Helen Siff (June 2, 1937 – December 18, 2025) was an American character actress. She was known for roles in numerous films including The Karate Kid (1984), You Don't Mess with the Zohan (2008), and Hail, Caesar! (2016). "Throughout her career, she worked alongside Hollywood stars including Elizabeth Taylor, James Caan, George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Sylvester Stallone and Billy Crystal, and directors Steven Spielberg, Michael Mann, Jerry Zucker, John G. Avildsen, Joel and Ethan Coen and Barry Levinson." She was born in Woodmere, New York, on June 2, 1937. She died from complications of surgery in Los Angeles on December 18, 2025, at the age of 88.
Filmography
Film YearTitleRoleNotes1982White DogPound Operator1984The Karate KidCashier1988For KeepsLandladyBig Top Pee-weeRuthEarth Girls Are EasyMamie1994City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's GoldSlushing Lady2006The LostJane Pye2008You Don't Mess with the ZohanMrs. Skitzer2011Helen: A Great Old BroadHelen McNielsonShort film2014Ron and Laura Take Back AmericaProtestor2016Hail, Caesar!Malibu Maid2021The Disappearance of Mrs. WuAlice Marks
Television YearTitleRoleNotes1981Lou GrantWaitressEpisode: "Catch"Murder in TexasMarian TimmonsTV film1985I Dream of Jeannie... Fifteen Years LaterMillieTV film1986Silver SpoonsNurseEpisode: "One for the Road: Part 2"There Must Be a PonyWoman at AirportTV filmL.A. LawMrs. BrantleyEpisode: "Slum Enchanted Evening"1987Highway to HeavenWomanEpisode: "I Was a Middle Aged Werewolf"1988Simon & SimonLaura DuxberryEpisode: "Simon & Simon and Associates"1989Doogie Howser, M.D.Admitting ClerkEpisode: "A Stitch Called Wanda"Knots LandingMiss. FliderEpisode: "What a Swell Party This Is"1994EllenSharonEpisode: "The Note"1995Night Stand with Dick DietrickBeverlyEpisode: "It's My Body and I'll Cry If I Want To"1997Sister, SisterRoseEpisode: "Little Man Date"1998Beyond Belief: Fact or FictionMary HigginsEpisode: "Rock & Roll Ears/The Bucket/The Bridesmaid/Voice from the Grave/The Chess Game"Mad About YouFemale TeacherEpisode: "Paul Slips in the Shower"FelicityFood Service EmployeeEpisode: "Cheating"1999Dharma & GregFrancesEpisode: "I Did It for You, Kitty"2000That's Life2nd Older ClientEpisode: "When Good Ideas Go Bad"2001Spin CityWoman on TVEpisode: "The Apartment"2002ScrubsFemale PatientEpisode: "My Way or the Highway"TakenMavis ErenbergEpisode: "Jacob and Jesse"2003Will & GraceJosieEpisode: "Fagmalion Part 4: The Guy Who Loved Me"2006My Name Is EarlWaitressEpisode: "Stole a Badge"2011EagleheartBrett's MotherEpisode: "Creeps"2015Modern FamilyTravelerEpisode: "Connection Lost"Gigi Does ItDebi MazarEpisode: "Eat Something"2018S.W.A.T.ShirleyEpisode: "Crews"2021Curb Your EnthusiasmWeinblatt's MotherEpisode: "The Mormon Advantage"2022Good TroubleOlder WomanEpisode: "Baby, Just Say 'Yes'"2023High DesertSaloon WaitressEpisode: "Pain Management"
References
External links