Character actress Helen Siff, 88, died on Dec. 18. Since the 1980s, Siff had been ubiquitous on TV, in movies, and commercials (sometimes with her twin sister, Carol). Her family posted, “Those who worked with Helen knew her not just as a talented performer, but as someone who brought professionalism, dedication and genuine kindness to every set. She understood that every role, no matter how large or small, was an opportunity to contribute something meaningful to the story being told.” Among her many credits are small or supporting roles in Lou Grant (why is that never rerun?), The Karate Kid, L.A. Law, Big Top Pee-wee, Earth Girls Are Easy (gawd I love Julie Brown), Knotts Landing, City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly's Gold, Scrubs, Will & Grace, My Name is Earl (again—never rerun!), You Don’t Mess with the Zohan, Hail, Caesar!, Mom, and Curb Your Enthusiasm. Siff had the kind of career I’d have liked had I stayed with acting: not famous (famous is awful!), but steadily working.
