Helen Martin
Helen Martin was born in St. Louis, Missouri, United States on July 23rd, 1909 and is the TV Actress. At the age of 90, Helen Martin biography, profession, age, height, weight, eye color, hair color, build, measurements, education, career, dating/affair, family, news updates, movies, and networth are available.
At 90 years old, Helen Martin has this physical status:
Helen Dorothy Martin (July 23, 1909 – March 25, 2000) was an American actress of stage and television.
She is best known for her appearances as Wanda on CBS sitcom Good Times (1974-1979) and Pearl Shay on NBC sitcom 227 (1985-1990).
Early life and education
Martin was born in Nashville, Tennessee, and was raised with love.
Martin studied at the University of Chicago and New York City after graduating from college to study acting with the WPA and the Rose McClendon Players. She was a founding member of Harlem's American Negro Theater. Martin performed in 'Orchids Preferred' in 1937 and then Orson Welles' production of Native Son in 1941.
Martin appeared in a dozen Broadway shows, including Jean Genet's The Blacks, The Musical Raisin from 1973 to 1975, Ossie Davis' Purlie Victorious (and later the musical version, which was dubbed Purlie), The Amen Corner and Tennessee Williams' Period of Adjustment.
Martin became well-known later in life due to her appearances in a hit television series, which attracted a large audience. Wanda "Weeping Wanda" on the television show Good Times, and later as Pearl Shay on the television sitcom 227, which lasted from 1985 to 1990. Martin appeared on Baby, I'm Back (as mother in-law, Luzelle) and That's My Mama, among other things. In films, Martin played a variety of grandmothers: From Hollywood Shuffle (1987), Don't Be a Menace to South Central; When Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996), House Party 2 (1991), and Mama Doll in Bulworth (1998).
"I love the reefer!" says Martin, who appeared on Late Night with Conan O'Brien to promote Don't Be a Menace. "She will be a stripper if she didn't go into acting," the singer said after the introduction of a suggestive dance.
Martin died of a heart attack in Monterey, California, on March 25, 2000, at the age of 90.
Career
Martin left college and returned to New York City later to study acting with the WPA and the Rose McClendon Players. She was a founding member of Harlem's American Negro Theater. Martin was a Broadway character actress for many decades, debuting in 'Orchids Preferred' in 1937 and then Orson Welles' production of Native Son in 1941.
Martin appeared in dozens of Broadway shows, including Jean Genet's The Blacks, the musical Raisin from 1973 to 1975, Ossie Davis' Purlie Victorious (and later the theatrical version, which was dubbed Purlie), The Amen Corner and Tennessee Williams' Period of Adjustment.
Martin became well-known later in life thanks to her appearances in a huge television series that attracted a large audience. Wanda "Weeping Wanda" on the television show Good Times and later as the neighbor Pearl Shay on the television sitcom 227, which ran from 1985 to 1990. Martin appeared on Baby, I'm Back (as mother in-law, Luzelle), and That's My Mama, which was also a short film. In films, Martin portrayed a variety of grandmothers: Don't Be a Menace to South Central, Don't Be a Menace, and Bossy in the Hood (1996), I Got the Hook Up (1991), and Mama Doll in Bulworth (1998).
"I love the reefer!" Martin said while appearing on Late Night with Conan O'Brien to promote Don't Be a Menace. Following the assertion with a suggestive dance, she would have been a stripper if she didn't go back to acting."
Martin died of a heart attack in Monterey, California, on March 25, 2000.