Helen Hughes (January 8, 1918 – April 3, 2018) was an American-Canadian actress who has worked in theatre, television, and film.Lentz, Harris M. (2018). Obituaries in the Performing Arts, 2018. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 177. .
Biography Born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Hughes did some acting while attending college; however, her undergraduate degree (from Indiana State Teacher's College, class of 1940"State Music Federation in Session Here; All Records for Attendance Broken at Indiana Meet; Merit Program; Compositions and Awards Lead to Deserved Applause". The Indiana Gazette. April 22, 1937. p. 1. Retrieved September 13, 2024. "Miss Helen Hughes, soprano, a student in the art department of Indiana State Teachers College, was soloist [...] Miss Hughes is a member of the Quill Club and a member of the cast of the commencement play, and just a freshman—a young artist with a future.""Graduation Ends Commencement at Local College; Philadelphia School Head Makes Address to Senior Class; Graduation" (Continued from page one). The Indiana Gazette. The Indiana Gazette. May 27, 1940. pp. 1, 3. Retrieved September 13, 2024. "Miss Helen Hughes, Class of 1940, gave two vocal selections, accompanied by Miss Rhea McAnulty.") and her graduate study (at Penn State) were both focused on art education.
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. A contributing factor in the decision was that her marriage had broken up. With her children grown, she felt free to make a change.
Hughes 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.
In 1980, Hughes starred in The 75th at the Lunchbox Theatre. in Alberta, Canada.
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."List of nominees for the Genie Awards". Montreal Gazette, February 14, 1989.
Hughes also made TV commercials for American Express, Anacin, and one for Heinz ketchup that ran for about three years.
Death On April 3, 2018, Hughes died in Toronto, Ontario, at age 100 of natural causes.
Selected filmography Year Title Role Notes1977 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 1988 Mama's Going to Buy You a Mockingbird Mrs. Mandel1990 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 1996 Night of the Twisters Grandma Belle "Zephyr" Hatch 1999 Storm of the Century Roberta Coign
References
External links Helen Hughes works