Joan Freeman(I)
- Actress
- Soundtrack
Pert, blue-eyed, dimple-cheeked Joan was born Joan Leslie Freeman in Council Bluffs, Iowa, one of two daughters of a Brink's Express Guard and a homemaker. She spent her early education at the (now defunct) Catholic Villa Cabrini Academy in Burbank and later attended John Burroughs High School, graduating in 1959. Joan began on both screen and stage as a child performer and toiled for several years in minor or nondescript supporting roles. In 1961, she made her breakthrough as the waitress Elma in the TV series Bus Stop (1961), adapted from the play by William Inge. As a newly minted starlet, she now received a respectable weekly paycheck of $500, as well as commensurate promotional build-up from 20th Century Fox.
In 1962, Joan had back-to-back leading roles in a couple of AIP films: the dystopian drama Panique année zéro (1962) and the gothic horror La Tour de Londres (1962) (as Lady Margaret Stanley). She also co-starred as Elvis Presley 's love interest in the musical L'homme à tout faire (1964) and later appeared in the supporting cast of the comedy western Le Mors aux dents (1965). Already nominated as "Most Promising New Star" by the magazine Photoplay, Joan joined a gaggle of other hopefuls as a Hollywood Deb Star in 1963.
However, real stardom never came to pass. Perhaps this was due to a measure of ambivalence Joan had about her acting career. As late as 1961, she was quoted saying that she wished to become a certified practicing account (having earlier studied accountancy at San Fernando College). It is unclear as to whether she was ever active in that profession. On the screen, Joan continued to act --primarily in television guest spots-- well into the mid-80s, including repeat appearances as different characters in Le Virginien (1962) and Lassie (1954). Her final role on the big screen was as Mrs. Jarvis, the 29th victim of Jason Vorhees in Vendredi 13 : Chapitre final (1984).
Joan was first married to Frank Beetson Jr., a one-time costume supervisor at John Wayne's independent production company Batjac. This union ended in divorce four years later. Her second husband (from 1976) is the second feature director Bruce Kessler, an ex-Formula One racing driver. Kindred spirits as avid explorers, Bruce and Joan Kessler have acquired a huge reputation in the sailing community and circumnavigated the globe on more than one occasion.
In 1962, Joan had back-to-back leading roles in a couple of AIP films: the dystopian drama Panique année zéro (1962) and the gothic horror La Tour de Londres (1962) (as Lady Margaret Stanley). She also co-starred as Elvis Presley 's love interest in the musical L'homme à tout faire (1964) and later appeared in the supporting cast of the comedy western Le Mors aux dents (1965). Already nominated as "Most Promising New Star" by the magazine Photoplay, Joan joined a gaggle of other hopefuls as a Hollywood Deb Star in 1963.
However, real stardom never came to pass. Perhaps this was due to a measure of ambivalence Joan had about her acting career. As late as 1961, she was quoted saying that she wished to become a certified practicing account (having earlier studied accountancy at San Fernando College). It is unclear as to whether she was ever active in that profession. On the screen, Joan continued to act --primarily in television guest spots-- well into the mid-80s, including repeat appearances as different characters in Le Virginien (1962) and Lassie (1954). Her final role on the big screen was as Mrs. Jarvis, the 29th victim of Jason Vorhees in Vendredi 13 : Chapitre final (1984).
Joan was first married to Frank Beetson Jr., a one-time costume supervisor at John Wayne's independent production company Batjac. This union ended in divorce four years later. Her second husband (from 1976) is the second feature director Bruce Kessler, an ex-Formula One racing driver. Kindred spirits as avid explorers, Bruce and Joan Kessler have acquired a huge reputation in the sailing community and circumnavigated the globe on more than one occasion.
