Freel was born Aleta Freile in Jersey City, New Jersey, the daughter of a physician, Dr. William Freile and his wife, the former Minnie Uchtman. She was educated at the Bergen School for Girls in Jersey City. She graduated from Smith College in 1928. She played leading roles in several eastern stock companies, including the University Players of Old Silver Beach and the Palm Beach Players. Among Freel's stage performances was a role in the playDouble Door, which was performed at the Ritz Theater in New York City in the fall of 1933. Her Broadway credits include Louder, Please and Three Times the Hour. She was married to Hollywood actor Ross Alexander following a backstage romance. Alexander was originally from Brooklyn, and began his career in New York. He was cast in many Broadway productions, one of which was The Ladder.
Death
Freel grew depressed as her career failed to take hold and her marriage to Ross Alexander grew strained. On December 6, 1935, she took a.22 rifle from a gun rack in her home and shot herself through the temple. Freel died early the following morning at Emergency Hospital in Los Angeles, California. She was 28 years of age. Her husband confided to police that he and Freel had a "small spat" during the evening. She was disappointed about some screen tests on which she had high hopes, but which were unsuccessful. According to Henry Fonda, who was best man at Freel's wedding, she took her life after confirming that Alexander had been having affairs with other women and not because of her career troubles. On December 14, 1935, in Sacramento, California, the state of California opened an investigation into the "strange death" of Aleta Freel. The inquiry was requested by Governor of New Jersey Harold G. Hoffman. Friends and relatives of the actress asked Hoffman and Governor Merriam of California for a more exhaustive probe. Freel's father, William, was quoted as saying at the time of his daughter's death, that he was not altogether sure she took her life. Nine months later, Alexander married actress Anne Nagel). However, three months later, 13 months after Freel's suicide, he shot and killed himself, reportedly with the same gun Freel used to commit suicide.
