Helen Martin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Helen Martin
Born	Helen Dorothy Martin (1909-07-23)July 23, 1909
Died	March 25, 2000(2000-03-25) (aged 90) Monterey, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1937–2000
Known for	Wanda – Good Times Pearl Shay – 227

Helen Dorothy Martin (born July 23, 1909 – died March 25, 2000) was an American actress. She worked on both the stage and in television shows. Helen Martin's acting career lasted for more than 60 years. She first appeared on stage, then later in movies and on TV. She is best known for playing Wanda on the TV show Good Times (from 1974 to 1979). She also played Pearl Shay on the TV show 227 (from 1985 to 1990).

About Helen Martin

Her Early Life and School

Helen Martin grew up in Nashville, Tennessee. She was the only child in a family of musicians. Her parents wanted her to become a concert pianist. Because her parents encouraged her, Helen went to Fisk University for two years. However, she left college to start an acting career.

During the Great Depression, a time when many people had no jobs, Helen supported herself by working in people's homes.

Her Acting Career

After leaving college, Helen Martin moved to Chicago. Later, she moved to New York City to study acting. She learned acting with groups like the WPA Theater. She also helped start the American Negro Theater in Harlem.

Helen became a well-known Broadway actress for many years. Her first show was 'Orchids Preferred' in 1937. She also acted in Orson Welles's play Native Son in 1941.

She appeared in many Broadway shows. These included The Blacks and the musical Raisin. She was also in Purlie Victorious and The Amen Corner.

Later in her life, Helen Martin became very famous because of her roles in popular TV shows. These shows helped her reach a much larger audience. She had a regular role as Wanda "Weeping Wanda" on the TV show Good Times. Later, she played the neighbor Pearl Shay on the TV show 227. This show ran from 1985 to 1990.

Helen Martin also acted in other TV shows. She was in Baby, I'm Back as Luzelle, the mother-in-law. She also appeared in That's My Mama. In many movies, Helen Martin played different grandmothers. Some of these movies include Hollywood Shuffle (1987) and House Party 2 (1991). She also played Mama Doll in Bulworth (1998).

Her Death

Helen Martin passed away from a heart attack on March 25, 2000. She was 90 years old. She died in Monterey, California.

Movies and TV Shows

Stage Plays

• 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: Raisin .... Mrs. Johnson