Helen Martin was a renowned actress of stage and television, best known for her roles as Wanda on Good Times and Pearl Shay on 227. She had a long and successful career that spanned over six decades, appearing in dozens of Broadway shows, films, and TV series. She was also a founding member of the American Negro Theater in Harlem, where she honed her acting skills and contributed to the development of black theater in America. But how did Helen Martin die? What was the cause of her death? In this article, we will explore the life and death of Helen Martin, and pay tribute to her legacy.
Early Life and Career
Helen Martin was born on July 23, 1909, in St. Louis, Missouri, to a family of musicians. Her parents wanted her to become a concert pianist, but she had other aspirations. She dropped out of Fisk University after two years and moved to Chicago, and then to New York City, to pursue an acting career. She joined the WPA Theater and the Rose McClendon Players, where she learned from prominent black actors and playwrights. She made her Broadway debut in 1937 in Orchids Preferred, and later starred in Orson Welles’s production of Native Son in 1941. She became a part of the American Negro Theater, along with Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, Ruby Dee, and Ossie Davis. She appeared in several plays by the theater, such as Anna Lucasta, On Strivers Row, and The Cool World.
Film and Television Roles
Helen Martin made her film debut in 1955 in The Phenix City Story, a crime drama based on a true story. She continued to work on stage, appearing in plays such as Jean Genet’s The Blacks, the musical Raisin (based on Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun), Ossie Davis’s Purlie Victorious (and its musical version, Purlie), James Baldwin’s The Amen Corner, and Tennessee Williams’s Period of Adjustment. She also appeared in several TV shows, such as Frontiers of Faith, That’s My Mama, Death Wish, Starsky and Hutch, Lawman Without a Gun, Better Late Than Ever, and The White Shadow. She gained wider recognition in the 1970s and 1980s, when she played recurring roles as Wanda “Weeping Wanda” on the sitcom Good Times, and as Pearl Shay, the nosy neighbor, on the sitcom 227. She also had guest appearances on shows such as Full House, The Cosby Show, The Golden Girls, and Martin.
Helen Martin also played a variety of grandmothers in films, such as Hollywood Shuffle, Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood, I Got the Hook Up, House Party 2, and Bulworth. She was known for her comedic timing, her expressive facial expressions, and her sassy attitude. She also showed her versatility by playing serious and dramatic roles, such as Mama Doll in Bulworth, and Nana Cross in Kiss the Girls. Her last film role was in Something to Sing About, a musical drama released in 2000.
Helen Martin Cause of Death
Helen Martin died of a heart attack on March 25, 2000, in Monterey, California, at the age of 90. She was survived by her sister, Mary Martin, and her niece, Helen Martin Jr. She was cremated and her ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean. She was remembered by her fans and colleagues as a talented and beloved actress, who brought joy and laughter to millions of people. She was also honored by the NAACP Image Awards, the Screen Actors Guild Awards, and the American Comedy Awards for her contributions to the entertainment industry.
Helen Martin was a trailblazer and a legend, who left behind a rich and diverse body of work. She inspired generations of actors and comedians, who admired her skill and charisma. She was a pioneer of black theater and a star of film and television. She was Helen Martin, and she will never be forgotten.
