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Helen Martin

November 14, 2023

For other people named Helen Martin, see Helen Martin (disambiguation).

Helen Dorothy Martin (July 23, 1909 – March 25, 2000)[2][3] was an American actress of stage and television. Martin's career spanned over 60 years, appearing first on stage and later in film and television. Martin is best known for her roles as Wanda on the CBS sitcom Good Times (1974–1979) and as Pearl Shay on the NBC sitcom 227 (1985–1990).

Helen Martin
Born
Helen Dorothy Martin

(1909-07-23)July 23, 1909[1]
St. Louis
DiedMarch 25, 2000(2000-03-25) (aged 90)
Monterey, California, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1937–2000
Known forWanda – Good Times
Pearl Shay – 227

Biography edit

Early life and education edit

Martin was born in St. Louis and raised in Nashville, Tennessee.[4][5] She was an only child born to a family of musicians.[6] Martin's parents wanted their daughter to become a concert pianist.[6] At the urging of her parents, Martin attended Fisk University for a two year span before dropping out to embark on an acting career.[7] During the Great Depression, Martin supported herself as a domestic worker.[6]

Career edit

After leaving college, Martin moved to Chicago, and New York City thereafter to study acting with the WPA Theater and the Rose McClendon Players. She was a founding member of the American Negro Theater in Harlem. Martin became a Broadway character actress for many decades, debuting in 'Orchids Preferred' in 1937 and thereafter Orson Welles's production of Native Son in 1941.[4]

Martin appeared in a dozen Broadway shows, including Jean Genet's The Blacks, the musical Raisin from 1973 until 1975, Ossie Davis's Purlie Victorious (and later the musical version, which was called Purlie), The Amen Corner and Tennessee Williams's Period of Adjustment.

Martin became widely known later in life due to her roles in popular television series, which brought her a large audience. She had a recurring role as Wanda "Weeping Wanda" on the television series Good Times, and later as the neighbor Pearl Shay on the television sitcom 227, which lasted from 1985 until 1990. Martin also had a role on the short-lived sitcoms Baby, I'm Back (as mother in-law, Luzelle)[8] and That's My Mama. Martin portrayed a variety of grandmothers in films: Hollywood Shuffle (1987),[9] Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996), I Got the Hook Up (1998),[10] House Party 2 (1991), and Mama Doll in Bulworth (1998).

While appearing on Late Night with Conan O'Brien to promote Don't Be a Menace, Martin sent host Conan O'Brien and the audience into a frenzy with her remarks, responding to a question about being cast as a pot-smoking grandmother in the film, "I love the reefer!", and that she would be a stripper had she not gone into acting, following the statement with a suggestive dance.[11]

Death edit

Martin died of a heart attack on March 25, 2000, in Monterey, California, aged 90.[5]

Filmography edit

Stage work edit

References edit

  1. ^ 111 years old Contemporary Black biography, Volume 31
  2. ^ Black America: A State-by-State Historical Encyclopedia, Volume 1 By Alton Hornsby.Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  3. ^ Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2000.Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Helen Martin". Playbill. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  5. ^ a b JET, April 17, 2000.Retrieved February 2, 2020.
  6. ^ a b c Collier, Aldore (June 1988). "Helen Martin: Hollywood's veteran actress makes her mark". Ebony. Johnson Publishing Company. pp. 36−40.
  7. ^ Oliver, Myrna (March 29, 2000). "Broadway, TV actress a trailblazer for blacks". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. B-5.
  8. ^ Leszczak, Bob (November 2, 2012). Single Season Sitcoms, 1948-1979: A Complete Guide. McFarland & Company. p. 9. ISBN 9780786468126.
  9. ^ Maslin, Janet (March 20, 1987). "FILM: 'HOLLYWOOD SHUFFLE,' SATIRE BY TOWNSEND". The New York Times. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  10. ^ Van Gelder, Lawrence (May 27, 1998). "FILM REVIEW; 2 Hustlers with a Van and a Scam". The New York Times. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  11. ^ Encyclopedia.com.Retrieved July 23, 2020.
  12. ^ Herald staff (February 18, 1961). "Integration Conflict Dramatized". The Bradenton Herald. p. 6. Retrieved August 4, 2021.

External links edit

  • Helen Martin at IMDb

November 14, 2023
helen, martin, other, people, named, disambiguation, helen, dorothy, martin, july, 1909, march, 2000, american, actress, stage, television, martin, career, spanned, over, years, appearing, first, stage, later, film, television, martin, best, known, roles, wand. For other people named Helen Martin see Helen Martin disambiguation Helen Dorothy Martin July 23 1909 March 25 2000 2 3 was an American actress of stage and television Martin s career spanned over 60 years appearing first on stage and later in film and television Martin is best known for her roles as Wanda on the CBS sitcom Good Times 1974 1979 and as Pearl Shay on the NBC sitcom 227 1985 1990 Helen MartinBornHelen Dorothy Martin 1909 07 23 July 23 1909 1 St LouisDiedMarch 25 2000 2000 03 25 aged 90 Monterey California U S OccupationActressYears active1937 2000Known forWanda Good Times Pearl Shay 227 Contents 1 Biography 1 1 Early life and education 1 2 Career 1 3 Death 2 Filmography 3 Stage work 4 References 5 External linksBiography editEarly life and education edit Martin was born in St Louis and raised in Nashville Tennessee 4 5 She was an only child born to a family of musicians 6 Martin s parents wanted their daughter to become a concert pianist 6 At the urging of her parents Martin attended Fisk University for a two year span before dropping out to embark on an acting career 7 During the Great Depression Martin supported herself as a domestic worker 6 Career edit After leaving college Martin moved to Chicago and New York City thereafter to study acting with the WPA Theater and the Rose McClendon Players She was a founding member of the American Negro Theater in Harlem Martin became a Broadway character actress for many decades debuting in Orchids Preferred in 1937 and thereafter Orson Welles s production of Native Son in 1941 4 Martin appeared in a dozen Broadway shows including Jean Genet s The Blacks the musical Raisin from 1973 until 1975 Ossie Davis s Purlie Victorious and later the musical version which was called Purlie The Amen Corner and Tennessee Williams s Period of Adjustment Martin became widely known later in life due to her roles in popular television series which brought her a large audience She had a recurring role as Wanda Weeping Wanda on the television series Good Times and later as the neighbor Pearl Shay on the television sitcom 227 which lasted from 1985 until 1990 Martin also had a role on the short lived sitcoms Baby I m Back as mother in law Luzelle 8 and That s My Mama Martin portrayed a variety of grandmothers in films Hollywood Shuffle 1987 9 Don t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood 1996 I Got the Hook Up 1998 10 House Party 2 1991 and Mama Doll in Bulworth 1998 While appearing on Late Night with Conan O Brien to promote Don t Be a Menace Martin sent host Conan O Brien and the audience into a frenzy with her remarks responding to a question about being cast as a pot smoking grandmother in the film I love the reefer and that she would be a stripper had she not gone into acting following the statement with a suggestive dance 11 Death edit Martin died of a heart attack on March 25 2000 in Monterey California aged 90 5 Filmography edit1955 The Phenix City Story as Helen Ward 1961 Frontiers of Faith TV series 1 episode as Unknown 12 1969 J T TV Movie as Mrs Hill 1970 Cotton Comes to Harlem as Church Sister 1970 Where s Poppa as Second Job Applicant 1971 The Anderson Tapes as Minor Role uncredited 1973 Big Daddy TV Movie as Unknown 1973 1974 Maude TV Series 2 episodes as Stella 1974 Death Wish as Alma Lee Brown 1974 1979 Good Times TV Series 7 episodes as Wanda 1975 That s My Mama TV Series 6 episodes as Laura 1976 1979 What s Happening TV Series as Millie Mrs Lloyd 1976 1977 Sanford and Son TV Series as Millie Nurse Church Sister 1 Lady 1 1977 Insight TV Series 1 episode as Bessie 1977 Starsky and Hutch TV Series 2 episodes as Nellie Dirty Nellie Vivian Fellers 1978 Baby I m Back TV Series 13 episodes as Luzelle Carter 1978 A Hero Ain t Nothin but a Sandwich as Mrs Bell 1978 Cindy TV Movie as Flower Lady 1979 Lawman Without a Gun TV Movie as Mrs Cartwright 1979 Dummy TV Movie as Mrs Harrod 1979 Better Late Than Never TV Movie as Unknown 1980 The Stockard Channing Show TV Series 1 episode as Maid 1980 1981 The White Shadow as Louise Old Woman 1981 1983 Hill Street Blues as Neighbor Woman Onlooker 1982 T J Hooker TV Series 1 episode as Mrs Sears 1982 Wacko as Harbinger s Mother 1983 Alice TV Series 1 episode as Customer 1983 The Jeffersons TV Series 1 episode as Alice 1983 Deal of the Century as Baptist 3 1984 Hardcastle and McCormick TV Series 1 episode as Mrs Prufrock 1984 The Jerk Too TV Movie as Grandma Johnson 1984 St Elsewhere TV Series 1 episode as Elderly Lady 1984 Repo Man as Mrs Parks 1984 Benson TV Series as Benson s Aunt Lil episode the reunion 1985 1990 227 TV Series 116 episodes as Pearl Shay 1985 Amos TV Movie as Mrs McKenzie 1987 Hollywood Shuffle as Bobby s Grandmother 1989 A Raisin in the Sun TV Movie as Mrs Johnson 1989 Full House TV Series 1 episode as Shirley 1989 Jackee TV Series as Pearl Shay 1990 Night Angel as Sadie 1990 The Flash TV Series 1 episode as Sadie Grosso 1991 A Rage in Harlem as Mrs Canfield 1991 Doc Hollywood as Maddie Welcoming Committee 1991 House Party 2 as Mrs Deevers 1993 The Pitch Short as Old Woman 1994 Beverly Hills Cop III as Grandma 1995 The Parent Hood TV Series 1 episode as Ms Morris 1995 The Wayans Bros TV Series 1 episode as Mother Evans 1996 Don t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood as Loc Dog s Grandma 1997 Kiss the Girls as Nana Cross 1997 I m Bout It V as Mrs Alberta 1998 The Jamie Foxx Show TV Series 1 episode as Mother Superior 1998 Since You ve Been Gone TV Movie as Old Lady 1998 Bulworth as Momma Doll 1998 I Got the Hook Up aka I Got the Hook Up USA review title as Grandmother 1999 At Face Value Short as Miss Ella 2000 Something to Sing About TV Movie as Elderly woman final film role Stage work edit1937 Orchids Preferred Evy 1941 Native Son Vera Thomas 1945 Deep Are the Roots Honey Turner 1953 Take a Giant Step Poppy 1960 The Long Dream Maude Carter 1960 Period of Adjustment Susie 1960 The Blacks 1961 Purlie Victorious Missy Judson 1963 My Mother My Father and Me Hannah 1965 The Amen Corner Sister Douglas 1967 Something Different Sarah Goldfine 1970 Purlie Idelia 1973 Raisin Mrs JohnsonReferences edit 111 years old Contemporary Black biography Volume 31 Black America A State by State Historical Encyclopedia Volume 1 By Alton Hornsby Retrieved February 2 2020 Obituaries in the Performing Arts 2000 Retrieved February 2 2020 a b Helen Martin Playbill Retrieved October 19 2023 a b JET April 17 2000 Retrieved February 2 2020 a b c Collier Aldore June 1988 Helen Martin Hollywood s veteran actress makes her mark Ebony Johnson Publishing Company pp 36 40 Oliver Myrna March 29 2000 Broadway TV actress a trailblazer for blacks Pittsburgh Post Gazette p B 5 Leszczak Bob November 2 2012 Single Season Sitcoms 1948 1979 A Complete Guide McFarland amp Company p 9 ISBN 9780786468126 Maslin Janet March 20 1987 FILM HOLLYWOOD SHUFFLE SATIRE BY TOWNSEND The New York Times Retrieved November 9 2022 Van Gelder Lawrence May 27 1998 FILM REVIEW 2 Hustlers with a Van and a Scam The New York Times Retrieved November 9 2022 Encyclopedia com Retrieved July 23 2020 Herald staff February 18 1961 Integration Conflict Dramatized The Bradenton Herald p 6 Retrieved August 4 2021 External links editHelen Martin at IMDb Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Helen Martin amp oldid 1180917381, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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