Helen Shaver facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Helen Shaver
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|---|---|
| Born | February 24, 1951 St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada
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| Occupation | Actress, director |
| Years active | 1972–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Steven Reuther
(m. 1979; div. 1982)Steve Smith
(m. 1988) |
| Children | 1 |
Helen Shaver is a talented Canadian actress and director. She was born on February 24, 1951. Helen has appeared in many movies and TV shows. She has also directed over 50 television episodes and films.
Helen is known for her roles in films like In Praise of Older Women (1978), The Amityville Horror (1979), and The Color of Money (1986). She also starred in the horror series Poltergeist: The Legacy from 1996 to 1999.
She has won several awards for her acting and directing. These include Canadian Screen Awards and Directors Guild of Canada Awards. In 2004, Helen Shaver was honored with a spot on Canada's Walk of Fame.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Helen Shaver grew up in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada. She has five sisters. Her journey into acting began in the 1970s.
First Acting Roles
Helen started her career with roles in Canadian films. Some of her early movies include Outrageous! (1977) and Starship Invasions (1977). She quickly gained recognition for her acting skills.
Winning Early Awards
In 1978, Helen won a Canadian Screen Award for Best Actress for her role in In Praise of Older Women. This award helped her become more well-known in the film world.
Becoming a Star
Helen Shaver continued to take on interesting roles in the 1980s. She worked with famous directors and actors.
Key Film Roles
One of her notable roles was in The Osterman Weekend (1983). In 1985, she starred in Desert Hearts, where her performance earned her the Bronze Leopard Award. She also appeared alongside Paul Newman in Martin Scorsese's The Color of Money (1986).
Television Appearances
Helen also made a name for herself on television. She starred in the series United States (1980) and Jessica Novak (1981). Later, she was a main character in Poltergeist: The Legacy.
Transition to Directing
In the mid-1990s, Helen Shaver started a new part of her career: directing. She has become a very successful director for television and film.
Directing Television Shows
Helen has directed episodes for many popular TV series. These include The Outer Limits, Judging Amy, Medium, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Orphan Black, and Vikings. She has directed over 50 shows.
Award-Winning Director
Her directing work has earned her many awards. She won three Directors Guild of Canada Awards. She also won a Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Miniseries or TV Film for her work on Station Eleven in 2023. She was even nominated for an Emmy Award for directing the TV movie Summer's End in 1999.
Recent Directing Work
In 2020, Helen directed her first feature film for cinemas, called Happy Place. She continues to direct for major television series, including Westworld and The Penguin.
Filmography
Film Roles
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | The Supreme Kid | Girl Hitch-Hiker | Make-up |
| 1976 | Shoot | Paula | |
| 1977 | Outrageous! | Jo | |
| 1977 | Starship Invasions | Betty Duncan | |
| 1977 | Who Has Seen the Wind | Ruth Thompson | |
| 1978 | High-Ballin' | "Pickup" | |
| 1978 | In Praise of Older Women | Ann MacDonald | Canadian Screen Award for Best Actress |
| 1979 | The Amityville Horror | Carolyn | |
| 1980 | Coming Out Alive | Isobel | |
| 1981 | Gas | Rhonda | |
| 1982 | Harry Tracy, Desperado | Catherine Tuttle | |
| 1983 | The Osterman Weekend | Virginia Tremayne | |
| 1984 | Best Defense | Clair Lewis | |
| 1984 | Body Double | Voice of Gloria Revelle (uncredited) | |
| 1985 | Desert Hearts | Vivian Bell | Locarno International Film Festival Bronze Leopard |
| 1985 | The War Boy | Maria | |
| 1986 | Lost! | Linda | Nominated — Canadian Screen Award for Best Actress |
| 1986 | The Men's Club | Sarah | |
| 1986 | The Color of Money | Janelle | |
| 1987 | The Believers | Jessica Halliday | |
| 1988 | The Land Before Time | Littlefoot's Mother | |
| 1989 | Tree of Hands | Benet Archdale | |
| 1990 | Bethune: The Making of a Hero | Veronica Dowd | |
| 1991 | A Smile in the Dark | The Devil | |
| 1992 | Zebrahead | Diane | |
| 1992 | That Night | Ann O'Connor | |
| 1993 | Morning Glory | Lula Peak | |
| 1995 | Open Season | Rachel Rowen | |
| 1995 | Born to Be Wild | Margaret Heller | |
| 1996 | The Craft | Grace Downs | |
| 1996 | Rowing Through | "Slim" | |
| 1996 | Tremors 2: Aftershocks | Dr. Kate Riley | |
| 1996 | Egg Salad | Gladys | Short |
| 1999 | The Wishing Tree | Wallis Caldwell | |
| 2000 | Bear with Me | Sara Bradley | |
| 2000 | We All Fall Down | Sherry | Canadian Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress |
| 2004 | The Keeper | Ruthie | |
| 2007 | Numb | Audrey Milbank | |
| 2013 | Birthday Cake | Judith Ferguson | |
| 2013 | Down River | Pearl | Nominated — Leo Award for Best Lead Performance by a Female in a Motion Picture Nominated — ACTRA Award for Outstanding Performance - Female |
| 2018 | Souls of Totality | Shepherd One | Short |
Television Roles
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | The Beachcombers | "Affairs of the Heart" | |
| 1974 | Police Surgeon | Gloria | "The Killer" |
| 1975 | Police Surgeon | Bonnie | "Web of Guilt" |
| 1977 | Search and Rescue: The Alpha Team | Dr. Liz Warren | TV film |
| 1978 | Lovey: A Circle of Children, Part II | Patty | TV film |
| 1979 | Overlanders | Mrs. O'Mara | TV film |
| 1980 | United States | Libby Chapin | Main role |
| 1981 | Jessica Novak | Jessica Novak | Main role |
| 1982 | Between Two Brothers | Susan Frazer | TV film |
| 1982 | Off Your Rocker | Miss Beecher | TV film |
| 1982 | Hill Street Blues | Teresa Hyler | 4 episodes |
| 1983 | T. J. Hooker | Lisa Jericho | "The Shadow of Truth" |
| 1984 | Countdown to Looking Glass | Dorian Waldorf | TV film |
| 1985 | The Park Is Mine | Valery | TV film |
| 1986 | Amazing Stories | Karen | "Mirror, Mirror" |
| 1986 | Philip Marlowe, Private Eye | Belle Delaguerra | "Spanish Blood" |
| 1986 | The Edison Twins | Phyllis Dayton | "The Case of the Friendly Fugitive", "Gems and Jelly Beans", "The Maharajah of Weston" |
| 1986 | Many Happy Returns | Sally Robinson | TV film |
| 1987 | The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | Herself | TV talk show, June 25, 1987 |
| 1988 | The Ray Bradbury Theater | Miss Haight | "The Emissary" |
| 1988 | No Blame | Amy Donaldson | TV film Nominated — Gemini Award for Best Performance by a Lead Actress in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series |
| 1989 | B.L. Stryker | Diane Decker | "The Dancer's Touch" |
| 1989 | Mothers, Daughters and Lovers | Claire Nichols | TV film |
| 1990 | Pair of Aces | Rose | TV film |
| 1990 | Columbo | Vivian Dimitri | "Rest in Peace, Mrs. Columbo" |
| 1990-1991 | WIOU | Kelby Robinson | Main role |
| 1992 | E.N.G. | Sandra Brady | "Child's Play" |
| 1992 | Fatal Memories | Elaine Tipton | TV film |
| 1993 | Survive the Night | Stacy | TV film |
| 1993 | Poisoned by Love: The Kern County Murders | Edie Ballew | TV film |
| 1993 | Trial & Error | Katherine Woodfield | TV film |
| 1994 | The Forget-Me-Not Murders | Monique | TV film |
| 1994 | Ride with the Wind | Katherine Barnes | TV film |
| 1994 | Without Consent | Nora Fields | TV film |
| 1994 | Janek: The Silent Betrayal | Monique Dessier | TV film |
| 1995 | Falling for You | Mary | TV film |
| 1995 | The Outer Limits | Cathy Kress | "The Sandkings" Nominated — CableACE Award for Actress in a Dramatic Series |
| 1996-1999 | Poltergeist: The Legacy | Dr. Rachel Corrigan | Main role Nominated — Saturn Award for Best Actress on Television |
| 1997 | Dead Man's Gun | Dianna McKinney | "Next of Kin" |
| 1998 | The Sweetest Gift | Mrs. Martin | TV film |
| 1999 | The First Gentleman | Marjorie Litchfield | TV film |
| 2000 | Common Ground | Janet | TV film |
| 2001-2002 | The Education of Max Bickford | Erica Bettis | Main role |
| 2003 | The Risen | Lynn Todd | TV film |
| 2003 | D.C. Sniper: 23 Days of Fear | Sandy Moose | TV film |
| 2004 | The L Word | Faye Buckley | "Luck, Next Time", "Liberally" |
| 2004 | The 4400 | Barbara Yates | "Becoming", "Trial by Fire" |
| 2008 | A Very Merry Daughter of the Bride | Rose | TV film |
| 2010 | Iris Expanding | Iris's Mom | TV film |
Director
| Year | Title | Note(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1996-1999 | Poltergeist: The Legacy | 2 episodes |
| 1997-2000 | The Outer Limits | 6 episodes |
| 1998 | Dead Man's Gun | Episode: "Stage Coach Marty" |
| The Net | Episode: "Bulls and Bears" | |
| 1999 | Summer's End | TV movie |
| 2000-2001 | Beggars and Choosers | 2 episodes |
| 2001 | The Associates | Unknown episodes |
| Soul Food | Episode: "This Crazy Life" | |
| 2001-2005 | Judging Amy | 11 episodes |
| 2002 | The District | Episode: "Shell Game" |
| Due East | TV movie | |
| 2003 | Just Cause | Episode: "Death's Details" |
| Dead Like Me | Episode: "Rest in Peace" | |
| Joan of Arcadia | Episode: "The Uncertainty Principle" | |
| 2004 | The O.C. | Episode: "The Proposal" |
| The 4400 | Episode: "The New and Improved Carl Morrissey" | |
| 2005 | Close to Home | Episode: "Divine Directions" |
| The Stranger I Married | TV movie | |
| 2006 | Medium | Episode: "Doctor's Orders" |
| 2006-2007 | The Unit | 3 episodes |
| 2006 | Vanished | Episode: "The Feed" |
| Standoff | Episode: "Borderline" | |
| Ultra | TV movie | |
| 2007 | Jericho | Episode: "Black Jack" |
| Journeyman | Episode: "Winterland" | |
| 2008-2011 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | 9 episodes |
| 2008-2009 | Cursoe | 2 episodes |
| Private Practice | 2 episodes | |
| 2009 | Castle | Episode: "One Man's Treasure" |
| 2010 | Make it or Break It | Episode: "Save the Last Dance" |
| The Bridge | 2 episodes | |
| Shattered | 2 episodes | |
| 2011 | Flashpoint | Episode: "I'd Do Anything" |
| Stargate Universe | Episode: "Seizure" | |
| Law & Order: LA | Episode: "Big Rock Mesa" | |
| Combat Hospital | 2 episodes | |
| 2012 | The Firm | 5 episodes |
| 2012-2015 | Person of Interest | 3 episodes |
| 2013 | Republic of Doyle | Episode: "Firecracker" |
| 2013-2014 | Revolution | 3 episodes |
| 2014 | Reign | Episode: "For King and Country" |
| Elementary | Episode: "Dead Clade Walking" | |
| 2014-2017 | Orphan Black | 3 episodes |
| 2015-2019 | Vikings | 6 episodes |
| 2016 | Heartbeat | Episode: "100,000 Heartbeats" |
| Travelers | 2 episodes | |
| 2017-2018 | Anne with an E | 2 episodes |
| 2017 | 13 Reasons Why | 2 episodes |
| 2018 | Sneaky Pete | Episode: "The Reluctant Taxidermist" |
| Impulse | Episode: "The Eagle and the Bee" | |
| Dietland | 2 episodes | |
| 2020 | Westworld | Episode: "Passed Pawn" |
| Snowpiercer | 2 episodes | |
| Lovecraft Country | Episode: "Meet Me in Daegu" | |
| Happy Place | Feature film | |
| 2021-2022 | Station Eleven | 3 episodes |
| 2022 | Quantum Leap | Episode: "What a Disaster!" |
| 2023 | The New Look | 4 episodes |
| 2024 | The Penguin | Episodes: "Cent'Anni" and "Homecoming" |
Awards and Recognition
Helen Shaver has received many awards and nominations throughout her career.
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Leo Awards | Best Direction: Dramatic Series | The Outer Limits, episode: "Lithia" | Nominated | |
| 2001 | Genie Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role | We All Fall Down | Won | |
| Leo Awards | Best Performance by a Female: Feature Length Drama | We All Fall Down | Nominated | ||
| 2014 | Leo Awards | Best Lead Performance by a Female: Motion Picture | Down River | Nominated | |
| 2017 | DGC Awards | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series | Vikings, episode: "Promised" | Won | |
| 2018 | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Direction: Dramatic series | Anne With an E, episode: "I Am No Bird, And No Net Ensnares Me" | Nominated | |
| 2019 | Leo Awards | Best Direction: Dramatic Series | Anne With an E, episode: "Youth Is The Season Of Hope" | Nominated | |
| 2022 | DGC Awards | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series | Maid, episode: "String Cheese" | Nominated | |
| Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Mini-Series | Station Eleven, episode: "Who’s There?" | Won | |||
| 2025 | Emmy Awards | Outstanding Directing For A Limited Or Anthology Series Or Movie | The Penguin, episode: "Cent'anni" | Nominated |
See also
In Spanish: Helen Shaver para niños
