Bert Freed was a prolific actor who dominated the silver screen and small screen during the 1950s and 1960s, effortlessly transitioning between playing detectives, gangsters, sheriffs, and small-town businessmen. His iconic portrayal of the police chief taken over by Martians in the sci-fi classic "Invaders from Mars" (1953) remains etched in the memories of many fans.
Throughout his illustrious career, Freed consistently played tough cops, often with a darker edge, including crooked, racist, and violent ones. He also excelled in portraying tough soldiers, showcasing his versatility as a thespian. When called upon, Freed could effortlessly shift gears to play jovial family patriarchs, demonstrating his range and depth as an actor.
Born and raised in New York, Freed's acting career began while attending Penn State University. He made his Broadway debut in 1942 and went on to make his film debut in the musical "Carnegie Hall" (1947). Freed's impressive repertoire included a wide range of roles, from a gangster in a "Ma and Pa Kettle" movie ("Ma and Pa Kettle Go to Town" (1950)) to a French army sergeant in the classic "Paths of Glory" (1957).
Freed seemed to appear in almost every cop and detective series on television at one time or another, cementing his status as a familiar face on the small screen. He retired from acting in 1981 and passed away in 1994, at the age of 82, due to a heart attack while on a fishing trip with his son in Canada.
