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 Year 227 (Roman numerals, CCXXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Julian calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Senecio and Fulvius (or, less frequently, year 980 ''Ab urbe condita''). The denomination ...

'' (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 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 Stre ...

character actress A character actor is an actor known for playing unusual, eccentric, or interesting characters in supporting roles, rather than leading ones.28 April 2013, The New York Acting SchoolTen Best Character Actors of All Time Retrieved 7 August 2014 ...

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 Native may refer to: People * '' Jus sanguinis'', nationality by blood * '' Jus soli'', nationality by location of birth * Indigenous peoples, peoples with a set of specific rights based on their historical ties to a particular territory ** Nat ...

'' 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 ''Purlie Victorious (A Non-Confederate Romp through the Cotton Patch)'' is a three-act comedic stage play written by American actor Ossie Davis. It tells the fictional story of Reverend Purlie Victorious Judson, a dynamic traveling preacher return ...

'' (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''. Plot ''Purlie'' is set in an era when Jim Crow laws still we ...

''), ''

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 Broad ...

'' 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 ''

'', 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 ''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 roadb ...

'' (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 ''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 a triple premie ...

'' 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? ''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 ( ...

'' 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, Ralph Meeker, Garrett Morris, Margaret Hamilton, and Alan King. The screenplay by Frank Pie ...

'' 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 first aired on ABC from August 5, 1976, premiering as a summer series. It also returned as a weekly series, that later aired for the rest of the three seasons, from November 1 ...

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

Sanford and Son ''Sanford and Son'' is an American sitcom television series that aired on NBC from January 14, 1972, to March 25, 1977. It was based on the British sitcom '' Steptoe and Son'', which initially aired on BBC1 in the United Kingdom from 1962 to ...

'' (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 ''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 ...

'' (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 Cindy may refer to: People *Cindy (given name), a list of people named Cindy, Cindi, Cyndi or Cyndy *Tugiyati Cindy (born 1985), Indonesian footballer *Cindy (singer), Japanese singer Music * ''Cindy'' (musical), an off-Broadway production in 1 ...

'' (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 ''Wacko'' is a 1983 arcade video game by Bally Midway. It has 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 spacesh ...

'' 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 ''Deal of the Century'' is a 1983 American comedy film directed by William Friedkin and starring Chevy Chase, Gregory Hines, and Sigourney Weaver. The film follows the adventures of several arms dealers that compete to sell weapons to a South ...

'' 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 r ...

'' (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 ''

'' (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 ''

'' 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 ''Beverly Hills Cop III'' is a 1994 American action comedy film starring Eddie Murphy. The third film in the ''Beverly Hills Cop'' franchise, it was written by Steven E. de Souza and directed by John Landis. Murphy again plays Detroit detect ...

'' 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 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: ''

'' .... Vera Thomas *1945: ''

Deep Are the Roots ''Deep Are the Roots'' is a 1945 play by Arnaud d'Usseau and James Gow about a decorated African-American soldier who has returned from World War II. Plot Lieutenant Brett Charles returns to the Deep South, where he grew up as the son of the hou ...

'' .... Honey Turner *1953: ''Take a Giant Step'' .... Poppy *1960: '' The Long Dream'' .... Maude Carter *1960: '' Period of Adjustment'' .... 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 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