Helen Martin
Known for Acting · 50 credits
- Born
- 1909-07-23
- Died
- 2000-03-25
- Place of birth
- St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Helen Dorothy Martin (July 23, 1909 – March 25, 2000) was an American actress of stage and television who is perhaps most well known for her role in the sitcom 227 as Marla Gibbs' neighbor Pearl.
Martin was born in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of Amanda Frankie (née Fox) and William Martin, a minister.
Martin was a Broadway character actress for many decades, debuting in Orson Welles' production of Native Son in 1941. She appeared in at least a dozen Broadway shows including Jean Genet's The Blacks, Raisin from 1973 to 1975, Ossie Davis' Purlie Victorious (and later the musical version, which was called Purlie), The Amen Corner and Tennessee Williams' Period of Adjustment. She was an original member of the American Negro Theater.
She first became famous later in life for her guest role as Wanda on the television series Good Times, and later as the wisecracking neighbor Pearl Shay on the television sitcom 227. She also played on the short-run sitcoms Baby, I'm Back (as mother in-law, Luzelle) and That's My Mama; as Loc Dog's grandma, Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996), the matronly grandmother Mama Doll in the 1998 film Bulworth, and the no-nonsense grandmother in the film Hollywood Shuffle. Helen Martin died of a heart attack on March 25, 2000.
Known For
TV Shows (24)
Hill Street Blues
1981
St. Elsewhere
1982
as Elderly Lady
Full House
1987
as Shirley
T. J. Hooker
1982
as Mrs. Sears
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
1993
as Self (archive footage)
Starsky & Hutch
1975
as Vivian Fellers
The Bill
1984
Sanford and Son
1972
The Jeffersons
1975
Hardcastle and McCormick
1983
227
1985
as Pearl Shay
The Flash
1990
as Sadie Grosso
Benson
1979
Roots
1977
as Aunt Sukey
The Jamie Foxx Show
1996
as Mother Superior
Good Times
1974
The Wayans Bros.
1995
as Mother Evans
Maude
1972
The Parent 'Hood
1995
The White Shadow
1978
as Old Woman
What's Happening!!
1976
as Millie / Mrs. Lloyd
That's My Mama
1974
Baby, I'm Back
1978
The Stockard Channing Show
1980
Movies (26)
Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood
1996
as Loc Dog's Grandma
Kiss the Girls
1997
as Nana Cross
Death Wish
1974
as Alma Lee Brown
Beverly Hills Cop III
1994
as Grandma
Doc Hollywood
1991
as Maddie, Welcoming Committee
Repo Man
1984
as Mrs. Parks
Bulworth
1998
as Momma Doll
Deal of the Century
1983
as Baptist #3
Night Angel
1990
as Sadie
House Party 2
1991
as Mrs. Deevers
Wacko
1982
as Harbinger's Mother
Hollywood Shuffle
1987
as Bobby's Grandmother
Cindy
1978
as Flower Lady
The Phenix City Story
1955
as Helen Ward
A Hero Ain't Nothin' But a Sandwich
1977
as Mrs. Bell
Robert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2
1988
Something to Sing About
2000
as Elderly Woman
I Got the Hook-Up
1998
as Grandmother
Lawman Without a Gun
1979
as Mrs. Cartwright
Better Late Than Never
1979
The Jerk, Too
1984
as Grandma Johnson
Amos
1985
as Mrs. McKenzie
Dummy
1979
as Mrs. Harrod
The NBC All Star Hour: Let's All Be There
1985
A Raisin in the Sun
1989
as Mrs. Johnson
J.T.
1971
as Mrs. Hill
About Helen Martin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Helen Dorothy Martin (July 23, 1909 – March 25, 2000) was an American actress of stage and television who is perhaps most well known for her role in the sitcom 227 as Marla Gibbs' neighbor Pearl. Martin was born in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of Amanda Frankie (née Fox) and William Martin, a minister. Martin was a Broadway character actress for many decades, debuting in Orson Welles' production of Native Son in 1941. She appeared in at least a dozen Broadway shows including Jean Genet's The Blacks, R… With 50 credits spanning from 1955 to 2000, Helen Martin has appeared in 26 films and 24 TV shows.
Fans searching for Helen Martin movies, Helen Martin filmography, or the latest projects starring Helen Martin can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular Helen Martin Movies
- Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996) — as Loc Dog's Grandma
- Kiss the Girls (1997) — as Nana Cross
- Death Wish (1974) — as Alma Lee Brown
- Beverly Hills Cop III (1994) — as Grandma
- Doc Hollywood (1991) — as Maddie, Welcoming Committee
Where to Watch Helen Martin Films
Most Helen Martin movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring Helen Martin, check our movies catalogue and browse page.