Paul Freeman

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, 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.

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, 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. They have one daughter. which works in partnership with Uganda NGO, Healing Focus Orphanage Centre. Freeman is a regular visitor to the orphanage.

Filmography Film

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 Sleighthome Episode: #1.4