J.E. Freeman, full name James E. Freeman (Brooklyn, February 2, 1946 – August 9, 2014), was an American actor and poet. Known as a versatile character actor, he specialized in portraying menacing and morally ambiguous characters. He is best known for iconic roles he landed in the early 1990s: the gangster Eddie Dane in the Coen brothers' *Miller's Crossing* (1990) and the sinister hitman Marcello Santos in David Lynch's *Wild at Heart* (1990). His ability to portray memorable antagonists was further demonstrated in his role as the cruel scientist Dr. Wren in the science fiction film *Alien Resurrection* (1997). His career also includes appearances in films such as *Patriot Games* (1992) and *Copycat* (1995). Although he did not win major awards, his contribution is widely recognized for the impact and strong screen presence he brought to numerous supporting characters in American cinema, establishing him as an unforgettable face of his era.