Wendy Anne "Wendel" Meldrum (July 21, 1954 – January 27, 2021) was a Canadian actress best known for her roles as the "low talker" in the 1993 Seinfeld episode "The Puffy Shirt", and as Miss White/Mrs. Heimer on The Wonder Years.
She guest starred in several television series and appeared in a number of feature films and television movies. Her films include Beautiful Dreamers (1990), Why Me? (1990), Diplomatic Immunity (1991) and The Divine Ryans (1999). She wrote the screenplay for the 2005 independent film Cruel But Necessary. She also played the starring role of Betty Munson alongside her real life ex-husband Mark Humphrey and their son Luke Humphrey.Gudrun Will, "Cruel intentions produce necessary result". Vancouver Courier, October 5, 2007.
Meldrum received multiple nominations and awards for her performance as Anne Blecher in the Canadian television comedy-drama series Less Than Kind, which finished its four-season run on HBO Canada in 2013.
On November 19, 2014, Meldrum appeared on Ken Reid's TV Guidance Counselor podcast. She died after a short illness on January 27, 2021.Wendy Meldrum obituary
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes1984VampingRita1990Why Me?Gatou Vardebedian1990Beautiful DreamersJessie Bucke1991Diplomatic ImmunityKim Dades1999Blast from the PastRuth1999Linda Ryan2003 A Mighty WindWitch #12005Cruel but NecessaryBetty Munson2005Partner(s)Sandy2010Queen of the LotKylie
Television Year Title Role Notes1984–85Knots LandingP.K. Kelly8 episodes1985Punky BrewsterHeather"Play It Again, Punky"1985American PlayhouseShelby Dischinger Everson"Breakfast with Les and Bess"1985StarkLaura StarkTV film1986Cagney & LaceySusan"Post Partum"1986Dallas: The Early YearsHoneyTV film1987Family TiesKathy Brady"O'Brother: Parts 1 & 2"1987I Married DoraJanet Farrell"I Married Dora"1987–88Pursuit of HappinessMargaret CallahanMain role1988–91Miss White / Mrs. HeimerRecurring role1989Day by DayCarol Gilbert"Father Knows Best"1990E.N.G.Jaz Taylor"The Dancer and the Dance"1992Northern ExposureAmy Lochner"Nothing's Perfect"1992City BoyOlivia PollardTV film1993Picket FencesWendy Hill"Sightings"1993; 1998SeinfeldLeslie / Low-Talker"The Puffy Shirt" and "The Finale"1994Hush Little BabySusan NolanTV film1994Due SouthLeann Brighton"Pilot"1994SodbustersLilac GentryTV film1994–95Side EffectsElisabeth Mercer"Worth It", "Heart Choices", "The Great Lutz"1995Veronica Cole"Hitwoman"1995Pig StyDr. James"The Ghost and Mr. Evans"1995MonaTV film1995Emily Daniels"Father Image: Parts 1 & 2"1996Dr. Lizabeth Drake"Not Even a Mouse"1997Promised LandEllen"The Getaway"1997Dad's Week OffLewTV film1997Melanie DarrowDianeTV film1998Murder at 75 BirchPat TodsonTV film1999Renee Stuyvescent"Donor"2000First WaveAnn Berman"Wednesday's Child"2001Strong MedicineEleanor Vogel"Complications"2001NYPD BlueLucy Gullickson"Baby Love"2003BlissDr. Andrea Gibson"Cat Got Your Tongue"2008–2012Less Than KindAnne BlecherMain role2012Linda JordanTV film2014Saving HopeMimi"Twinned Lambs"2014Working the EngelsLittle Wanda"Jenna vs. Big Pastry Part II"
Awards and nominations Year Association Category Nominated work Result Ref.2007Winnipeg International Film FestivalOutstanding Actress in a Female RoleCruel but NecessaryInternet Movie Database; retrieved August 1, 20102009Canadian Comedy AwardsBest Performance by a Female - TelevisionLess Than Kind2009Canadian Comedy AwardsBest Performance by an Ensemble - TelevisionLess Than KindAward shared with Benjamin Arthur, Jesse Camacho, Maury Chaykin and Nancy Sorel2010Canadian Comedy AwardsBest Performance by a Female - TelevisionLess Than Kind2010Canadian Comedy AwardsBest Performance by an Ensemble - TelevisionLess Than KindNomination shared with Benjamin Arthur, Jesse Camacho, Maury Chaykin, Brooke Palsson and Nancy Sorel Canadian Comedy Awards & Festival nominees, retrieved August 1, 2010
References
External links Official Wendel Meldrum Site
Film Reference biography Brain Driving, a humorous film short featuring Meldrum as "Miss Olga Suchadolsky" Notes from the Undercarriage, a graphic novel by Meldrum as Fern Poppy