Jonathan Freeman: Disney Film and Theatre Legend
You might remember from some of my previous blog pieces how I’ve mentioned the colorful history of actors who have portrayed classic Disney villains (i.e. Eleanor Audley as Wicked Stepmother/Maleficent and Betty Lou Gerson as Cruella De Vill) and if they’ve played any other roles besides those villains. In this piece I would like to tell you about another actor who best known for his portrayal of a Disney villain-one who has acted in Television, Film, and Broadway: Jonathan Freeman.
Jonathan Freeman voiced Jafar in Aladdin (1992) and reprised the role for the direct-to-video sequel, The Return of Jafar (1994). He took it a step further, recreating the role of Jafar for Aladdin on Broadway where he is currently playing today. In addition to originating the role of Jafar in “Aladdin,” on Broadway, Freeman also originated the role of Grimsby, Prince Eric’s elderly guardian in The Little Mermaid on Broadway. I had the good fortune of getting to see Mr. Freeman in this role when it premiered at Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in 2008. Prior to that, in 2006, Freeman took over the role of Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast, starring opposite Ashley Brown as Belle. Brown would go on to originate the role of Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins. Freeman would go on to take over the role of Admiral Boom and the Bank Chairman in “Poppins,” in 2009.
Beyond his work for Disney, Jonathan Freeman acted in several “Revival” musical productions on Broadway, including How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, On The Town, 42nd Street, The Producers, and She Loves Me, which earned him a Tony Award Nomination for Best Performance by a Featured Actor in Musical in 1994. On Television, he portrayed Tito Swing on Shining Time Station (1989-1995) and made appearances in episodes of Law and Order: Special Victims Unit (1999-present) and Law and Order: Criminal Intent (2001-2011).
He also lent his voice to several Disney-produced television shows including Disney’s House of Mouse (2001-2003), where he reprised the role of Jafar, Lilo and Stitch: The Series (2003-2006), and American Dragon: Jake Long (2005-2007). He had bit parts in the movies Forever, Lulu (1987) and Homeboy (1988). He reprised the role of Jafar again for many Disney Video Games, including Aladdin Activity Center (1994) and Kingdom Hearts (2002).
Jonathan Freeman will be forever remembered as the voice of Jafar, though he is one of the very few Disney voice-over artists ever to act for Disney on Broadway as well. His uniquely deep, sinister voice helped make the character of Jafar seem just the right amount of “diabolical,” while remaining one of Disney’s classy and unforgettable villains.
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