Hollywood is saying goodbye to one of its most familiar faces. Actress Helen Siff — who charmed audiences for decades with her quick wit and scene-stealing moments in both film and television — has died at 88.
Siff passed away Thursday in Los Angeles following complications from surgery related to a long illness, her family confirmed.
A staple of character acting for over 50 years, Siff brought warmth and humor to roles across classics like The Karate Kid, You Don’t Mess With the Zohan, and the Coen brothers’ Hail, Caesar!, where she shared the screen with George Clooney and Channing Tatum. On TV, she popped up everywhere — Lou Grant, Married… With Children, Will & Grace, Modern Family, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and dozens more.
Her family described her as “a talented performer who brought professionalism, dedication, and genuine kindness to every set,” adding that she “understood that every role, no matter how small, was an opportunity to make a story shine.”
Born in Woodmere, New York, Siff made her TV debut alongside her identical twin sister, Carol Infield Sender, in a memorable 1976 Subaru commercial. She went on to appear in hit films like Rocky, Earth Girls Are Easy, and City Slickers II, building a résumé that spanned genres and generations.
On stage, she was known for her comedic timing, originating the role of Helga in the 1993 off-Broadway hit Grandma Sylvia’s Funeral, and performing in productions of Lilies of the Field and Lost in Yonkers.
Siff is survived by her sisters Carol and Janet, her five children — Matt, Susie, Karen, Vicki, and Jenny — and seven grandchildren. Her husband of 41 years, Marshall, passed away in 2007, and her son Bruce preceded her in death in 1999.
“She had the rare gift of making even the smallest part unforgettable,” her family said — a fitting tribute for a woman whose legacy lives on in nearly every corner of Hollywood comedy and character work.
Blessings, prayers for the Family