Born in Waterbury, Connecticut, Freeman studied classical piano in college and earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Hartford.
After serving in World War II, he joined Tex Beneke's big band, eventually leaving to perform as a pianist and later a comic in nightclubs.
Freeman's work as a studio musician included sessions with Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Ella Fitzgerald, Percy Faith, Mabel Mercer, Charlie Parker, and Rosemary Clooney, for whom he played harpsichord on her hit "Come on-a My House."
Freeman was nominated for the 1992 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Solo Performance/One Person Show for At Wit's End, a tribute to Oscar Levant.
With Arthur Malvin he shared the Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Special Musical Material for the mini-musical Hi-Hat performed by Burnett with guest Fred Astaire on the January 8, 1978 episode of her eponymous television variety series.