Yvette Freeman

Biography

Yvette Freeman is an American actress, singer and director. Predominantly active as a stage actress, she made her Broadway debut in 1979 in the original production of Ain't Misbehavin'. She won the Obie Award for Distinguished Performance by an Actress for her portrayal of Dinah Washington in the 1998 Off-Broadway play Dinah Was. On television, she is best known for her roles as Haleh Adams in the NBC medical drama series ER, Evelyn Smalley in the TV series Working , and Irma Lerman in Orange Is the New Black. Freeman was born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware. She later moved to New York City to pursue a career in graphic design. There she turned to acting on stage productions, before appearing in The Wiz and Ain't Misbehavin'. At the same time, she also worked as a singer in nightclubs and performed in cabaret. In 1990, Freeman relocated to Los Angeles, and began appearing on television, in shows like Tales from the Crypt, Knots Landing, and L.A. Law. Freeman is best known for her role as Haleh Adams, a registered nurse, on the NBC medical drama series ER. She played the role from 1994 to the series finale in 2009, appearing in 184 episodes total. She was one of the longest-se…

Movies & TV Shows

1. Orange Is the New Black (2013) — Irma
2. Pretty Little Liars (2010) — School Administrator
3. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000) — Cynthia Hughes
4. Tales from the Crypt (1989) — Jury Forewoman ("segment "The Trap")
5. ER (1994) — Haleh Adams
6. Amazing Stories (2020) — Sterling's Grandma
7. Step by Step (1991)
8. The Last Word (2017) — Housekeeper
9. The Revenant (2009) — Scientological Nurse
10. Switch (1991) — Mae the Maid
11. Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest (1995) — Samantha
12. Will Trent (2023) — Bonnie
13. Alien Nation (1989) — Helen
14. Angus (1995) — Science Teacher
15. Deputy (2020) — Mrs. Murphy
16. Blindfire (2020) — Gayle Hughes
17. Judging Amy (1999) — Claire Reeves
18. L.A. Law (1986) — Anelda Hightower
19. Saving Grace (2007) — Toby McKees
20. Boston Public (2000) — Gladys Crenshaw
21. The Adventures of Tom Thumb and Thumbelina (2003) — Leola (voice)
22. Knots Landing (1979) — Gwen
23. A Black Lady Sketch Show (2019) — Denise Garrett
24. Hangin' with Mr. Cooper (1992) — Feather
25. The John Larroquette Show (1993) — Mrs. Wilson
26. Camp Wilder (1992)
27. Working (1997) — Evelyn Smalley
28. Just My Imagination (1992) — Mrs. DeWitt
29. Le Grand Échiquier (1972) — Self
30. Ann Jillian (1989)
31. Bat boy (2024) — Dinga
32. You're My Person (2024) — Mama Gigi

Directed

1. The Women in Security Documentary (2025) — Director