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

stage Stage, stages, or staging may refer to: Arts and media 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 Brit ...

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 Williams 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 (actor), Mike Evans and developed by executive producer Norman Lear, it was televis ...

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

Biography

Early life and education

Martin was born in

St. Louis St. Louis ( , sometimes referred to as St. Louis City, Saint Louis or STL) is an independent city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It lies near the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a populatio ...

and raised in

Nashville, Tennessee Nashville, often known as Music City, is the capital and List of municipalities in Tennessee, most populous city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the county seat, seat of Davidson County, Tennessee, Davidson County in Middle Tennessee, locat ...

. 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 university, private Historically black colleges and universities, historically black Liberal arts colleges in the United States, liberal arts college in Nashville, Tennessee. It was founded in 1866 and its campus i ...

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

Great Depression The Great Depression was a severe global economic downturn from 1929 to 1939. The period was characterized by high rates of unemployment and poverty, drastic reductions in industrial production and international trade, and widespread bank and ...

, 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 in

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 on the north; Fifth Avenue on the east; and Central Park North on the south. The greater ...

. Martin became a Broadway character actress 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 director, actor, writer, producer, and magician who is remembered for his innovative work in film, radio, and theatre. He is among the greatest and most influential film ...

's production of '' Native Son'' 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 Th ...

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

Raisin A raisin is a Dried fruit, 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, Republic of Ireland, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia and South Afri ...

'' from 1973 until 1975,

Ossie Davis Ossie Davis (born Raiford Chatman Davis; December 18, 1917 – February 4, 2005) was an American actor, Film director, director, writer, and activist. He was married to Ruby Dee, with whom he frequently performed, until his death. He received num ...

's '' Purlie Victorious'' (and later the musical version, which was called '' Purlie''), '' The Amen Corner'' 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 three ...

'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" Williams 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!'' 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 a compulsive gambler who abandoned his f ...

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

That's My Mama ''That's My Mama'' is an American television sitcom that was the first series to be produced by Columbia Pictures Television and originally broadcast for 39 episodes on American Broadcasting Company, ABC from September 4, 1974, to December 24, ...

''. Martin portrayed a variety of grandmothers in films: '' Hollywood Shuffle'' (1987), ''

Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood #REDIRECT Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood {{R from other capitalisation ...

'' (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 film was distributed by Dimension Films. ...

'' (1998), ''

House Party 2 ''House Party 2'' is a 1991 American comedy film and the second installment of the House_Party_(franchise)#Films, ''House Party'' film series. Kid 'n Play, Full Force, Tisha Campbell, and Martin Lawrence reprise their roles from the first film ...

'' (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 ...

'' (1998). While appearing on ''

Late Night with Conan O'Brien ''Late Night with Conan O'Brien'' is an American television talk show broadcast by NBC. The show is the second installment of the ''Late Night (franchise), Late Night'' franchise originally established by David Letterman. Hosted by Conan O'Brie ...

'' 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, actor, and producer. He is best known for having hosted Late-night talk show, late-night talk shows, beginning with ''Late Night with Conan O'B ...

and the audience into a frenzy with her remark, "I love reefer!" in response to a question about being cast as a pot-smoking grandmother in the film. She also said she would have been a stripper had she not gone into acting and followed her 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, at the age of 90.JET, April 17, 2000
Retrieved February 2, 2020.

Filmography

* 1955 '' The Phenix City Story'' as Helen Ward * 1961 '' Frontiers of Faith'' (TV series, 1 episode) as Unknown * 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 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 blaxploita ...

'' 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 ''

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

'' (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 Insight is the understanding of a specific causality, 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 se ...

'' (TV Series, 1 episode) as Bessie * 1977 '' Starsky and Hutch'' (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 Metropolitan Police Department staff ...

'' 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 u ...

'' (TV Series,1 episode) as Mrs. Sears * 1982 '' Wacko'' as Harbinger's Mother * 1983 ''

Alice Alice may refer to: * Alice (name), most often a feminine given name, but also used as a surname Literature * Alice (''Alice's Adventures in Wonderland''), a character in books by Lewis Carroll * ''Alice'' series, children's and teen books by ...

'' (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 253 episodes, ''The Jeffersons'' is one of the longest-running sitcoms in history ...

'' (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 ''St. Elsewhere'' is an American medical drama television series created by Joshua Brand and John Falsey that originally ran on NBC from October 26, 1982, to May 25, 1988. The series stars Ed Flanders, Norman Lloyd, and William Daniels as ...

'' (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 Amos or AMOS may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Amos'' (album), an album by Michael Ray * Amos (band), an American Christian rock band * ''Amos'' (film), a 1985 American made-for-television drama film * Amos (guitar), a 1958 Gibson Fl ...

'' (TV Movie) as Mrs. McKenzie * 1987 '' Hollywood Shuffle'' 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 Ch ...

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

Full House ''Full House'' is an American television sitcom created by Jeff Franklin for American Broadcasting Company, ABC. The show is about the recently widowed father Danny Tanner who enlists his brother-in-law Jesse Katsopolis and childhood best friend ...

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

The Flash The 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, cover-dated Jan ...

'' (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. F ...

'' as Maddie, Welcoming Committee * 1991 ''

'' 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. ''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 Wayans, Shawn and Marlon Wayans, comedian John Witherspoon (actor), John Withe ...

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

Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood #REDIRECT Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood {{R from other capitalisation ...

'' 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 television sitcom created by Jamie Foxx and Bentley Kyle Evans for The WB. It premiered on August 28, 1996, and ended on January 14, 2001, with a total of 100 episodes over the course of five seasons. A ...

'' (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 Something may refer to: Philosophy and language * Something (concept) * "Something", an English indefinite pronoun Music Albums * ''Something'' (Chairlift album), 2012 * ''Something'' (Shirley Bassey album), 1970 * ''Something'' (Shirley Scot ...

'' (TV Movie) as Elderly woman (final film role)

Stage work

*1937: ''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: ''

'' .... Mrs. Johnson

References

External links

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