Bert Freed

Bert Freed (November 3, 1919 – August 2, 1994) was an American character actor whose career spanned over four decades, making a lasting impression on both stage and screen. Born and raised in The Bronx, New York, Freed discovered his passion for performance while attending Pennsylvania State University, where he began acting in college productions. After serving in the U.S. Army during World War II in the European theatre, he returned to the New York theatre scene and made his Broadway debut in 1942, quickly establishing himself as a versatile talent. Freed’s early film work began with an uncredited appearance in the musical Carnegie Hall (1947), and he soon became a recognizable face in Hollywood, often cast in authoritative roles such as police officers, detectives, and military personnel. Notably, he portrayed Detective Frank Columbo in a live 1960 episode of The Chevy Mystery Show, predating Peter Falk’s famous rendition of the character by seven years. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s he amassed a prolific television résumé, guest‑starring on classics like Perry Mason, The Rifleman, Bonanza, Gunsmoke, The Outer Limits, and Alfred Hitchcock Presents. He even directed a single episode of T.H.E. Cat, showcasing his occasional behind‑the‑scenes contributions.

In film, Freed’s supporting performances added depth to a wide range of genres, from the war drama Halls of Montezuma (1951) to the anti‑war masterpiece Paths of Glory (1957), where he played Sergeant Boulanger, and the western Nevada Smith (1966). His later roles included the hangman in Hang ’Em High (1968) and a poignant turn as a homosexual prison guard in There Was a Crooked Man… (1970). Freed retired from acting in 1986 after a final series of television appearances. He spent his final years in British Columbia, where he died of a heart attack while on a fishing trip with his son in 1994. His legacy endures through the countless classic TV episodes and films that continue to introduce new audiences to his rugged, dependable screen presence.