Paul Freeman (born 18 January 1943) is an English actor who has appeared in theatre, television and film. Internationally, he is known for playing the rival archaeologist René Belloq in Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), evil wine baron Gustav Riebmann on season 4 of the soap opera Falcon Crest (1984–85), and supervillain Ivan Ooze in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie (1995). His other credits include Morlang (2001), When I'm 64 (2004), Hot Fuzz (2007) and Hard Boiled Sweets (2012). In the UK, he had a leading role in the television series Yesterday's Dreams (1987) as Martin Daniels.

Referring to Freeman's extensive theatre work, in 1995 the Los Angeles Times described him as "one of Britain's best-regarded actors, classically trained, with stints at the Royal Shakespeare Company and the National Theatre".

Early life Freeman was born in Barnet, Hertfordshire, on 18 January 1943.

Career Freeman began his career in advertising and teaching, and gained small roles in the theatre, appearing in productions of A Midsummer Night's Dream and Hamlet. He had roles at the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Freeman made his television debut in 1978 in the serial Will Shakespeare (1978). He also acted in the docudrama Death of a Princess, a film about the execution of Misha'al bint Fahd al Saud of Saudi Arabia. Freeman began his feature film career in 1980 when he appeared in The Long Good Friday and The Dogs of War. In 1981, he played Ralph Wigram in the television series Winston Churchill: The Wilderness Years.

In the same year, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas chose Freeman to play archaeologist René Belloq, the archrival to Indiana Jones, in the adventure film Raiders of the Lost Ark, opposite Harrison Ford. The film led to Freeman becoming typecast in villainous roles, especially Nazis. He played the head of the Cartel and masqueraded as a conniving wine baron Gustav Riebmann in the fourth season of Falcon Crest, airing in 1984–1985.

Freeman starred as Martin Daniels in the series Yesterday's Dreams in 1987.

In 1988, Freeman played Professor Moriarty in comedy film Without a Clue, which starred Michael Caine as a mini-brained Sherlock Holmes and Ben Kingsley as Watson, who is secretly the real crime-solving genius. In 1995, Freeman was cast as the villain Ivan Ooze in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie.

Freeman guest-starred in television shows such as Monarch of the Glen, ER, Falcon Crest, and The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles. He also played in several mini-series, including Murderers Among Us: The Simon Wiesenthal Story (1989), and The Final Cut (1995). In 2004, Freeman played Angus, Bobby Jones' caddie, in Bobby Jones: A Stroke of Genius. During 2006 and 2007, he played Laurence Scammel QC in the drama New Street Law. Also in 2007, he played Rev. Philip Shooter of Sandford in the action comedy film Hot Fuzz.

Among his television work, Freeman has appeared in an episode of Midsomer Murders, titled "Down Among the Dead Men". He also appeared in Waking the Dead in the episode "Straw Dog", and played Adam Kingsley in the BBC adaptation of Minette Walters' The Dark Room. He appeared in Agatha Christie's Poirot in the episode "Appointment with Death", playing Colonel Carbury.

Freeman appeared as George Aaranow in the 2008 London revival of David Mamet's Glengarry Glen Ross.

In 2012, Freeman played Thomas Erpingham in the BBC adaptation of William Shakespeare's Henry V from The Hollow Crown series.

Personal life Freeman is married to Maggie Scott, who was his co-star in the 1980 film The Dogs of War. They have one daughter.

Freeman and Scott are both co-founders of the charity UK Friends of Healing Focus (UKHF), which works in partnership with Uganda NGO, Healing Focus Orphanage Centre. Freeman is a regular visitor to the orphanage.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1974 Feelings Paul Martin1980 Colin Derek Godwin 1981 Raiders of the Lost Ark René Emile Belloq Nominated – Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor1982 James Calendar Who Dares Wins Sir Richard Dr. Joseph Denman 1983 Si elle dit oui... je ne dis pas non Nick 1984 Flight to Berlin Nicholas 1986 Shanghai Surprise Walter Faraday1988 Prisoner of Rio Ronald Biggs Kruger Without a Clue Professor Moriarty1990 The Last Island Sean Eminent Domain Ben1992 Aces: Iron Eagle III Gustav Kleiss Just Like a Woman Miles Millichamp 1993 Piccolo grande amore Count Otto Von Dix Also known as: Pretty Princess1995 Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie Ivan Ooze The Horseman on the Roof Laurent de Theus 1996 Squillo Marco Also known as: Call Girl 1997 Double Team Alex Goldsmythe 2000 The 3 Kings Melchior 2001 Morlang Julius Morlang Cairo International Film Festival Award for Best Actor2002 Mrs Caldicot's Cabbage War Jenkins And Now... Ladies and Gentlemen English customer The Elephant and the Snail Narrator Animated short film. English version Haker President of MIT2004 George and the Dragon Sir Robert Bobby Jones: Stroke of Genius Angus 2005 The Feast of the Goat Agustin Cabral Also known as: La fiesta del Chivo2007 Hot Fuzz Rev. Philip Shooter A Girl and a Gun Eddie Video short 2010 Centurion Governor Agricola 2011 Viral Salvo Short film2012Hard Boiled Sweets Shrewd Eddie Dr. FriedkinAfter Death The Inventor2013 Trimming Pablo Pablo Picasso Short film Getaway The Man Bad Day at the Office Narrator Short film 2014 Promakhos Callum Also known as: The First Line 2015 A Private Man Old Man Short film2016 High Strung Kramrovsky The Gatehouse Evelyn Eldritch 2018 Viking Destiny Tarburn Also known as: Of Gods and Warriors2022 Darkheart Manor James Jones The Man from Rome Father Príamo Ferro2025 Whispers of Freedom Erich Honecker Short film The Thursday Murder Club John Grey 2026 Gorky Resort Coachman

Television Year Title Role Notes 1967 Champion HouseElwynEpisode: "The Saddest Words" 1972 The Last of the BasketsBernard RageEpisode: "Since Then I Have Used No Other" Jason KingMale RevolutionaryEpisode: "Zenia" The ProtectorsMechanicEpisode: "A Kind of Wild Justice" 1973 Coronation StreetTerry Slade2 episodes ITV Sunday Night TheatreKeithEpisode: "Katapult" 1974 Crown CourtLeonard TylerEpisodes: "Good and Faithful Friends: Parts 1–3" ChildhoodLockwoodEpisode: "Baa Baa Black Sheep" 1976 CouplesDouglas Broom3 episodes The XYY ManRay Lynch3 episodes 1978 Scorpion TalesOliver BenthallEpisode: "The Great Albert" Crown CourtJohn BarnardEpisodes: "The Song Not the Singer: Parts 1–3" Will ShakespeareDick BurbageMiniseries; 6 episodes The Sweeney1st DetectiveEpisode: "Hearts and Minds" 1979 Play of the MonthKravchenkoEpisode: "Marya" 1980 Death of a PrincessChristopher RyderTelevision film Play for TodayAlexander KutsovEpisode: "A Walk in the Forest" 1981 Winston Churchill: The Wilderness YearsRalph WigramMiniseries; 3 episodes Play for TodayDoctorEpisode: "No Visible Scar" 1982 BBC2 PlayhouseMaxEpisode: "The Workshop" Play for TodayWillieEpisode: "Willie's Last Stand" Q.E.D.Professor Vincent RepEpisode: "4:10 to Zurich" Crown CourtHenry Lytton QCEpisodes: "Face Value: Parts 1–3" GavilanMr. SnowEpisode: "Sarah and the Buzz" 1983 Enemies of the StateJulius TominTelevision film 1984 Cagney & LaceyYves BenoitEpisode: "Victimless Crime" SakharovPavel LeontievTelevision film MitchHarry WarrenEpisode: "Postman's Knock" 1984–1985 Falcon CrestGustav RiebmannSeason 4; 19 episodes 1985 A.D.Cornelius the CenturionMiniseries; 3 episodes 1986 SinsMuellerMiniseries; 3 episodes Worlds BeyondRichard WentworthEpisode: "Guardian of the Past" 1987 Yesterday's DreamsMartin Daniels7 episodes The Index Has Gone FishingJohnny RowdenTelevision film 1988 BoonRonnie HainsEpisode: "The Devil You Know" 1989 Twist of FateSS-Oberfuhrer MittendorfMiniseries; 2 episodes. Also known as: Pursuit Magic MomentsBrian SwannTelevision film Murderers Among Us: The Simon Wiesenthal StoryJosefTelevision film 1990 Perry Mason: The Case of the Desperate DeceptionCarl MeyerhoffTelevision film May WineTomTelevision film. Also known as: Les belles Américaines 1991 Under CoverCol. KalganinEpisode: "War Game" 1992 Van der ValkMichael TrompEpisode: "Proof of Life" Double EdgeFereseTelevision film A Dangerous Man: Lawrence After ArabiaDumontTelevision film BoonEdward CameronEpisode: "Minder" 1992–1993 The Young Indiana Jones ChroniclesFrederick Selous2 episodes 1993 Full StretchFreddie ReidEpisode: "Deals on Wheels" In Suspicious CircumstancesSir Patrick HasingsEpisode: #3.1. Segment: "Laugh Baby Laugh" Between the LinesNicholas ShawEpisode: "Honourable Man" 1994 ViperDr. SamuelsEpisode: "Once a Thief" Lie Down with LionsDuboisTelevision film. Also known as: Red Eagle GrushkoBosenko2 episodes 1995 The Final CutTom MakepeaceMiniseries; 4 episodes 1996 Tales from the CryptAlistair TouchstoneEpisode: "Smoke Wrings" Samson and DelilahManoahMiniseries; 2 episodes Circles of DeceitArmitageMiniseries; episode: "Sleeping Dogs" 1997 The Ruth Rendell MysteriesJulius SorensenEpisodes: "Bribery & Corruption: Parts One & Two" 1998 Only LoveDallesandroTelevision film 1998–2002 ERDr. Charles Corday3 episodes 1999 RabbiTelevision film Adam Kingsley2 episodes 2000 Rough TreatmentMr. MastersTelevision film Inspector MorseFrank HarrisonEpisode: "The Remorseful Day" 2002 Fields of GoldSir James Ferneyhough2-part conspiracy thriller 2002–2003 Monarch of the GlenAndrew BoothSeries 4 & 5; 11 episodes 2004 When I'm 64RayTelevision film 2005 Waking the DeadDr. Charles HoyleEpisodes: "Straw Dog: Parts 1 & 2" 2006 Midsomer MurdersSir John WaverleyEpisode: "Down Among the Dead Men" A Ghost Story for Christmas: Number 13Mr. Harrington, Cathedral ArchivistTelevision film. Adaptation of the M. R. James short story 2006–2007 New Street LawLaurence Scammel QCSeries 1 & 2; 14 episodes 2007 Diamond GeezerSergeyMiniseries; episode: "Old Gold" The WhistleblowersJoseph ColeEpisodes: "Fit for Purpose" & "Environment" Hotel BabylonSir Christopher PriceEpisode: #3.1 2008 Agatha Christie's PoirotCol. CarburyEpisode: "Appointment with Death" 2009 Lark Rise to CandlefordOld EdmundEpisode: #2.8 Monsignor GodlewskiTelevision film Spanish Flu: The Forgotten FallenSir Arthur NewsholmeTelevision film 2010 SpooksLevi CohenEpisode: #9.5 2012 The Hollow CrownThomas ErpinghamEpisode: "Henry V, Part 1" Strike BackPeter EvansEpisodes: "Vengeance: Parts 5 & 6" 2013 The BibleSamuelMiniseries; episodes: "Homeland" & "Kingdom" Countdown to MurderTommy CressmanEpisode: "The Duchess, the Killer and Her Lover" LucanJohn PearsonMiniseries; episode 1 2015 Da Vinci's DemonsThe ArchitectSeries 3; 4 episodes 2016 Tokyo TrialWilliam Donald Patrick, Lord PatrickMiniseries; 4 episodes 2017–2020 AbsentiaWarren ByrneSeasons 1–3; 30 episodes 2018 A Very English ScandalSir Joseph CantleyMiniseries; episode 3 2022 The Man Who Fell to EarthGregory PapelEpisode: "Unwashed and Somewhat Slightly Dazed" 2023 Paris Christmas WaltzHenry FontaineTelevision film 2026 GoneMalcolm SleighthomeEpisode: #1.4

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