---
name: "Katherine Helmond"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/katherine-helmond"
fi1m_id: "katherine-helmond"
imdb_id: "nm0001340"
tmdb_id: 381
wikidata_id: "Q179269"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "5 July 1929"
died: "23 February 2019"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 3
average_fi1m_score: 74
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 3
updated: "2026-10-04T17:23:50.314232+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Katherine Helmond

## Identity

Katherine Helmond

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/katherine-helmond
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** katherine-helmond
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001340
- **TMDB ID:** 381
- **Wikidata ID:** Q179269
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katherine_Helmond, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q179269, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001340/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/381

Actor. Born 5 July 1929 in Galveston, Texas, USA. Died 23 February 2019.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 5 July 1929, Galveston, Texas, USA
- **Died:** 23 February 2019
- **Active:** 1975–2017
- **Also known as:** Katherine Marie Helmond, کاترین هلموند
- **Golden Globes:** 2 Golden Globes (2 won · 3 nominated)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 74, as actor, over 3 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 82 (2), 2010s 58 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 74 to 72 across 3 titles
- **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 0 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 1 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Adventure 2, Comedy 2, Family 2, Science Fiction 2, Animation 1, Drama 1
- **Screen time:** 6 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $436m across 3 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katherine_Helmond, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q179269, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001340/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/381

## Fi1m on Katherine Helmond

> Katherine Helmond made eccentric women seem quite at home with themselves. We rate the precise comedy of her sitcom matriarchs and her work with Terry Gilliam, while wishing the familiar casting as an odd mother had left her more to do.

In *Brazil* (1985), Katherine Helmond's Mrs. Ida Lowry is a mother obsessed with plastic surgery. Helmond plays Ida as quite certain that her vanity needs no explaining. We found the obsession funny and uncomfortable because she makes such extreme behaviour seem ordinary. Her childlike quality is useful here: it gives the grotesque character a conviction that a more knowing performance might have lost. She fits Terry Gilliam's elaborate absurdities without disappearing into them.

*Soap* (1977–1981) gave her the breakthrough role of Jessica Tate; *Who's the Boss?* (1984–1992) followed with Mona Robinson, a liberated grandmother. These sitcoms gave her sustained work as a comic matriarch, with room for the precise timing she brought from the stage. She was often cast as ditzy or bawdy women, but eccentricity alone is not what we value. There is care in the way she plays flightiness, and the childlike quality stops foolishness from becoming merely tiresome.

Gilliam found a stranger use for those qualities, beginning with Mrs. Ogre in *Time Bandits* (1981), the first of their three collaborations. His exaggerated supporting parts gave Helmond opportunities for grotesquerie and physical transformation beyond the sitcom mother. *Brazil* makes particularly good use of that possibility, setting Ida's vanity within a bureaucratic nightmare whose detail makes its cruelty difficult to dismiss. The film's storytelling loses shape, and we would not pretend a well-played supporting character can repair that. Helmond does, however, give us a recognisable human obsession amid the elaborate machinery.

The reservation about her work is how often she was asked to be another eccentric mother. Familiar casting can mean we know what sort of joke is coming before the character speaks. We enjoy the comic assurance, but would have welcomed more opportunities to see what else she might do. We would start with *Brazil*; allow for some untidy storytelling.

## Biography

Katherine Helmond was an American actress and director. Born in Galveston, Texas, she began her career in theatre, working in New York during the 1950s and 1960s, and received a Tony Award nomination for her Broadway performance in *The Great God Brown* (1973).

She became best known for her television roles as Jessica Tate in the sitcom *Soap* (1977–1981) and as Mona Robinson in *Who's the Boss?* (1984–1992). Other notable television work included recurring appearances as Lois Whelan in *Everybody Loves Raymond* (1996–2004) and Doris Sherman in *Coach* (1995–1997). She also voiced Lizzie in the *Cars* film trilogy (2006–2017).

In film, Helmond appeared in *Family Plot* (1976), *Time Bandits* (1981), *Brazil* (1985) as Mrs. Ida Lowry, *Overboard* (1987) and *Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas* (1998). She directed several television episodes and died in Los Angeles in 2019.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, nytimes.com.*

## On Fi1m (3)

- *Cars 3* (2017), Fi1m 58, as Lizzie (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/cars-3.md)
- *Brazil* (1985), Fi1m 83, as Mrs. Ida Lowry — [page](https://film.one/film/brazil.md)
- *Time Bandits* (1981), Fi1m 80, as Mrs. Ogre — [page](https://film.one/film/time-bandits.md)

## Complete filmography (91)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Frank and Ava* (2018), as Betty
- *Cars 3* (2017), as Lizzie (voice) — Fi1m 58, [page](https://film.one/film/cars-3.md)
- *The Radiator Springs 500½* (2014), as Lizzie (voice)
- *Time Travel Mater* (2012), as Lizzie (voice)
- *Collaborator* (2011), as Irene Longfellow
- *Cars 2* (2011), as Lizzie (voice)
- *Harry's Law* (2011), series, as Gloria Gold
- *Pound Puppies* (2010), series, as Mildred (voice)
- *Cars Toon Mater's Tall Tales* (2008), as Lizzie (voice)
- *True Blood* (2008), series, as Caroline Bellefleur — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/tv/true-blood.md)
- *A Grandpa for Christmas* (2007), as Roxie Famosa
- *Mater and the Ghostlight* (2006), as Lizzie (voice)
- *Cars* (2006), as Lizzie (voice)
- *Beethoven's 5th* (2003), as Crazy Cora Wilkens
- *Mr. St. Nick* (2002), as Queen Carlotta
- *Living in Fear* (2000), as Mrs. Ford
- *Strong Medicine* (2000), series, as Cicely Nordeco
- *How to Marry a Billionaire: A Christmas Tale* (2000), as Shatzie
- *The Perfect Nanny* (2000), as Mrs. McBride
- *Providence* (1999), series, as Rose Bidwell
- *The Wild Thornberrys* (1998), series, as Dugong (voice)
- *Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas* (1998), as Desk Clerk at Mint Hotel
- *Ms. Scrooge* (1997), as Maude Marley
- *Everybody Loves Raymond* (1996), series, as Lois Whelan
- *Liz: The Elizabeth Taylor Story* (1995), series, as Hedda Hopper
- *The Spy Within* (1994), as Dr. Pamela Schilling
- *Amore!* (1993), as Mildred Schwartz
- *Inside Monkey Zetterland* (1992), as Honor Zetterland
- *Batman: The Animated Series* (1992), series, as Connie (voice)
- *Grass Roots* (1992), as Emma Carr
- *Deception: A Mother’s Secret* (1991), as Geena Milner
- *The Perfect Tribute* (1991), as Farm Woman
- *When Will I Be Loved?* (1990), as Barbara Patterson
- *The Upper Hand* (1990), series, as Madame Alexandra
- *Coach* (1989), series, as Doris Sherman
- *Lady in White* (1988), as Amanda
- *Save the Dog!* (1988), Actor
- *Overboard* (1987), as Edith Mintz
- *Christmas Snow* (1986), as Mrs. Mutterance
- *Girls On Top* (1985), series, as Goldie
- *The Comedy Factory* (1985), series, as Mildred Deegan
- *Shadey* (1985), as Lady Constance Landau
- *Brazil* (1985), as Mrs. Ida Lowry — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/brazil.md)
- *Who's the Boss?* (1984), series, as Mona Robinson · Director
- *Jack and the Beanstalk* (1983), as Jack's Mother
- *Rosie: The Rosemary Clooney Story* (1982), as Frances Clooney
- *For Lovers Only* (1982), as Bea Winchell
- *Faerie Tale Theatre* (1982), series, as Jack's Mother
- *Cagney & Lacey* (1982), series, as Mona Robinson — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/cagney-and-lacey.md)
- *World War III* (1982), series, as Dorothy Longworth
- *Time Bandits* (1981), as Mrs. Ogre — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/time-bandits.md)
- *Scout's Honor* (1980), as Pearl Bartlett
- *Diary of a Teenage Hitchhiker* (1979), as Elaine Thurston
- *Benson* (1979), series, as Jessica Tate · Director
- *$weepstake$* (1979), series, as Lynn
- *Pearl* (1978), series, as Mrs. Sally Colto
- *Getting Married* (1978), as Vera Lesser
- *The Love Boat* (1977), series, as Harriet Darnell Stevens, Vivian Endler
- *Soap* (1977), series, as Jessica Tate
- *Little Ladies of the Night* (1977), as Miss Colby
- *Meeting of Minds* (1977), series, Actor
- *Liza’s Pioneer Diary* (1976), as Aunt Sara
- *Wanted: The Sundance Woman* (1976), as Mattie Riley
- *Spencer's Pilots* (1976), series, Actor
- *Baby Blue Marine* (1976), as Mrs. Hudkins
- *Family Plot* (1976), as Mrs. Maloney
- *James Dean* (1976), as Claire Folger
- *The Bionic Woman* (1976), series, Actor
- *The Hindenburg* (1975), as Mrs. Mildred Breslau
- *Joe Forrester* (1975), series, Actor
- *The First 36 Hours of Dr. Durant* (1975), as Nurse Katherine Gunther
- *Cage Without a Key* (1975), as Mrs. Little
- *The Family Nobody Wanted* (1975), as Mrs. Bittner
- *The Legend of Lizzie Borden* (1975), as Emma Borden
- *The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman* (1974), as Lady at House
- *Locusts* (1974), as Claire Fletcher
- *Harry O* (1974), series, Actor
- *Petrocelli* (1974), series, as Nancy Berwick
- *Larry* (1974), as Maureen Whitten
- *Dr. Max* (1974), as Libby Oppel
- *The Six Million Dollar Man* (1974), series, as Middy
- *The Snoop Sisters* (1973), series, as Cissy Prine
- *Adam's Rib* (1973), series, as Martha Layne
- *Barnaby Jones* (1973), series, as Edna Morrison
- *The Bob Newhart Show* (1972), series, as Dr. Webster
- *The Rookies* (1972), series, Actor
- *The Hospital* (1971), as Marilyn Mead
- *Medical Center* (1969), series, as Rachel Weldman
- *Mannix* (1967), series, as Mrs. Sylvia Jarrud, Martha Cole
- *Gunsmoke* (1955), series, as Ena Spratt
- *Wine of Morning* (1955), as Irene

## Gallery

- ![Photo from the made for television film The Legend of Lizzie Borden. In this scene, the women of Fall River, Massachusetts are publicly supporting Lizzie during (1975)](https://film.one/media/person/118300/gallery-49c11527b701.jpg) Photo from the made for television film The Legend of Lizzie Borden. In this scene, the women of Fall River, Massachusetts are publicly supporting Lizzie during (1975) — Paramount Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/Elizabeth_Montgomery_Katherine_Helmond_Legend_of_Lizzie_Borden_2.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Katherine Helmond](https://film.one/media/person/118300/gallery-db35c058b839.jpg) Katherine Helmond — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c1/Katherine_Helmond.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Photo of Katherine Helmond at the premiere of Seems Like Old Times. (1980)](https://film.one/media/person/118300/gallery-10408edeb9f4.jpg) Photo of Katherine Helmond at the premiere of Seems Like Old Times. (1980) — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/Katherine_Helmond_%281980%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![1989 Emmy Awards NOTE: Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post any of my photos, but please credit "photo by Alan Light" if you can. Thanks. Scan](https://film.one/media/person/118300/gallery-aa911bd274d3.jpg) 1989 Emmy Awards NOTE: Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post any of my photos, but please credit "photo by Alan Light" if you can. Thanks. Scan — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f2/Katherine_Helmond_%282086161941%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Katherine Helmond](https://film.one/media/person/118300/gallery-5cc4c7a4b38c.jpg) Katherine Helmond — Image via TMDB
- ![Katherine Helmond](https://film.one/media/person/118300/gallery-0df506279fef.jpg) Katherine Helmond — Image via TMDB
- ![1989 Emmy Awards NOTE: Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post any of my photos, but please credit "photo by Alan Light" if you can. Thanks. Scan](https://film.one/media/person/118300/gallery-958a93939414.jpg) 1989 Emmy Awards NOTE: Permission granted to copy, publish, broadcast or post any of my photos, but please credit "photo by Alan Light" if you can. Thanks. Scan — Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/42/Katherine_Helmond_%282086963956%29.jpg/1280px-Katherine_Helmond_%282086963956%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

## Awards

### Golden Globes — 2 won, 3 nominated

- 1989: Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film (won), for *Who's the Boss?*
- 1989: Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film (nominated)
- 1986: Best Actress – Miniseries or Television Film (nominated)
- 1981: Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy (won), for *Soap*
- 1980: Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy (nominated)

### Other awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play 1973: Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play (nominated)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/katherine-helmond