Florence Freeman (actress)
American actress (1911–2000)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Florence Freeman (July 29, 1911 – April 25, 2000) was an actress in old-time radio. She was known as a "soap opera queen" for her work in daytime serial dramas.[1]
New York State College for Teachers
Columbia University
Florence Freeman | |
|---|---|
Florence Freeman (Ellen Brown) from the radio daytime drama Young Widder Brown | |
| Born | July 29, 1911 |
| Died | April 25, 2000 (aged 88) |
| Other name | Florence Freeman Berman |
| Alma mater | Wells College New York State College for Teachers Columbia University |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Known for | Acting in soap operas on radio |
Early years
Freeman was born in New York City and grew up in Albany, New York.[2] One of her earliest performances came when she was six and gave a recitation of a poem at a World War rally.[3] In high school, she won a medal for dramatics.[4]
Freeman attended Wells College,[5] where she was Campus Queen,[4] New York State College for Teachers, and Columbia University[5] preparing to become a teacher. She taught English before becoming an actress.[6]
Before Freeman began her career in radio, she acted in summer stock theater.[5]
Radio
Freeman's initial job in radio came in 1933 as the result of a challenge. After a friend dared her "to make good as a radio actress", Freeman applied — and was hired —[7] at WOKO in Albany, New York.[4] She went on to become a member of the casts of a number of serials in old-time radio, including being "the heroine of not one but two serials that ran more than a decade."[8]
In 1949, Freeman won the "Your Favorite Daytime Serial Actress" award from Radio Mirror magazine.[9] Her roles on some programs are indicated in the table below.
| Program | Role |
|---|---|
| Dot and Will | Dot Horton[10] |
| Jane Arden | Betty Harrison[10]: 172 |
| Love and Learn | Sue Blake[11] |
| The Open Door | Lisa Arnold[12] |
| Pepper Young's Family | Connie[13] |
| Valiant Lady | Joan Blaine[10]: 346 |
| Wendy Warren and the News | Wendy Warren[14] |
| A Woman of America | Prudence Dane Barker[15] |
| Young Widder Brown | Ellen Brown[16] |
She was also a regular on Maxwell House Show Boat,[17] John's Other Wife,[18]: 351 Abie's Irish Rose,[18] Are You a Missing Heir?[19] and Love and Learn.[20]
Personal life
Freeman was married to Rabbi Samuel A. Berman[21] of Temple Beth-El in Jersey City, New Jersey, they had three children. Her husband died in 1998.[22] Freeman died April 25, 2000, aged 88, in Grant Park, Illinois.[1]
