Cassidy Freeman (born April 22, 1982) is an American actress and musician. She is known for her roles as Tess Mercer in The CW's superhero drama Smallville, Amber Gemstone in the HBO series The Righteous Gemstones, Sage in the series The Vampire Diaries, and Cady Longmire in the A&E/Netflix modern western Longmire.
Early life and education Freeman was born in Chicago, Illinois. Her father comes from a Russian Jewish family, while her mother is Catholic of English ancestry. She is the youngest of four children, with three brothers. Her brother Crispin Freeman is a voice actor, while her brother Clark is an actor and musician.
Career
Acting Freeman has appeared in several shorts, feature films and television series. Freeman played the leading role of Veronica Sharpe in the 2006 short film Razor Sharp, which won "Best Action Film" at the 2007 Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival. She also starred in the 2010 thriller film YellowBrickRoad.
In September 2008, she began starring in The CW's Superman-inspired drama Smallville where she played Tess Mercer after the departure of Michael Rosenbaum's Lex Luthor and continued in this role until the show ended in May 2011.
On January 13, 2012, Freeman was confirmed to have a brief three-episode run as Sage, in the third season of The CW's fantasy drama The Vampire Diaries. Between 2012 and 2017, Freeman starred as Cady Longmire in the A&E and (later) Netflix crime drama Longmire.
In 2016, she played the Russian spy Eva Azarova in a two-episode crossover in NCIS and NCIS: New Orleans; she returned as Azarova in two 2017 episodes of NCIS: New Orleans. She co-starred alongside Will Patton in The Forever Purge (2021), the fifth film in The Purge franchise. From 2019 to 2025, Freeman starred as Amber Gemstone in the HBO series The Righteous Gemstones.
Music Freeman, her brother Clark Freeman, and Andy Mitton formed a band called The Real D'Coy, in which Freeman sings and plays the piano.
Allegations against Jeremy Piven In November 2017, Freeman accused actor Jeremy Piven of predatory behavior, saying in an Instagram post "I know what you did and attempted to do to me when I was far too young." She came forward with her allegations after actress Ariane Bellamar accused Piven of sexual harassment.
Philanthropy While a cast member of Smallville, The CW wrote that Freeman was an active member of Heal the Bay, a Santa Monica, California, environmental group. The network also wrote that Freeman volunteered with the Virginia Avenue Project, a Santa Monica nonprofit that uses the performing arts in a free, after-school program.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes2006Razor SharpVeronica SharpeShort film2006ClockShort film2007Finishing the GameShirley2008StarletCourtneyShort film2009Shades of GrayLisaShort film2009You've Reached Richarde & GribbeenTheresaShort film2010YellowBrickRoadErin Luger2012Guitar FaceHopeShort film2013Brahmin BullsEllie2014One Last LookKateShort film2014Don't Look BackPeyton Lake2016We Go OnYoung Charlotte2016Fender BenderJennifer2017CortezRosie2021The Forever PurgeCassie Tucker 2026 Chasing Summer Marissa Post-production
Television Year Title Role Notes2007KristineTV movie2008Austin Golden HourCharlieTV movie2008Cold CaseLaura McKinney (1991) Episode: "True Calling"2008–2011SmallvilleTess MercerMain cast (seasons 8–10)2009BuzzSerena ZornTV movie2009CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationOff. Donna GraysonEpisode: "Coup de Grace"2011CSI: NYDevon HargroveEpisode: "Indelible"2011Frances Dunhill1 episode (+ 3 unaired episodes)2012CSI: MiamiConnie JadenEpisode: "No Good Deed"2012Sage3 episodes2012–2017LongmireCady LongmireMain cast2013Once Upon a TimeJacqueline 'Jack'Episode: "Tiny"2016NCISEva AzarovaEpisode: "Sister City, Part I"2016StitchersEllieEpisode: "Hack Me If You Can"2016–2017NCIS: New OrleansEva Azarova3 episodes2017DoubtADA Abby BurrisRecurring role2019–2025The Righteous GemstonesAmber GemstoneMain cast 2025 Paradise First Lady Jessica Bradford Recurring role
References
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