Audra Lindley facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Audra Lindley
Lindley in Fay (1975)
Born	Audra Marie Lindley (1918-09-24)September 24, 1918 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Died	October 16, 1997(1997-10-16) (aged 79) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1941–1997
Spouse(s)	Hardy Ulm ​ ​ (m. 1943; died 1970)​ James Whitmore ​ ​ (m. 1972; div. 1979)​
Children	5

Audra Lindley (born September 24, 1918 – died October 16, 1997) was an American actress. She was best known for playing Helen Roper. This was a landlady character on the TV show Three's Company. She also starred in its spin-off show, The Ropers.

Audra Lindley's Early Life and Career

Audra Lindley grew up in Los Angeles, a city famous for movies. Her father, Bert Lindley, was an actor too. Audra started in Hollywood as a "stand-in." This means she stood in for actors during lighting setups. Later, she did stunt work. She then got a contract with Warner Bros.. This meant she worked regularly for the studio.

In 1943, Audra moved to New York City. She wanted to work in theater there. She acted in many plays on Broadway. Some famous ones include On Golden Pond and Long Day's Journey into Night.

Returning to Acting on Television

Audra took a break from acting to raise her five children. In the early 1960s, she started acting on television again. She played Sue Knowles on the soap opera Search for Tomorrow. She also spent five years as Aunt Liz Matthews on Another World.

She had regular roles in other TV shows. She played Meredith Baxter's mother in Bridget Loves Bernie. She was also Lee Grant’s best friend in Fay. Both of these shows were short-lived.

In 1971, Audra starred in Taking Off. This was the first American movie by director Miloš Forman. She also made guest appearances on The Love Boat several times.

Becoming Famous as Helen Roper

Audra Lindley became very famous for her role as Helen Roper. She played this character on the popular TV show Three’s Company (1977–1979). She wore a wig to create her character's special hairstyle. Helen Roper and her husband Stanley, played by Norman Fell, also starred in their own show. This spin-off series was called The Ropers (1979–1980). It ran for two seasons.

Audra was nominated for a Golden Globe Award twice. Once in 1973 for Bridget Loves Bernie. And again in 1979 for Three's Company.

Later Roles in TV and Movies

Lindley continued to act steadily in television and movies. In 1980, she was in Revenge of the Stepford Wives. She played Fauna in the 1982 movie Cannery Row. Also in 1982, she appeared in Best Friends. This movie starred Goldie Hawn and Burt Reynolds.

In 1987, she played Judith Light's mother in the TV movie Dangerous Affection. In 1989, she was in Troop Beverly Hills. She played the outspoken director of the Wilderness Girls. She also starred in an episode of the horror show Tales from the Crypt in 1989.

In 1991, she was in an episode of The Hidden Room. In 1995, she played Phoebe Buffay's grandmother, Frances, on the popular show Friends.

Some of her last roles in 1997 included an episode of Nothing Sacred. She was also in the TV movie Sisters and Other Strangers. Her last movie was The Relic.

Her very last role was Virginia Sheridan. This was a recurring part as Cybill Shepherd's character's mother on the show Cybill. She had also played Shepherd's mother in the 1972 movie The Heartbreak Kid. A later episode of Cybill was dedicated to her memory.

Audra Lindley's Personal Life and Death

Audra Lindley was married to Hardy Ulm from 1943 until he passed away in 1970. They had five children together. She then married actor James Whitmore from 1972 to 1979.

Audra Lindley passed away on October 16, 1997, at the age of 79. She died from complications related to leukemia. She was cremated. Her ashes were buried near her parents at Woodlawn Memorial Cemetery in Santa Monica, California.

Audra Lindley's Filmography

See also

In Spanish: Audra Lindley para niños