Helen Dorothy Martin (July 23, 1909 – March 25, 2000) was an American actress of

stage Stage or stages may refer to: Acting * Stage (theatre), a space for the performance of theatrical productions * Theatre, a branch of the performing arts, often referred to as "the stage" * ''The Stage'', a weekly British theatre newspaper * Sta ...

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 ''Good Times'' is an American television sitcom that aired for six seasons on CBS, from February 8, 1974, to August 1, 1979. Created by Eric Monte and Mike Evans and developed by executive producer Norman Lear, it was television's first African ...

'' (1974–1979) and as Pearl Shay on the NBC sitcom '' 227'' (1985–1990).

Biography

Early life and education

Martin was raised in

Nashville, Tennessee Nashville is the capital city of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat, seat of Davidson County, Tennessee, Davidson County. With a population of 689,447 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 U.S. census, Nashville is the List of muni ...

. She was an only child born to a family of musicians. Martin's parents wanted their daughter to become a concert pianist. At the urging of her parents, Martin attended

Fisk University Fisk University is a private historically black liberal arts college in Nashville, Tennessee. It was founded in 1866 and its campus is a historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1930, Fisk was the first Africa ...

for a two year span before dropping out to embark on an acting career. During the

Great Depression The Great Depression (19291939) was an economic shock that impacted most countries across the world. It was a period of economic depression that became evident after a major fall in stock prices in the United States. The economic contagio ...

, Martin supported herself as a domestic worker.

Career

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 The American Negro Theatre (ANT) was co-founded on June 5, 1940 by playwright Abram Hill and actor Frederick O'Neal. Determined to build a "people's theatre", they were inspired by the Federal Theatre Project's Negro Unit in Harlem and by W. E. ...

Harlem Harlem is a neighborhood in Upper Manhattan, New York City. It is bounded roughly by the Hudson River on the west; the Harlem River and 155th Street (Manhattan), 155th Street on the north; Fifth Avenue on the east; and 110th Street (Manhattan), ...

. Martin became a

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

character actress A character actor is a supporting actor who plays unusual, interesting, or eccentric characters.28 April 2013, The New York Acting SchoolTen Best Character Actors of All Time Retrieved 7 August 2014, "..a breed of actor who has the ability to be ...

for many decades, debuting in 'Orchids Preferred' in 1937 and thereafter

Orson Welles George Orson Welles (May 6, 1915 – October 10, 1985) was an American actor, director, producer, and screenwriter, known for his innovative work in film, radio and theatre. He is considered to be among the greatest and most influential f ...

's production of ''

Native Son ''Native Son'' (1940) is a novel written by the American author Richard Wright. It tells the story of 20-year-old Bigger Thomas, a black youth living in utter poverty in a poor area on Chicago's South Side in the 1930s. While not apologizing ...

'' in 1941. Martin appeared in a dozen Broadway shows, including

Jean Genet Jean Genet (; – ) was a French novelist, playwright, poet, essayist, and political activist. In his early life he was a vagabond and petty criminal, but he later became a writer and playwright. His major works include the novels ''The Thief's ...

's '' The Blacks'', the musical ''

Raisin A raisin is a dried grape. Raisins are produced in many regions of the world and may be eaten raw or used in cooking, baking, and brewing. In the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia, the word ''raisin'' is reserved for the d ...

'' from 1973 until 1975,

Ossie Davis Raiford Chatman "Ossie" Davis (December 18, 1917 – February 4, 2005) was an American actor, director, writer, and activist. He was married to Ruby Dee, with whom he frequently performed, until his death. He and his wife were named to the NAACP ...

's ''

Purlie Victorious ''Purlie'' is a musical with a book by Ossie Davis, Philip Rose, and Peter Udell, lyrics by Udell and music by Gary Geld. It is based on Davis's 1961 play ''Purlie Victorious'', which was later made into the 1963 film ''Gone Are the Days!'' and ...

'' (and later the musical version, which was called ''

Purlie ''Purlie'' is a musical with a book by Ossie Davis, Philip Rose, and Peter Udell, lyrics by Udell and music by Gary Geld. It is based on Davis's 1961 play ''Purlie Victorious'', which was later made into the 1963 film '' Gone Are the Days!'' and ...

''), ''

The Amen Corner ''The Amen Corner'' is a three-act play by James Baldwin. It was Baldwin's first work for the stage following the success of his novel '' Go Tell It on the Mountain''. The drama was first published in 1954, and inspired a short-lived 1983 Broadw ...

'' and

Tennessee Williams Thomas Lanier Williams III (March 26, 1911 – February 25, 1983), known by his pen name Tennessee Williams, was an American playwright and screenwriter. Along with contemporaries Eugene O'Neill and Arthur Miller, he is considered among the thre ...

's ''

Period of Adjustment ''Period of Adjustment'' is a 1960 play by Tennessee Williams that was adapted in the film version of 1962. Both the stage and film versions are set on Christmas Eve and tell the gentle, light-hearted story of two couples, one newlywed and the ...

''. 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 ''

'', 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 ''Baby, I'm Back'' (stylized onscreen as ''Baby... I'm Back!'') is an American sitcom television series that aired on CBS in early 1978. The series stars Demond Wilson, Denise Nicholas, Helen Martin and Kim Fields. Synopsis Raymond Ellis is ...

'' (as mother in-law, Luzelle) and ''

That's My Mama ''That's My Mama'' is an American television sitcom that was originally broadcast on the ABC network from September 4, 1974 until December 24, 1975. There are 39 episodes of this series. ''That's My Mama'' was never a ratings success, having al ...

''. Martin portrayed a variety of grandmothers in films: ''

Hollywood Shuffle ''Hollywood Shuffle'' is a 1987 American satirical comedy film about the racial stereotypes of African Americans in film and television. The film tracks the attempts of Bobby Taylor to become a successful actor and the mental and external roadbl ...

'' (1987), ''

Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood ''Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood'' (or simply ''Don't Be a Menace'') is a 1996 American black comedy film directed by Paris Barclay in his feature film directorial debut, and produced by Keenen Ivory Way ...

'' (1996), ''

I Got the Hook Up ''I Got the Hook-Up'' is a 1998 American crime comedy film, starring Anthony Johnson, Master P, Ice Cube, C-Murder and directed by Michael Martin. This was No Limit Records' first theatrical release. The movie was distributed by Dimension Films. ...

'' (1998), ''

House Party 2 ''House Party 2'' is a 1991 American comedy film and the sequel to the 1990 film ''House Party'' released by New Line Cinema. The film returns most of the cast of the first film such as Kid 'n Play and Full Force, along with new cast members suc ...

'' (1991), and Mama Doll in ''

Bulworth ''Bulworth'' is a 1998 American political satire black comedy film co-written, co-produced, directed by, and starring Warren Beatty. It co-stars Halle Berry, Oliver Platt, Don Cheadle, Paul Sorvino, Jack Warden, and Isaiah Washington. The film f ...

'' (1998). While appearing on ''

Late Night with Conan O'Brien ''Late Night with Conan O'Brien'' is an American late-night talk show hosted by Conan O'Brien. NBC aired 2,725 episodes from September 13, 1993, to February 20, 2009. The show featured varied comedic material, celebrity interviews, and music ...

'' to promote ''Don't Be a Menace'', Martin sent host

Conan O'Brien Conan Christopher O'Brien (born April 18, 1963) is an American television host, comedian, writer, and producer. He is best known for having hosted late-night talk shows for almost 28 years, beginning with ''Late Night with Conan O'Brien'' (19 ...

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.Encyclopedia.com
Retrieved July 23, 2020.

Death

Martin died of a heart attack on March 25, 2000 in Monterey, California, aged 90.JET, April 17, 2000
Retrieved February 2, 2020.

Filmography

* 1955 ''

The Phenix City Story ''The Phenix City Story'' is a 1955 American film noir crime film directed by Phil Karlson for Allied Artists, written by Daniel Mainwaring and Crane Wilbur and starring John McIntire, Richard Kiley, and Kathryn Grant. It had an unusual "triple ...

'' as Helen Ward * 1961 '' Frontiers of Faith'' (TV series, 1 episode) as UnknownHerald staff (February 18, 1961)
"Integration Conflict Dramatized"
''The Bradenton Herald''. p. 6. Retrieved August 4, 2021. * 1969 ''J.T.'' (TV Movie) as Mrs. Hill * 1970 ''

Cotton Comes to Harlem ''Cotton Comes to Harlem'' is a 1970 American neo-noir action comedy thriller film co-written and directed by Ossie Davis and starring Godfrey Cambridge, Raymond St. Jacques, and Redd Foxx. The film, later cited as an early example of the ...

'' as Church Sister * 1970 ''

Where's Poppa? ''Where's Poppa?'' is a 1970 American black comedy film based on the 1970 novel by Robert Klane and starring George Segal, Ruth Gordon, Ron Leibman, and Trish Van Devere. The plot revolves around the troubled relationship between a lawyer (Segal ...

'' as Second Job Applicant * 1971 ''

The Anderson Tapes ''The Anderson Tapes'' is a 1971 American crime film directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Sean Connery and featuring Dyan Cannon, Martin Balsam and Alan King. The screenplay was written by Frank Pierson, based upon a best-selling 1970 nov ...

'' 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 ''

'' (TV Series, 7 episodes) as Wanda * 1975 ''

'' (TV Series, 6 episodes) as Laura * 1976-1979 ''

What's Happening!! ''What's Happening!!'' is an American sitcom television series that aired on ABC from August 5, 1976, until April 28, 1979, premiering as a summer series. Due to other shows being cancelled across the network, and good ratings and reviews from ...

'' (TV Series) as Millie / Mrs. Lloyd * 1976-1977 ''

Sanford and Son ''Sanford and Son'' is an American sitcom television series that ran on the NBC television network from January 14, 1972, to March 25, 1977. It was based on the British sitcom ''Steptoe and Son'', which initially aired on BBC One in the United ...

'' (TV Series) as Millie / Nurse / Church Sister #1 / Lady #1 * 1977 ''

Insight Insight is the understanding of a specific cause and effect within a particular context. The term insight can have several related meanings: *a piece of information *the act or result of understanding the inner nature of things or of seeing intu ...

'' (TV Series, 1 episode) as Bessie * 1977 ''

Starsky and Hutch ''Starsky & Hutch'' is an American action television series, which consisted of a 72-minute pilot movie (originally aired as a ''Movie of the Week'' entry) and 92 episodes of 50 minutes each. The show was created by William Blinn (inspired by th ...

'' (TV Series, 2 episodes) as Nellie 'Dirty Nellie' / Vivian Fellers * 1978 ''

'' (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 ''Hill Street Blues'' is an American serial police procedural television series that aired on NBC in prime-time from January 15, 1981, to May 12, 1987, for 146 episodes. The show chronicles the lives of the staff of a single police station loca ...

'' as Neighbor / Woman Onlooker * 1982 ''

T.J. Hooker ''T. J. Hooker'' is an American police drama television program starring William Shatner in the title role as a 15-year veteran police sergeant. The series premiered as a mid-season replacement on March 13, 1982, on ABC and ran on the network un ...

'' (TV Series,1 episode) as Mrs. Sears * 1982 ''

Wacko ''Wacko'' is a 1983 arcade game by Bally Midway. It featured a unique angled cabinet design and a combination of trackball and joystick controls. The player assumes the role of Kapt'n Krooz'r, a small, green alien within a bubble-topped spaces ...

'' as Harbinger's Mother * 1983 '' Alice'' (TV Series, 1 episode) as Customer * 1983 ''

The Jeffersons ''The Jeffersons'' is an American sitcom television series that was broadcast on CBS from January 18, 1975, to July 2, 1985, lasting 11 seasons and a total of List of The Jeffersons episodes, 253 episodes. ''The Jeffersons'' is one of the longe ...

'' (TV Series, 1 episode) as Alice * 1983 '' Deal of the Century'' as Baptist #3 * 1984 ''

Hardcastle and McCormick ''Hardcastle and McCormick'' is an American action crime drama television series that aired on ABC from September 18, 1983, through May 5, 1986. The series stars Brian Keith as Judge Milton C. Hardcastle and Daniel Hugh Kelly as ex-con and race ...

'' (TV Series, 1 episode) as Mrs. Prufrock * 1984 ''

The Jerk, Too ''The Jerk, Too'' is a 1984 American made-for-television comedy film starring Mark Blankfield as title character Navin Johnson, in a reworked version of the 1979 Steve Martin film ''The Jerk''. While Martin is credited as "executive producer" of ...

'' (TV Movie) as Grandma Johnson * 1984 '' St. Elsewhere'' (TV Series, 1 episode) as Elderly Lady * 1984 '' Repo Man'' as Mrs. Parks * 1984 ''

Benson Benson may refer to: Animals *Benson (fish), largest common carp caught in Britain Places Geography Canada *Rural Municipality of Benson No. 35, Saskatchewan; rural municipality *Benson, Saskatchewan; hamlet United Kingdom * Benson, Oxfordshire ...

'' (TV Series) as Benson's Aunt Lil episode "the reunion" * 1985-1990 '' 227'' (TV Series, 116 episodes) as Pearl Shay * 1985 ''

Amos Amos or AMOS may refer to: Arts and entertainment * Amos Records, an independent record label established in Los Angeles, California, in 1968 * Amos (band), an American Christian rock band * ''Amos'' (album), an album by Michael Ray * ''Amos' ...

'' (TV Movie) as Mrs. McKenzie * 1987 ''

'' as Bobby's Grandmother * 1989 ''

A Raisin in the Sun ''A Raisin in the Sun'' is a play by Lorraine Hansberry that debuted on Broadway in 1959. The title comes from the poem "Harlem" (also known as "A Dream Deferred") by Langston Hughes. The story tells of a black family's experiences in south Chi ...

'' (TV Movie) as Mrs. Johnson * 1989 ''

Full House ''Full House'' is an American television sitcom created by Jeff Franklin for ABC. The show is about widowed father Danny Tanner who enlists his brother-in-law Jesse Katsopolis and childhood best friend Joey Gladstone to help raise his three dau ...

'' (TV Series, 1 episode) as Shirley * 1989 '' Jackée'' (TV Series) as Pearl Shay * 1990 ''Night Angel'' as Sadie * 1990 ''

The Flash The Flash (or simply Flash) is the name of several superheroes appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Harry Lampert, the original Flash first appeared in ''Flash Comics'' #1 (cover date ...

'' (TV Series, 1 episode) as Sadie Grosso * 1991 '' A Rage in Harlem'' as Mrs. Canfield * 1991 ''

Doc Hollywood ''Doc Hollywood'' is a 1991 American romantic comedy film directed by Michael Caton-Jones and written by Daniel Pyne along with Jeffrey Price and Peter S. Seaman, based on Neil B. Shulman's book ''What? Dead...Again?'' The film stars Michael J. ...

'' as Maddie, Welcoming Committee * 1991 ''

'' as Mrs. Deevers * 1993 ''The Pitch'' (Short) as Old Woman * 1994 ''

Beverly Hills Cop III ''Beverly Hills Cop III'' is a 1994 American action comedy film starring Eddie Murphy and directed by John Landis, who had previously worked with Murphy on ''Trading Places'' and ''Coming to America''. It is the third film in the ''Beverly Hill ...

'' as Grandma * 1995 ''

The Parent 'Hood ''The Parent 'Hood'' is an American sitcom television series that aired on The WB from January 18, 1995, to July 25, 1999. The series starred Robert Townsend and Suzzanne Douglas. Originally to be titled ''Father Knows Nothing'' (a parody of t ...

'' (TV Series, 1 episode) as Ms. Morris * 1995 ''

The Wayans Bros. ''The Wayans Bros.'' is an American sitcom television series that aired on The WB from January 11, 1995, to May 20, 1999. The series starred real life brothers Shawn and Marlon Wayans. The series also starred John Witherspoon and Anna Maria Hors ...

'' (TV Series, 1 episode) as Mother Evans * 1996 ''

'' as Loc Dog's Grandma * 1997 '' Kiss the Girls'' as Nana Cross * 1997 ''

I'm Bout It ''I'm Bout It'' is a 1997 American drama comedy film by rapper Master P. The film stars Master P, Moon Jones, Anthony Boswell, Silkk the Shocker, Mack 10, C-Murder, Mia X and Mr. Serv-On. Plot The movie chronicles New Orleans through the eyes ...

'' (V) as Mrs. Alberta * 1998 ''

The Jamie Foxx Show ''The Jamie Foxx Show'' is an American sitcom that aired on The WB from August 28, 1996, to January 14, 2001. The series stars Jamie Foxx, Garcelle Beauvais, Christopher B. Duncan, Ellia English, and Garrett Morris. Although the show was not a m ...

'' (TV Series, 1 episode) as Mother Superior * 1998 '' Since You've Been Gone'' (TV Movie) as Old Lady * 1998 ''

'' as Momma Doll * 1998 ''

'' (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

*1937: ''Orchids Preferred'' .... Evy *1941: ''

'' .... Vera Thomas *1945: '' Deep Are the Roots'' .... Honey Turner *1953: ''Take a Giant Step'' .... Poppy *1960: '' The Long Dream'' .... Maude Carter *1960: ''

'' .... Susie *1960: '' The Blacks'' .... *1961: ''

'' .... Missy Judson *1963: ''My Mother, My Father and Me'' .... Hannah *1965: ''

'' .... Sister Douglas *1967: '' Something Different'' .... Sarah Goldfine *1970: ''

'' .... Idelia *1973: ''

'' .... Mrs. Johnson

References

External links

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Martin, Helen 1909 births 2000 deaths Actresses from St. Louis Place of birth missing American television actresses African-American actresses American film actresses 20th-century African-American women singers American musical theatre actresses 20th-century American actresses 20th-century American singers 20th-century American women singers