Freeman was born in Helena, Montana, and began working as a stage actor in his 20s.

He did not enter the film industry until he was over 40, in 1942, when he played a small uncredited role in Inflation.

Despite his late start in film acting, Freeman would build himself a fairly substantial career in that field that would last over twenty three years.

From 1943 onward he worked on a regular basis, sometimes in uncredited roles, but more often than not in small but credited bit or supporting parts.

In 1946 Freeman would appear in twelve films, the most notable of which was his first film of that year, Abilene Town, starring Randolph Scott and Lloyd Bridges, and California, starring Barbara Stanwyck and Ray Milland.