Helen Hughes (actress)
Helen Hughes (January 8, 1918 - April 3, 2018) was an American-Canadian actress who has worked in theatre, television, and film.[1]
Helen Margaret Hughes | |
|---|---|
| Born | 8 January 1918 Johnstown, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | 3 April 2018 (aged 100) |
| Occupation | Actress |
Biography
Helen Hughes was born in the Johnstown, Pennsylvania, where she worked as an art teacher, editor and actress. Although she acted while she was in college, her undergraduate degree (from Indiana State University) and her graduate study (at Penn State) both focused on teaching art.[2]
In 1938, Hughes was interviewed on Kate Smith's radio program as one of "the outstanding radio actresses from representative American cities".[3]
She became a permanent resident of Canada in 1972. Her move resulted from acting opportunities, when she performed in 10 weeks of summer theatre in Canada. "I discovered that I loved Canada", she said.[4] A contributing factor in her move was that her marriage had broken up. With her children grown, she felt free to make a change.[5]
She was nominated for a Dora Mavor Moore Award in 1986. She made her last appearance at age 96, as a guest actress in the TV series Sensitive Skin.[6]
In 1980, Hughes starred in The 75th at the Lunchbox Theatre. in Alberta, Canada.[7]
At the 10th Genie Awards in 1989, she received a nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the film Martha, Ruth and Edie.[8]
Hughes also made TV commercials for American Express, Anacin,[2] and one for Heinz ketchup that ran for about three years.[5]
Selected filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Outrageous! | Mrs. Connors | |
| 1979 | Wild Horse Hank | Mrs. Webley | |
| 1981 | Incubus | Agatha Galen | |
| 1982 | Visiting Hours | Louise Shepherd | |
| 1983 | Au Nom de Tous les Miens | Martin Gray's grand-mother | |
| 1985 | The Peanut Butter Solution | Mary, the ghost in the Kitchen | |
| 1987 | Blue Monkey | Marwella Harbison | |
| 1987 | Night Friend | Nosy neighbour | |
| 1990 | The Amityville Curse | Mrs. Moriarty | |
| 1990 | Falling Over Backwards | Rose | |
| 1995 | Billy Madison | 2nd Grade Teacher | |
| 1995 | Tommy Boy | Boardroom Lady | |
| 1996 | Never Too Late | Eunice | |
| 1996 | Goosebumps | Grandma Rose | |
| 1999 | Storm of the Century | Roberta Coign | |
References
- "Helen Hughes". Canadian Theatre Encyclopedia.
- Maskoulis, Julia (November 11, 1977). "A woman on her own more than just a role". The Gazette. p. 29. Retrieved September 15, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Young Actress". Des Moines Tribune. May 26, 1938. p. 24. Retrieved September 15, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Helen Hughes plays busy mother in Centaur version of Murrell play". Calgary Herald. CP. February 1, 1980. p. C 4. Retrieved September 15, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- Chadbourne, Eugene (October 22, 1976). "They love acting, but it's the commercials that pay the rent". Calgary Herald. p. 47. Retrieved September 15, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Helen Hughes 1918-2018". magazine Performers. Archived from the original on 2019-12-12. Retrieved 2018-10-19.
- Brennan, Brian (April 1, 1980). "Actress Helen Hughes steals Lnchbox Theatre's latest show". Calgary Herald. p. D 13. Retrieved September 15, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
- "List of nominees for the Genie Awards". Montreal Gazette, February 14, 1989.