Helen Siff, Character Actress With Five-Decade Career, Dies at 88
Helen Siff, Veteran Character Actress, Dies at 88
Veteran character actress Helen Siff has died at the age of 88, her family confirmed. Siff passed away on December 18, 2025, in Los Angeles due to complications following surgery related to a long, painful illness, ending a prolific career that spanned more than 50 years in film, television, and stage. Born in Woodmere, New York , in 1937 , Siff became known as a familiar and reliable presence on screen, with over 70 credited roles bringing memorable life to even small parts. Her early work included television appearances, with her first on-screen credit in the drama Lou Grant in the early 1980s. Siff’s film career featured roles in classics and cult favorites such as The Karate Kid , Earth Girls Are Easy , City Slickers II , You Don’t Mess With the Zohan , and the Coen brothers’ Hail, Caesar! . On television, she appeared in an array of beloved series across genres, including Will & Grace , Modern Family , Married… With Children , Scrubs , Curb Your Enthusiasm , and many more. In addition t…
