Is The Chracter Ezra Shipman Based On George Freeman? Wikipedia Bio And Real Life Inspiration
If you are a fan of Australian crime dramas, you might have watched Last King of the Cross. The series is based on Ibrahim’s autobiography and features actors, including Tim Roth as Ezra Shipman, and Matt Nable as Big Tony. But who is Ezra Shipman and is the character Ezra Shipman based on George Freeman?
Ezra Shipman is a fictional character who represents the old guard of the Kings Cross underworld, who was investigated by the Wood Royal Commission into police corruption.
Shipman is a ruthless and powerful crime boss who controls the drug trade and prostitution in the Cross and sees John as a threat to his empire.
Is The character Ezra Shipman Based On George Freeman?
According to the show’s creators, Shipman is a fictional character who represents the old guard of the Kings Cross underworld, who is threatened by Ibrahim’s ambition and success.
Shipman is a ruthless crime boss who controls the drug trade and prostitution in the area and has a network of corrupt cops and politicians under his thumb.
However, some viewers have speculated that Shipman is loosely inspired by George Freeman, a notorious figure in Sydney’s criminal history.
Freeman was a gambler, race-fixer, and underworld boss who operated in Kings Cross from the 1960s to the 1980s.
He was also involved in drug trafficking, murder, extortion, and bribery. He was known for his lavish lifestyle, his connections to high society, and his influence over the police and the judiciary.
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Ezra Shipman Wikipedia bio explored
Last King of the Cross, a 10-part series streaming on Paramount+ tells the story of John Ibrahim, a Lebanese-Australian nightclub owner who rose to prominence in Sydney’s Kings Cross during the 1990s.
The series is based on Ibrahim’s autobiography of the same name, and features a cast of real-life and fictional characters who were involved in the crime, corruption, and glamour of the “mecca of sin”.
One of the fictional characters is Ezra Shipman, played by Oscar-nominated British actor Tim Roth.
Shipman is a ruthless crime boss who controls most of the illegal activities in Kings Cross, and who sees Ibrahim as a threat to his empire.
Roth is no stranger to playing villains, having starred in films such as Rob Roy, Pulp Fiction, and The Incredible Hulk.
He was originally cast as John Ibrahim’s brother Sam but had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts.
Tim was then offered the role of Shipman, which he accepted because he was intrigued by the character and the story.
Last King of the Cross is a gripping and gritty series that explores the dark side of Sydney’s history and culture. It also showcases the talent and diversity of Australian actors, writers, and directors.
Ezra Shipman Real Life Inspiration
According to the producers of the show, Ezra Shipman is a composite character that represents some of the influential figures that John Ibrahim encountered in his rise to the top of the Kings Cross underworld.
He is not directly based on any one person, but rather draws inspiration from various sources.
One possible source of inspiration for Ezra Shipman is George Freeman, a notorious gambler and crime boss known as the “King of the Cross” in the 1970s and 1980s.
Another possible source of inspiration for Ezra Shipman is Lennie McPherson, a violent criminal dubbed the “Mr. Big” of Sydney crime.
McPherson was involved in murder, extortion, robbery, and racketeering. He was also a close associate of George Freeman and had connections with corrupt police and politicians.
A third possible source of inspiration for Ezra Shipman is Abe Saffron, a wealthy businessman and property developer nicknamed the “Boss of the Cross”.
Saffron owned many nightclubs, hotels, and brothels in Kings Cross and other parts of Sydney. He was also suspected of arson, murder, blackmail, and bribery.
These are just some of the possible real-life inspirations for Ezra Shipman.
However, it is important to remember that Ezra Shipman is a fictional character and not a historical figure.
He is not meant to be an accurate or faithful representation of any real person or event.
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