Helen Siff – who starred alongside George Clooney in 2016 Oscar-nominated film Hail, Caesar! – has passed away at 88.
The talented star’s family announced that she had died in Los Angeles on Thursday of complications from surgery for a ‘long, painful illness.’
The veteran actress enjoyed a career which spanned five decades with roles throughout film and television.
They wrote in a statement: ‘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,’ her family wrote in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.
She portrayed Malibu Maid in the Joel Coen and Ethan Coen written and directed film Hail, Caesar! which centered around a Hollywood fixer in the 1950s who works to keep he studio’s stars in line.
Helen Siff – known for her work on iconic sitcoms Will & Grace and Modern Family – has passed away at 88 (she is pictured in Hollywood back in October 2010)
Siff is pictured alongside George Clooney as they worked together on 2016 Oscar-nominated film Hail, Caesar!
In addition to her roles on the Clooney-fronted film, she was also known for her work in 1984’s The Karate Kid, 2008’s You Don’t Mess With The Zohan and 1988’s Earth Girls Are Easy.
Her daughter Victoria Siff Russell took to Facebook to share a sweet tribute to her late mother along with a slideshow of photos celebrating her life.
She captioned the short clip: ‘I’m heartbroken to share that my mother ( my mommy) Helen Siff has passed away [broken heart emoji]
‘My dynamic, charismatic, one-of-a-kind mom was a stage, television and film actress . She loved her craft deeply , but her greatest role was being a mother and a grandmother.’
Victoria concluded the post with a sweet final message to her beloved mother.
She wrote: ‘You’ve taken your final bow , mommy . I will love you forever [two red heart emojis]’
Siff also starred on several television shows including guest sports on iconic sitcoms including Ellen in 1994, Married… With Children in 1994 and 1996, Will & Grace in 2003 and Modern Family in 2015.
Her television resume also includes work in Lou Grant, Cagney & Lacey, Silver Spoons, L.A. Law, Knots Landing, Dharma & Greg, Scrubs, Will & Grace, My Name Is Earl, S.W.AT., Mom, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Good Trouble.
Her daughter Victoria Siff Russell took to Facebookto share a sweet tribute to her late mother along with a slideshow of photos celebrating her life
In addition to her roles on the Clooney-fronted film, she was also known for her work in 1984’s The Karate Kid, 2008’s You Don’t Mess With The Zohan (pictured with Adam Sandler) and 1988’s Earth Girls Are Easy
Siff also starred on several television shows including guest sports on iconic sitcoms including Ellen in 1994 (pictured with Ellen DeGeneres), Will & Grace in 2003 and Modern Family in 2015
She also starred in Married… With Children in 1994 and 1996 (pictured)
She also established herself on the stage as she originated the role of Helga in a 1993 off-Broadway production of Grandma Sylvia’s Funeral which was a comedy about a Jewish funeral gone wrong.
Siff also starred in productions of Lilies Of The Field, Lost In Yonkers and Over the River And Through the Woods.
