Jonathan Freeman

Biography:

American actor and puppeteer Jonathan Freeman was born on February 5, 1950. He is well-known for providing the voice of Jafar in the 2011 Aladdin musical, the Kingdom Hearts series, and Disney’s Aladdin franchise. In addition, he previously stated that he is called in to reprise the part of sorcerer Jafar in Aladdin every three to six months. Freeman is also well-known for his role as the puppeteer for the Jukebox Band’s Tito Swing (Flexitoon Puppets) on the PBS series Shining Time Station. In the Hercules crossover episode “Hercules and the Arabian Night” and the Aladdin sequel The Return of Jafar, Freeman played Jafar once more.

For his performance in She Loves Me, he received a 1994 Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. He also starred in the Broadway revivals of 42nd Street, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, The Producers, and On the Town. In 2002, his caricature was created for Sardi’s restaurant.

The 1997 Varaña Sarabande studio recording of the unsuccessful 1965 musical Drat! The Cat! features Freeman. Additionally, he originated the part of Grimsby in Disney’s Broadway production of The Little Mermaid and appeared on stage as Cogsworth in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.

On December 12, 2009, Freeman debuted in the Broadway version of Mary Poppins as Admiral Boom and the Bank Chairman. Additionally, Freeman returned as Jafar in the musical version of Aladdin, which ran from July 7–31, 2011, at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre. On January 23, 2022, Freeman gave his last performance with the group after almost eight years.