Francesca Marie Smith (born March 26, 1985) is an American actress known for voicing Helga Pataki on the Nickelodeon animated television series Hey Arnold!. She is also known for voicing multiple characters on Disney's Recess, most notably as Ashley B. and Swinger Girl, among others.
Personal life Smith studied at Pepperdine University, graduating in 2008. Retrieved November 16, 2017 She obtained a Ph.D. from USC Annenberg in 2021. Retrieved December 25, 2022
On March 27, 2019, Smith stated that she had been diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis via Twitter (now X).
On April 12, 2024, Smith was admitted to the Keck Hospital as a result of a major relapse effect of MS (similar to a stroke) and stated that she was unable to walk, speak and even eat solid foods for three weeks, while also having trouble breathing. Thus, she set up a fundraiser called *FrancescaAndHerMSJourney to help her recovery.
Filmography Television Year Title Role Notes 1991 Parker Lewis Can't Lose Elaine Leffler Episode: "Boy Meets Girl" 1992 In Sickness and in Health Kid #1 Television film 1994 Blossom Lizzy Martin Episode: "Dirty Rotten Scoundrel" 1994–1996 Itsy Bitsy Spider Leslie McGroarty (voice) 26 episodes 1994 Beethoven Emily Newton (voice) 13 episodes 1995 Daisy-Head Mayzie Mayzie McGrew (voice) Television special A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information. Here Come the Munsters Monique Television film The Drew Carey Show Monica Episode: "Lewis's Sister" 1996 Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher Ursula Episode: "Hot for Teacher" 1996–1998 The Secret World of Alex Mack Jenny, Pipe Victims Sister 3 episodes 1996–2004 Hey Arnold! Helga Pataki, Sheena, Campfire Lass, Various voices (voice) 86 episodes 1997 Knots Landing: Back to the Cul-de-Sac Meg MacKenzie Miniseries Pepper Ann Damiana (voice) Episode: "Thanksgiving Dad" 1997–2001 Recess Ashley B., Swinger Girl, Upside-Down Girl (voice) 14 episodes 1998 101 Dalmatians: The Series Amber (voice) Episode: "Beauty Pageant Pandemonium" The New Batman Adventures Annie (voice) Episode: "Growing Pains" 1999 Two of a Kind Gabrielle Episode: "Kevin Burke's Day Off" 2000–2002 The Amanda Show Various 3 episodes 2001 Lloyd in Space Additional voices Episode: "Caution: Wormhole!" 2002 The Zeta Project Transita (voice) Episode: "Ro's Gift" 2003 Fillmore! Penny Madrid (voice) Episode: "Immune to All But Justice" 2017 Hey Arnold!: The Jungle Movie Helga Pataki (voice) Television film 2018 Subway Surfers: The Series N/A Writer
Film Year Title Role Notes 1998 A Bug's Life - Additional voices & Ephorah The Prince of Egypt 2001 Recess: School's Out Ashley B., Swinger Girl, Upside-Down Girl (voice) Recess Christmas: Miracle on Third Street Ashley B. (voice) Direct-to-video 2002 Hey Arnold!: The Movie Helga Pataki (voice) 2003 Recess: Taking the Fifth Grade Ashley B., Swinger Girl, Upside Down Girl (voice) Direct-to-video Recess: All Growed Down Upside-Down Girl (voice)
Video games Year Title Role Notes2000 Nicktoons Racing Helga Pataki Archival recordings2021 Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl Voiceover added in the June 2022 update2022 Nickelodeon Extreme Tennis Nickelodeon Kart Racers 3: Slime Speedway
Awards and nominations In 1998, Smith won the award for Best Performance in a Voice-Over – TV or Film: Young Actress at the 19th Youth in Film Awards for her role on Hey Arnold!. She was nominated for Best Youth Actress in a Voice-Over Role: TV or Movie at the 15th Youth in Film Awards for Itsy Bitsy Spider and for Best Performance in a TV Drama Series: Guest Starring Young Actress at the 18th Youth in Film Awards for her role on The Secret World of Alex Mack. In 2001, Smith was nominated for Best Performance in a Voice-Over: TV/Film/Video – Young Actress at the 22nd Young Artist Awards for her role on Hey Arnold!.
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