Kathleen Freeman, an acclaimed American character actress, passed away on August 23, 2001 at the age of 82. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Kathryn Josephine Freeman developed her acting skills beginning in her teens while acting in various local groups. Freeman went on to earn her first college degree at Carleton College in Minnesota before moving to New York in 1945. Freeman's earliest film appearance was in 1942's The Muslims of The Plained by Charles Caldwell. She would go on to appear in more than 100 films and television series throughout her career. Notable feature appearances include The Nutty Professor, Escape from the Planet of the Apes, The Simpsons, The Blues Brothers, Pee-wee's Big Adventure, and Monk. Freeman earned a lifetime achievement recognition from The Screen Actors Guild in 1998. Kathleen Freeman is survived by her three children, five grandchildren, and her beloved husband of 63 years, Robert J. Gillis. The world has lost a beloved and acclaimed character actress whose iconic work will remain with us for years to come.