Actress. In a career that spanned five decades, the six-time Emmy-nominated actress will best be remembered for her role on ABC's primetime sitcom "Soap" as matriarch Jessica Tate, which landed her four actress Emmy nominations for her performance. She played another famous mom, Mona Robinson, in another ABC hit series, "Who's the Boss?," which landed her two supporting actress Emmy nominations. She would appear in dozens of TV shows and series, including her recurring roles as Doris Sherman on ABC's "Coach," and as Lois Whelan on CBS' hit show "Everybody Loves Raymond." In addition to her TV work, the veteran actress also performed on the Broadway stage, winning a Tony Award in 1973 for her performance in Eugene O'Neill's "The Great God Brown." She also appeared in the plays "Private Lives," "Don Juan," and "Mixed Emotions." On film, Helmond was a regular collaborator of director Terry Gilliam, starring in three of his films; "Time Bandits" (1981), "Brazil" (1985), and "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" (1998). Among other films she appeared in were "The Hindenburg" (1975), "Family Plot" (1976), "Overboard" (1987), "Inside Monkey" (1992), "The Perfect Nanny" (2000), and "Beethoven's 5th" (2003). She was also the voice of Lizzie in the Disney "Cars" franchise in 2006, 2011, and 2017. Helmond died from complications related to Alzheimer's disease.
Actress. In a career that spanned five decades, the six-time Emmy-nominated actress will best be remembered for her role on ABC's primetime sitcom "Soap" as matriarch Jessica Tate, which landed her four actress Emmy nominations for her performance. She played another famous mom, Mona Robinson, in another ABC hit series, "Who's the Boss?," which landed her two supporting actress Emmy nominations. She would appear in dozens of TV shows and series, including her recurring roles as Doris Sherman on ABC's "Coach," and as Lois Whelan on CBS' hit show "Everybody Loves Raymond." In addition to her TV work, the veteran actress also performed on the Broadway stage, winning a Tony Award in 1973 for her performance in Eugene O'Neill's "The Great God Brown." She also appeared in the plays "Private Lives," "Don Juan," and "Mixed Emotions." On film, Helmond was a regular collaborator of director Terry Gilliam, starring in three of his films; "Time Bandits" (1981), "Brazil" (1985), and "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" (1998). Among other films she appeared in were "The Hindenburg" (1975), "Family Plot" (1976), "Overboard" (1987), "Inside Monkey" (1992), "The Perfect Nanny" (2000), and "Beethoven's 5th" (2003). She was also the voice of Lizzie in the Disney "Cars" franchise in 2006, 2011, and 2017. Helmond died from complications related to Alzheimer's disease.
Bio by: Louis du Mort
Family Members
Advertisement
