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Katherine Helmond

Katherine Helmond

Actor · Died February 23, 2019, aged 89 · Galveston, Texas, USA

Katherine Marie Helmond (July 5, 1929 – February 23, 2019) was an American film, theater, and television actress, and director. Over her five decades of television acting, she was known for her starring role as ditzy matriarch Jessica Tate on the ABC prime time soap opera sitcom Soap (1977–1981) and her co-starring role as feisty mother Mona Robinson on Who's the Boss? (1984–1992). She also played Doris Sherman on Coach and Lois Whelan, the mother of Debra Barone, on Everybody Loves Raymond. She guest starred on a number of TV shows including True Blood, Strong Medicine, Providence, The Love Boat, The Bionic Woman (1976), The Six Million Dollar Man, The Bob New hart Show, Mannix, and Gunsmoke. She had supporting roles in films such as Alfred Hitchcock's Family Plot (1976), Terry Gilliam's Brazil (1985), and Overboard (1987). She also voiced Lizzie in the Cars trilogy by Disney/Pixar. Some info from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
July 5, 1929
Died
February 23, 2019 (aged 89)
From
Galveston, Texas, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
46 on MovieCove · 91 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 1% in 30 days

What are Katherine Helmond's films like?

Across their 24 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Drama9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 44th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Comedy6 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 54th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Biography3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 33rd percentile
: browse their Biography movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
29%
Self
23%
Survival
17%
Morality
12%
Power
10%
Society
10%
Family bonds8 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love5 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival5 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeFreedom3 titles, browse their movies with this themeComing of age3 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 21 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 15 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

A split, not a type: Gentle 6 · Charged 7 · Intense 8

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 8 · Shifting 10 · Whiplash 3

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 13 · Some laughs 6 · Funny 2

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 12 · Relentless 1

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

A split, not a type: Casual 11 · Engaged 9 · Full focus 1

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 9 · Affecting 4 · Heavy 8

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 16 · Open-ended 2 · Ambiguous 3

Roles they play

6 analyzed roles

Usually the Shapeshifter: 2 of 6 analyzed roles.

Shapeshifter
2 of 6
Ally
1 of 6
Hero
1 of 6
Threshold guardian
1 of 6
Trickster
1 of 6

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
12
Melancholic
10
Warm
10
Absurd
6
Dread
6
Other
19

How their films linger

Feel-good9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy10
  • Bittersweet5
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous8

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Katherine Helmond's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 34 of their 46 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Prime Video (16).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Katherine Helmond's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

91 credits, 46 with a MovieCove page; 4 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Frank and Ava(2018)

    as Betty

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Cars 3(2017)

    as Lizzie (voice)

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films

  • The Radiator Springs 500½ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Lizzie (voice)

  • Time Travel Mater (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Lizzie (voice)

  • Collaborator (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    as Irene Longfellow

  • Cars 2(2011)

    as Lizzie (voice)

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Harry's Law (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Gloria Gold

  • Pound Puppies(2010)

    Show 1 episode · as Mildred (voice)

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all shows

  • Cars Toon Mater's Tall Tales (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Lizzie (voice)

  • True Blood(2008)

    Show 1 episode · as Caroline Bellefleur

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • A Grandpa for Christmas(2007)

    as Roxie Famosa

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • Mater and the Ghostlight(2006)

    as Lizzie (voice)

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Cars(2006)

    as Lizzie (voice)

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Beethoven's 5th(2003)

    as Crazy Cora Wilkens

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Mr. St. Nick(2002)

    as Queen Carlotta

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Living in Fear(2001)

    as Mrs. Ford

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films

  • Strong Medicine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Show 1 episode · as Cicely Nordeco

  • How to Marry a Billionaire: A Christmas Tale(2000)

    as Shatzie

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • The Perfect Nanny(2000)

    as Mrs. McBride

    Midcredits score: 28th percentile of all films

  • Providence (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 2 episodes · as Rose Bidwell

  • The Wild Thornberrys(1998)

    Show 1 episode · as Dugong (voice)

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all shows

  • Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas(1998)

    as Desk Clerk at Mint Hotel

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Ms. Scrooge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Maude Marley

  • Everybody Loves Raymond(1996)

    Show 14 episodes · as Lois Whelan

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all shows

  • Liz: The Elizabeth Taylor Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Show 2 episodes · as Hedda Hopper

  • The Spy Within(1995)

    as Dr. Pamela Schilling

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Amore!(1993)

    as Mildred Schwartz

    Midcredits score: 5th percentile of all films

  • Inside Monkey Zetterland (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Honor Zetterland

  • Batman: The Animated Series(1992)

    Show 1 episode · as Connie (voice)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all shows

  • Grass Roots (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Emma Carr

  • Deception: A Mother’s Secret (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Geena Milner

  • The Perfect Tribute (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Farm Woman

  • When Will I Be Loved? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Barbara Patterson

  • The Upper Hand (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Madame Alexandra

  • Coach(1989)

    Show 22 episodes · as Doris Sherman

    Midcredits score: 53rd percentile of all shows

  • Lady in White(1988)

    as Amanda

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • Save the Dog! (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    Actor

  • Overboard(1987)

    as Edith Mintz

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Christmas Snow (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Mrs. Mutterance

  • Girls On Top (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Goldie

  • The Comedy Factory (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Mildred Deegan

  • Shadey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Lady Constance Landau

  • Brazil(1985)

    as Mrs. Ida Lowry

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Who's the Boss?(1984)

    Show 196 episodes · Director · as Mona Robinson

    Midcredits score: 39th percentile of all shows

  • Jack and the Beanstalk (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Jack's Mother

  • Rosie: The Rosemary Clooney Story(1982)

    as Frances Clooney

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • For Lovers Only (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Bea Winchell

  • Faerie Tale Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Jack's Mother

  • Cagney & Lacey(1981)

    Show 1 episode · as Mona Robinson

    Midcredits score: 43rd percentile of all shows

  • World War III (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 2 episodes · as Dorothy Longworth

  • Time Bandits(1981)

    as Mrs. Ogre

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Scout's Honor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Pearl Bartlett

  • Diary of a Teenage Hitchhiker(1979)

    as Elaine Thurston

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Benson(1979)

    Show 3 episodes · Director · as Jessica Tate

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all shows

  • $weepstake$ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Lynn

  • Pearl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 3 episodes · as Mrs. Sally Colto

  • Getting Married(1978)

    as Vera Lesser

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • The Love Boat(1977)

    Show 2 episodes · as Harriet Darnell Stevens · as Vivian Endler

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all shows

  • Soap(1977)

    Show 85 episodes · as Jessica Tate

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • Little Ladies of the Night(1977)

    as Miss Colby

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Meeting of Minds (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Liza’s Pioneer Diary (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Aunt Sara

  • Wanted: The Sundance Woman(1976)

    as Mattie Riley

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Spencer's Pilots (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Baby Blue Marine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Mrs. Hudkins

  • Family Plot(1976)

    as Mrs. Maloney

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • James Dean(1976)

    as Claire Folger

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • The Bionic Woman(1976)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 37th percentile of all shows

  • The Hindenburg(1975)

    as Mrs. Mildred Breslau

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Joe Forrester (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The First 36 Hours of Dr. Durant (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Nurse Katherine Gunther

  • Cage Without a Key(1975)

    as Mrs. Little

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • The Family Nobody Wanted (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Mrs. Bittner

  • The Legend of Lizzie Borden(1975)

    as Emma Borden

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman(1974)

    as Lady at House

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Locusts (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Claire Fletcher

  • Harry O (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Petrocelli (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Nancy Berwick

  • Larry (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Maureen Whitten

  • Dr. Max (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Libby Oppel

  • The Six Million Dollar Man(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Middy

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • The Snoop Sisters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Cissy Prine

  • Adam's Rib (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Martha Layne

  • Barnaby Jones(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Edna Morrison

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all shows

  • The Bob Newhart Show(1972)

    Show 1 episode · as Dr. Webster

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • The Rookies (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • The Hospital(1971)

    as Marilyn Mead

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Medical Center (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Rachel Weldman

  • Mannix(1967)

    Show 1 episode · as Martha Cole · as Mrs. Sylvia Jarrud

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Gunsmoke (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Ena Spratt

  • Wine of Morning (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Irene

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 91 titles from 1955 to 2018; peak year 2007.

Biggest box office

Overboard (1987)

$27M worldwide

Highest rated

Brazil (1985)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

Coach (1989)

Film career

19552018

Peak 2007 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 2 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting91 of 91: 89 only acting, 2 with another role · typical Midcredits score54thDirecting2 of 91: 0 only directing, 2 with another role

By decade

1950s2 · acting1960s2 · acting1970s35 · 35 acting · 1 crew1980s18 · 18 acting · 1 crew1990s15 · acting2000s11 · acting2010s8 · acting

Billing

usually 6th · top billed in 0% of 18 roles
718101

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Katherine Helmond's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 52nd percentile, the median of all 30; across their 21 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 45th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

45thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Approval · how many liked their films

44thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Reach · how many have seen their films

46thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 21

Midcredits score across 46 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up13
  • 50th to 74th14
  • 25th to 49th10
  • Below 25th9

Shape of the crowd

18 of their 46 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser18
  • Broadly Agreed3
  • Mixed17

Most divisive · actor

Frank and Ava (2018)

89th percentile spread · 63% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Brazil (1985)

Midcredits 97th · 84% liked

Reviewers score the acting 65/100 in their films, across 20 reviewed titles; fans 79, detractors 42. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Katherine Helmond's work okay for kids?

Across up to 8 MovieCove titles with content scores, frightening / intense runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore5 titles5–56 · median 41 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity8 titles21–41 · median 32 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity7 titles32–68 · median 42 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs4 titlesmedian 32 · mildMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense5 titles22–79 · median 67 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Katherine Helmond work with?

People who share at least 2 of Katherine Helmond's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Terry Gilliam shares the most, 2.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers