Peace, Dear Wonderful Al!

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.

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.

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 Superman in the 2006 movie, Superman Returns.

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…

When OLTL was in B&W……………………………….

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

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

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

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

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…………

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!

Breaking News

REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital

For those who were holding out hope that Daytime Emmy winner and fan favorite, Nicholas Chavez would be returning to General Hospital after filming his leading role in Ryan Murphy’s Monsters anthology, it looks like those hopes have been dashed.

According to a report from TV Line, although unconfirmed from General Hospital or a representative for Chavez, the actor will not reprise his role as Spencer Cassadine on the long-running ABC soap opera and continue the love story of Sprina opposite Tabyana Ali (Trina, GH).

Chavez was cast as Lyle Menendez over the the summer of 2023 for the second season of Murphy’s limited Monsters series on Netflix. In the upcoming season, the series will focus on the the case of Lyle and Erik Menendez, the two well-to-do Beverly Hills brothers accused of murdering their parents in 1989.

Photo: ABC

After word from Chavez casting was revealed, GH fans were concerned over the fate of the Sprina story, a spokesperson for GH shared,  “We support Nicholas’ endeavors and look forward to having him return to General Hospital once this project is wrapped.”

In story, the series “killed off” Spencer when he went overboard with Esme to the steely waters below after being injected with a drug, thanks to Esme and falling into the Seine River in France. However, his body was never recovered, and believed to have drowned or washed away. Thus, leaving an opening for Spencer to return in the form of Chavez or be recast down the line.

Photo: ABC

TV Line shared that ‘multiple sources’ are confirming that Chavez is not returning to the ABC soap opera, which is what many had suspected might be the case once he left for this major starring role in a Ryan Murphy project. Chavez has been relatively quiet on social media for months.

Photo: ABC

The Michael Fairman Channel spoke with Nicholas Chavez for a virtual interview when he first joined the show in 2021, and spoke to him right after when he won the Daytime Emmy in 2022 – you can see those below.

No word yet on when Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story will debut on Netflix, but it is assumed later this year.

So, what do you think about the news of Nicholas Chavez not returning to his role as Spencer Cassadine on General Hospital? Comment below.

 

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Days Of Our Lives

DAYS and ‘Supernatural’ Alum Jensen Ackles Joins the Cast of Justin Hartley’s CBS Series ‘Tracker’

Look who’s joining Justin Hartley’s hit freshman drama, Tracker! None other than another soap alum, former Days of our Lives and Supernatural favorite Jensen Ackles.

In a reveal via Hartley’s Instagram on Thursday, Ackles is set to play Hartley’s on-screen brother on the CBS procedural drama. In Tracker, Colter Shaw is estranged from his brother, Russell, which has been a big part of the mystery of season one.

Ackles is best known for his long run as Dean Winchester in The CW’s Supernatural, a role he reprised in the prequel of the series The Winchesters. He also recently starred in ABC’s Big Sky as Sheriff Beau Arlen and in The Boys as Soldier Boy.

Photo: CBS

Jensen was the original Eric Brady on Days of our Lives, a role he played from 1997-2000, before departing for the world of primetime and film.  Eric was in love with Nicole played by Arianne Zucker. The part of Eric was recast with Greg Vaughan taking over the role in 2012.

Photo: JPI

In his Instagram post, Justin thanked everyone for watching Tracker, and then revealed Ackles as the surprise casting announcement in the role of Russell, while Jensen was playing pinball in the video! No word yet on when Jensen’s first episode as Russell will air. Stay tuned.

Check out Justin’s casting post featuring Jensen Ackles below.  So, what do you think of Justin and Jensen playing brothers on Tracker? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

 

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General Hospital

Jack Wagner Open to Making an Appearance in ‘Melrose Place’ Reboot and Shares, “You Never Really Die on a Soap”

With the Melrose Place revival the talk of the town, now Jack Wagner (ex-Frisco, GH, ex-Nick, B&B and ex-Peter Burns, MP) has weighed-in on it and if he would show up in the new series if it should find a home.

Currently, CBS Studios is developing a reboot starring Heather Locklear, Daphne Zuniga and Laura Leighton. But what is Dr. Peter Burns were to show up alive?

As those who saw the end of the original MP know, Peter and Amanda (Locklear) faked their deaths and then tied the knot with Peter on a beach, supposedly in a “happily ever after” scenario.

Photo: Fox

Speaking with PEOPLE, Wagner expressed, what we all know who watch the soaps, that no one is never, ever really gone for good. Jack expressed, “You never really die on a soap, right? How they unfold those two characters (Peter and Amanda), it’d be fantastic how they sort of tell that story.”

Wagner added, “That was a great finale to be included in, especially with Heather. If I’m asked to come back, I’d absolutely entertain that.”

Photo: Fox

The original Melrose Place aired for seven seasons from 1992 to 1999. The story featured the residents of an apartment complex, whose lives were intertwined. Eventually Wagner and Heather Locklear dated fro 2007-2011.

As previously reported, the new Melrose Place share that some of original neighbors and friends reunite after a death. The loglines add, “The pressure cooker of a reunion soon uncovers old traumas, rekindles old romances, reignites old resentments, and reveals new secrets… throwing our characters into chaotic drama that’s reminiscent of the past, but with a much more modern perspective.”

So, would you like to see Jack Wagner return as Dr. Peter Burns on Melrose Place, or Frisco Jones on GH, or both? Comment below.

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