Helen Martin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Helen Dorothy Martin (July 23, 1909 โ 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 (nรฉe 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. Description above from the Wikipedia article Helen Martin, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Known For
Credits
- 2000 ยทSomething to Sing Aboutas Elderly Woman
- 1998 ยทI Got the Hook-Upas Grandmother
- 1998 ยทBulworthas Momma Doll
- 1997 ยทKiss the Girlsas Nana Cross
- 1996 ยทThe Jamie Foxx Showas
- 1996 ยทDon't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hoodas Loc Dog's Grandma
- 1995 ยทThe Parent 'Hoodas
- 1995 ยทThe Wayans Bros.as Mother Evans
- 1994 ยทBeverly Hills Cop IIIas Grandma
- 1991 ยทHouse Party 2as Mrs. Deevers
- 1991 ยทDoc Hollywoodas Maddie, Welcoming Committee
- 1990 ยทThe Flashas Sadie Grosso
- 1990 ยทNight Angelas Sadie
- 1989 ยทA Raisin in the Sunas Mrs. Johnson
- 1988 ยทRobert Townsend: Partners in Crime: Vol. 2as
- 1987 ยทFull Houseas Shirley
- 1987 ยทHollywood Shuffleas Bobby's Grandmother
- 1985 ยทAmosas Mrs. McKenzie
- 1985 ยท227as Pearl Shay
- 1984 ยทThe Billas
- 1984 ยทRepo Manas Mrs. Parks
- 1984 ยทThe Jerk, Tooas Grandma Johnson
- 1983 ยทDeal of the Centuryas Baptist #3
- 1983 ยทHardcastle and McCormickas
- 1982 ยทWackoas Harbinger's Mother
- 1982 ยทSt. Elsewhereas
- 1982 ยทT. J. Hookeras Mrs. Sears
- 1981 ยทHill Street Bluesas
- 1980 ยทThe Stockard Channing Showas
- 1979 ยทBetter Late Than Neveras
- 1979 ยทBensonas
- 1979 ยทLawman Without a Gunas Mrs. Cartwright
- 1979 ยทDummyas Mrs. Harrod
- 1978 ยทThe White Shadowas Old Woman
- 1978 ยทCindyas Flower Lady
- 1978 ยทBaby, I'm Backas
- 1977 ยทA Hero Ain't Nothin' But a Sandwichas Mrs. Bell
- 1976 ยทWhat's Happening!!as
- 1975 ยทStarsky & Hutchas Vivian Fellers
- 1975 ยทThe Jeffersonsas
- 1974 ยทThat's My Mamaas
- 1974 ยทDeath Wishas Alma Lee Brown
- 1974 ยทGood Timesas
- 1972 ยทMaudeas
- 1972 ยทSanford and Sonas
- 1969 ยทJ.T.as Mrs. Hill
- 1955 ยทThe Phenix City Storyas Helen Ward