Hunt, Helen 1963–

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HUNT, Helen 1963–

PERSONAL

Full name, Helen Elizabeth Hunt; born June 15, 1963, in Los Angeles (some sources cite Culver City), CA; daughter of Gordon (an acting coach and director) and Jane (a photographer) Hunt; niece of Peter Hunt (a director); married Hank Azaria (an actor), July 17, 1999 (divorced); children: Makena'lei Gordon Carnahan (with Matthew Carnahan, a director, producer, and writer). Education: Attended University of California, Los Angeles, 1982; studied acting with Gordon Hunt and Lurene Tuttle. Avocational Interests: Painting, dancing, yoga.

Addresses: Office— Hunt/Tavel Productions, 9171 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 406, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. Agent— Brian Lourd, Creative Artists Agency, 9830 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90212. Manager— Connie Tavel, Tavel Entertainment, 9171 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 406, Beverly Hills, CA 90210. Publicist— Steven Huvane, PMK/HBH Public Relations, 8500 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 700, Beverly Hills, CA 90211.

Career: Actress, director, producer, and writer. Hunt/Tavel Productions, Beverly Hills, CA, partner. Appeared in print commercials for Sensa Pens and affiliated with the Healing Hands Project; also appeared in "The More You Know," a series of public service announcements broadcast by NBC.

Awards, Honors: Emmy Award nominations, 1993, 1994, 1995, and Emmy awards, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, all outstanding lead actress in a comedy series, Golden Globe Award nominations, 1993, 1996, 1998, and Golden Globe awards, 1994, 1995, 1997, all best actress in a comedy or musical television series, Q awards, Viewers for Quality Television, 1994, 1996, 1997, and Q Award nomination, 1998, all best actress in a quality comedy series, American Comedy awards, 1994, 1995, 1996, and American Comedy Award nomination, 1999, all funniest leading female performer in a television series, Actor Award, outstanding performance by an actress in a comedy series, 1994, Screen Actors Guild Award, 1995, and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations, 1996, 1997, 1998, all outstanding performance by a female actor in a comedy series, Emmy Award nomination (with others), outstanding comedy series, 1997, Golden Satellite Award nominations, International Press Academy, best actress in a comedy or musical television series, 1997, 1998, and 1999, Screen Actors Guild Award nominations (with others), outstanding performance by an ensemble in a comedy series, 1997, 1998, TV Guide Award nomination, favorite actress in a comedy, 1999, and Blockbuster Entertainment Award, favorite actress on a video release, 1999, all for Mad about You; Blockbuster Entertainment Award, favorite actress—action/adventure, and MTV Movie Award nomination, best female performance, both 1997, for Twister; Actor Award, outstanding performance by a leading actress, 1997, Academy Award, best actress, Golden Globe Award, best performance by an actress in a motion picture comedy or musical, Screen Actors Guild Award, outstanding performance by a female actor in a leading role, Golden Satellite Award, best actress in a motion picture comedy or musical, American Comedy Award, funniest leading actress in a motion picture, Florida Film Critics Circle Award, best actress, MTV Movie Award nomination, best female performance, all 1998, and Blockbuster Entertainment Award, favorite actress in a video release, 1999, all for As Good as It Gets; ShoWest Award, National Association of Theatre Owners, actress of the year, 1998; People's Choice Award, favorite female television performer, 1999; Blockbuster Entertainment Award, favorite actress—comedy/romance, 2001, for What Women Want; Blockbuster Entertainment Award, favorite supporting actress—drama, and MTV Movie Award nomination (with Tom Hanks), best kiss, both 2001, for Cast Away; Blockbuster Entertainment Award nomination, favorite actress—drama/romance, 2001, for Pay It Forward.

CREDITS

Television Appearances; Series:

Jill Prentiss, Amy Prentiss, NBC, 1974–1975.

Helga Wagner (some sources cite Helga Robinson), The Swiss Family Robinson (also known as Island of Adventure ), ABC, 1975–1976.

Kerry Gerardi, The Fitzpatricks, CBS, 1977–1978.

Lisa Quinn, It Takes Two, ABC, 1982–1983.

Clancy Williams, St. Elsewhere, NBC, between 1984 and 1986.

Voice, The Adventures of Don Coyote and Sancho Panda (animated), syndicated, 1990–1991.

Rebecca Miller, My Life and Times, ABC, 1991.

Jamie Eunice Stemple Buchman, Mad about You (also known as Loved by You ), NBC, 1992–1999.

Television Appearances; Miniseries:

Voice of Abbie Bright, The Wild West, syndicated, 1993.

Television Appearances; Movies:

Sarah Sergeant, Pioneer Woman (also known as Pioneers ), ABC, 1973.

Susan Lindsay, All Together Now, ABC, 1975.

Teila Rodriguez, Death Scream (also known as Homicide, Streetkill, and The Woman Who Cried Murder ), ABC, 1975.

Kristina Matchett, The Spell, NBC, 1977.

Janice Hurley, Transplant, CBS, 1979.

Kathy Miller, The Miracle of Kathy Miller, CBS, 1981.

Lizzie Eaton, Angel Dusted (also known as Angel Dust ), NBC, 1981.

Naomi, Child Bride of Short Creek, NBC, 1981.

The Best Little Girl in the World, 1981.

Sandy Cameron, Desperate Lives, CBS, 1982.

Jenny Wells, Bill: On His Own, CBS, 1983.

Kathy, Choices of the Heart (also known as In December the Roses Will Bloom Again ), NBC, 1983.

Tami Maida, Quarterback Princess, CBS, 1983.

Debbie Markham, Sweet Revenge (also known as Bittersweet Revenge, Code of Honor, and Her Revenge ), CBS, 1984.

Tracey Dryer, Shooter, NBC, 1988.

Jessie McCandless, Incident at Dark River (also known as Dark River—A Father's Revenge ), 1989.

Blossom, Into the Badlands, USA Network, 1991.

Pamela Wojas Smart, Murder in New Hampshire: The Pamela Wojas Smart Story, CBS, 1991.

Gina Pulasky, In the Company of Darkness, CBS, 1993.

Janine Roby, Empire Falls, HBO, 2004.

Television Appearances; Specials:

Phoebe, "I Think I'm Having a Baby," CBS Schoolbreak Specials, CBS, 1981.

ABC team contestant, Battle of the Network Stars XIII, ABC, 1982.

"Weekend," American Playhouse, PBS, 1982.

Mary Austin, "Land of Little Rain," American Playhouse, PBS, 1988.

Rene, Sexual Healing, Showtime, 1993.

Host, Christmas in Washington, NBC, 1994.

Star Trek: 30 Years and Beyond, UPN, 1996.

Herself, Getting the Goods on "As Good as It Gets, " 1997.

Voices of Hope … Finding the Cures for Breast and Ovarian Cancer, Lifetime, 1997.

Viola/Cesario, William Shakespeare's Twelfth Night (also known as Twelfth Night and Twelfth Night, or What You Will ), PBS, 1998.

Herself, NBC 75th Anniversary Special (also known as NBC 75th Anniversary Celebration ), NBC, 2002.

Television Appearances; Awards Presentations:

Presenter, The 45th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, ABC, 1993.

Presenter, The Ninth Annual Soap Opera Awards, NBC, 1993.

Presenter, The 46th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, ABC, 1994.

Presenter, Screen Actors Guild Awards, NBC, 1995.

Herself, Blockbuster Entertainment Awards, UPN, 1997.

Presenter, The 69th Annual Academy Awards, ABC, 1997.

Herself, The 70th Annual Academy Awards, ABC, 1998.

Presenter, The 50th Emmy Awards, NBC, 1998.

Presenter, The 52nd Annual Tony Awards, CBS, 1998.

The 12th Annual American Comedy Awards, Fox, 1998.

Presenter, The Fifth Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, TNT, 1999.

Presenter, The 51st Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, Fox, 1999.

Presenter, The 71st Annual Academy Awards Presentation, ABC, 1999.

2000 Blockbuster Entertainment Awards, Fox, 2000.

Presenter, The 27th Annual People's Choice Awards, CBS, 2001.

The Seventh Annual Blockbuster Entertainment Awards, Fox, 2001.

Herself, AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Tom Hanks, USA Network, 2002.

Presenter, The 74th Annual Academy Awards, ABC, 2002.

Television Appearances; Episodic:

Diana, "Omega," Ark II, CBS, 1976.

Robin Trask, "Such Sweet Sorrow," Family, ABC, 1976.

Laurie Slaughter, "Murray Ghosts for Ted," The Mary Tyler Moore Show (also known as Mary Tyler Moore ), CBS, 1977.

Princess Aura, "Sanctuary Earth," The Bionic Woman, NBC, 1978.

Betsy, "Hitchhiker: Part 2," Knots Landing, CBS, 1980.

Emily, "Dope," Facts of Life, NBC, 1980.

"Daylight Serenade," Family, ABC, 1980.

"Hard Times," Family, ABC, 1980.

Brenda, "Breach of Faith," Knots Landing, CBS, 1981.

Brenda, "Step One" (also known as "Husbands and Lovers"), Knots Landing, CBS, 1981.

Lisa Quinn, The Two of Us, CBS, 1981.

Nancy Lawrence, "The Bogeyman Will Get You," Dark-room, ABC, 1981.

Valerie, "An Unmarried Couple," Gimme a Break!, NBC, 1982.

Lizzy MacGail, "Thoroughbreds: Parts1&2," Highway to Heaven, NBC, 1985.

Donette, "Why Are You Here?," The Hitchhiker, HBO, 1987.

Herself, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, NBC, 1987.

Amanda "Sissy" Simpson, "The Thanks of a Grateful Nation," China Beach, ABC, 1990.

Herself, Late Night with David Letterman, NBC, 1992.

Herself, "The Breakdown: Part 2," The Larry Sanders Show, HBO, 1993.

Herself, The Late Show with David Letterman, CBS, multiple appearances, beginning 1994.

Host, Saturday Night Live (also known as NBC's Saturday Night, Saturday Night, and SNL ), NBC, 1994, 1997.

Jamie Buchman, "The One with Two Parts: Part 1," Friends, NBC, 1995.

Herself, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, NBC, 1997.

Herself, "Ellen: A Hollywood Tribute," Ellen, ABC, 1998.

Voice of Renee, "Dumbbell Indemnity," The Simpsons (animated), Fox, 1998.

"Saturday Night Live 25: The Music, 1995–1999," Saturday Night Live (also known as NBC's Saturday Night, Saturday Night, and SNL ), NBC, 1999.

Also appeared in Inside the Actors Studio, Bravo.

Television Appearances; Pilots:

Roberta, The Swiss Family Robinson, ABC, 1975.

Sharon McNamara, Having Babies (also known as Giving Birth ), ABC, 1976.

Television Work; Series:

Producer, Mad about You (also known as Loved by You ), NBC, 1996–1997.

Co–executive producer, Mad about You (also known as Loved by You ), NBC, 1997–1998.

Television Additional Voices; Animated Series:

Goltar and the Golden Lance, syndicated, 1985.

Captain Planet and the Planeteers (animated; also known as The New Adventures of Captain Planet ), TBS, 1990–1993.

Television Director; Episodic:

"Cheating on Sheila," Mad about You (also known as Loved by You ), NBC, 1998.

"Mother's Day," Mad about You (also known as Loved by You ), NBC, 1998.

"Farmer Buchman," Mad about You (also known as Loved by You ), NBC, 1999.

"The Final Frontier: Parts 1 & 2," Mad about You (also known as Loved by You ), NBC, 1999.

Film Appearances:

Tracy Calder, Rollercoaster, Universal, 1977.

Lena, Trancers (also known as Future Cop ), Empire, 1985.

Lynne Stone, Girls Just Want to Have Fun, New World, 1985.

Tracy, Waiting to Act, 1985.

Beth Bodell, Peggy Sue Got Married, TriStar, 1986.

Voice of Mary, The Nativity (animated; also known as The Greatest Adventure: The Nativity ), 1986.

Teresa "Teri" McDonald, Project X, Twentieth Century–Fox, 1987.

Hope Wyatt as an adult, Stealing Home, Warner Bros., 1988.

Jennifer, Miles from Home (also known as Farm of the Year ), Cinecom, 1988.

Darkroom, 1988.

Princess Henrietta, Cannon Movie Tales: The Frog Prince (also known as The Frog Prince and Story-book Cinema ), 1988.

Jessie Gates, Next of Kin, Warner Bros., 1989.

Anna, The Waterdance, Samuel Goldwyn, 1991.

Lena Deth, Trancers II: The Return of Jack Deth (also known as Future Cop II, Trancers II: The Return of Jack Deth, and Trancers II: The Two Faces of Death ), Full Moon, 1991.

Queens Logic, Seven Arts Productions, 1991.

Annie, Mr. Saturday Night, Castle Rock, 1992.

Claire Enfield, Only You, 1992.

Lena, Trancers 3: Deth Lives (also known as Death Lives, Future Cop III, and Trancers III ), Full Moon, 1992.

Reporter Rose Pondell (Scranton), Bob Roberts, Paramount, 1992.

Bev Kilmartin, Kiss of Death, Twentieth Century–Fox, 1995.

Dr. Joanne "Jo" Thornton–Harding, Twister, Warner Bros., 1996.

Carol Connelly, As Good As It Gets (also known as Old Friends ), Columbia/TriStar, 1997.

Twister: Ride It Out, 1998.

Arlene McKinney, Pay It Forward, Warner Bros., 2000.

Bree Davis, Dr. T & the Women, Artisan Entertainment, 2000.

Darcy McGuire, What Women Want, Paramount, 2000.

Kelly Frears, Cast Away, Twentieth Century–Fox, 2000.

Betty Ann "Fitz" Fitzgerald, The Curse of the Jade Scorpion (also known as Im Bann des Jade Skorpions ), DreamWorks, 2001.

(Scenes deleted) Truck driver, One Night at McCool's, USA Films, 2001.

A Good Woman, Columbia/TriStar Films, 2004.

Film Work:

Coproducer, Timepiece, 2003.

Stage Appearances:

Jill, Been Taken, Ensemble Studio Theatre, New York City, 1985.

Multiple roles, Methusalem, Wallenboyd Theatre, 1985.

Emily Webb, Our Town, Lyceum Theatre, New York City, 1989.

Bianca, The Taming of the Shrew, New York Shakespeare Festival, Delacorte Theatre, Public Theatre, New York City, 1990.

Viola/Cesario, Twelfth Night (also known as Twelfth Night; or, What You Will ), Vivian Beaumont Theatre, Lincoln Center, New York City, 1998.

Joan, The Guys, Actors' Gang, Hollywood, CA, 2003.

Sonia, Life (x) 3, Circle in the Square Theatre, New York City, 2003.

Also appeared in Alice in Wonderland, Los Angeles Cultural Arts Center, Los Angeles; Gladiators, Cast Theatre, Hollywood, CA; The Good War and Vital Signs, both Mark Taper Forum, Los Angeles; and The Value of Names, Skylight Theatre, Los Angeles.