Tricia Helfer

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Tricia Helfer
Helfer in 2007
Born
Tricia Janine Helfer

(1974-04-11) April 11, 1974 (age 49)
Donalda, Alberta, Canada
Nationality
  • Canadian
  • American (from 2011)
Occupations
  • Actress
  • model
Years active2000–present
Height5 ft 10.5 in (179 cm)[1]
Spouse
Jonathan Marshall
(m. 2003; div. 2019)
Modelling information
Hair colourDark blonde[1]
Eye colourBlue[1]

Tricia Janine Helfer (born April 11, 1974)[2][3] is a Canadian and American actress. She is known for portraying Number Six in the science fiction series Battlestar Galactica (2004–2009). She also voiced Sarah Kerrigan in the video game StarCraft II and its expansion packs (2010–2015), and portrayed Charlotte Richards/Goddess in the urban fantasy series Lucifer (2016–2021).

Early life[edit]

Helfer was born in rural Donalda, Alberta, Canada, to Dennis and Elaine Helfer.[4]

She studied at William E. Hay Composite High School in Stettler, Alberta. She lived and worked on the family's grain farm with her three sisters: Trena, Tammy and Tara.

Helfer was discovered at age 17 by a modeling agency scout while standing in line at a movie theatre.[4]

Career[edit]

Modelling[edit]

In 1992, she won Ford Models' Supermodel of the World contest. Helfer retired from fashion modelling in 2002 and claimed all her shoots since then are related to projects or product endorsements. She has appeared in ad campaigns for Ralph Lauren, Versace, Chanel, and Giorgio Armani.[1]

Helfer has walked for top fashion shows, such as Carolina Herrera, Christian Dior, Claude Montana, Givenchy, John Galliano, and Dolce & Gabbana.[1] Helfer has appeared on the covers of Flare, Amica, ELLE, Cosmopolitan, Marie Claire, and Vogue, among others.[1] She also regularly appeared in photo shoots by Maxim magazine, was the magazine's wall calendar girl for 2005, and was ranked #57 on the Maxim's Hot 100 Women of 2007.[5] Helfer was also featured as the cover model for the February 2007 issue of Playboy.[6]

Acting[edit]

Helfer at the 2007 Calgary International Film Festival

Helfer relocated to Los Angeles in 2002 to pursue a full-time acting career.[7] Her first acting assignment was a co-starring role as Sarah on the television series Jeremiah. She later played a model named Ashleigh James on the May 16, 2002 episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation ("The Hunger Artist"). In 2002, she played Eva in the independent film White Rush.[8]

In 2003, she played Number Six on Battlestar Galactica. In 2004, she portrayed Farrah Fawcett in the telefilm Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Charlie's Angels.[9] Concurrent with her role in Battlestar Galactica, Helfer began producing and hosting Canada's Next Top Model on May 31, 2006.[10] She appeared in Spiral and The Green Chain later the same year.[11]

In October 2006, it was announced that Helfer would not return to host the second season of Canada's Next Top Model so she could concentrate on Battlestar Galactica.[12] Helfer also played a major role in Electronic Arts' video game Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars, as the high-level Nod general Kilian Qatar, along with her Battlestar Galactica co-star, actress Grace Park.[13] She also starred in the episode "Roadkill" on the second season of Supernatural.

Helfer had a recurring role on the CBS sitcom Two and a Half Men. She played Gail, best friend of Charlie's (Charlie Sheen) fiancée Chelsea (Jennifer Taylor). When Chelsea finds out that her friend is recovering from a breakup, she says she should do so at Charlie's house.[14] Shortly after Chelsea and Charlie begin a trial separation, Gail begins a sexual relationship with Charlie.

Battlestar Galactica[edit]

In 2003, the television series Battlestar Galactica was used as the basis for a three-hour miniseries on the Sci Fi channel. The project was written and produced by Ronald D. Moore and directed by Michael Rymer. Helfer played the role of Number Six, a humanoid Cylon operative. She continued that role as a regular cast member in the TV series, which completed its fourth and final season on March 20, 2009. Due to the special nature of the Number Six character – there are many "copies" of Number Six with distinct personalities – Helfer has, in effect, played numerous roles on the series. In 2009, she reprised her role as Number Six in Battlestar Galactica: The Plan – a television movie that tells the story of the series from the Cylons' point of view. In 2012, she voiced a prototype Cylon in the prequel Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome.

Awards:

  • Leo Awards, Best Lead Performance By A Female in a Dramatic Series, Tricia Helfer ("Pegasus")

Nominations:

  • Scream Awards, Breakout Performance, Tricia Helfer as Number Six
  • Scream Awards, Best Television Actress, Tricia Helfer

2008–2015[edit]

Helfer in May 2014

In August 2008, Helfer appeared on the stage of NVISION 08, an event sponsored by NVIDIA, where she discussed her role in Battlestar Galactica as well as the use of computer graphics on the show.[15] Helfer appeared in an episode of the NBC series Chuck,[16] and as Michael Westen's nemesis in the USA Network series Burn Notice as "Carla Baxter". She appears as herself in Old 97's music video for their song, "Dance with Me".

She guest starred in "Resonance", the second episode of Warehouse 13 as FBI Agent Bonnie Belski on Syfy. She made a guest appearance in the pilot episode of Fox's 2009 mid-season series Human Target. She has played several prominent video game roles in recent years; including Kilian Quatar in Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars, Veronica Dare in Halo 3: ODST and EDI, the artificial intelligence aboard the Normandy SR-2 in Mass Effect 2 and Mass Effect 3. She voices Sarah Kerrigan in StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty and the expansion sets Heart of the Swarm and Legacy of the Void. Helfer voices Black Cat in The Spectacular Spider-Man and reprised her role in Spider-Man: Web of Shadows.[8]

Helfer joined the cast of Jerry Bruckheimer's TNT drama, Dark Blue,[17] as FBI Special Agent Alex Rice. The show was cancelled in November 2010 because of low ratings.[18] In October 2010, she made a guest appearance on Lie to Me.[19]

In 2011, she starred in The Black Keys' music video for "Howlin' for You".[20] She made guest appearances in No Ordinary Family (2011),[21] and Franklin & Bash (2011).[22] In 2011, Helfer starred as Morgana, a necromancer, in the TV series pilot 17th Precinct from Ron Moore with Galactica's co-stars James Callis and Jamie Bamber.[23] In October 2011, she got the lead role in the TV pilot Scent of the Missing as Susannah, a K-9 Search and Rescue Volunteer.[24] In November 2011, she appeared in the Hallmark TV movie Mistletoe Over Manhattan.[25] For 2012, she signed for the recurring role of Alex Clark in the new NBC TV Series The Firm.[25] On May 16, 2012, she appeared in season seven of the CBS series Criminal Minds, in which she led a team of bank-robbing serial killers. She guest starred in the second season of the Jane Espenson web series, Husbands.[26]

In 2014, she played Molly Parker on ABC's Killer Women, a remake of the Argentinian drama Mujeres Asesinas, with producer Sofia Vergara.[8] Also in 2014, she played Viondra Denniger, the steward and captain's wife of the titular starship in the miniseries Ascension on its long journey carrying people to populate a new world. Helfer voiced Sonya Blade in the fighting game, Mortal Kombat X, which was released in April 2015.

In 2015, she appeared in the series finale of Falling Skies as the Espheni Queen, the leader of the alien race that had invaded Earth and devastated humanity. She also played Louise, a woman attending a doll convention, in the web series Con Man.

2016–present[edit]

In 2016, Helfer was added to the main cast for the second season of the Fox series Lucifer, playing the vessel of the titular character's real mother and “Goddess of all creation”. During her stay in Los Angeles, she inhabits the body of lawyer Charlotte Richards as her temporary vessel. She served as the primary antagonist of Season 2, and a minor character in Season 5.[27][28]

In 2015–16, she played a recurring role as Evan Smith, a corporate attorney in the USA network series Suits.

In 2019, she was added to the main cast for the fourth season of the SyFy series Van Helsing, playing Dracula, the Dark One, who is the ruler of the vampire species.[29]

Personal life[edit]

In 2003, Helfer married Jonathan Marshall, a lawyer whom she met at a mutual friend's birthday party.[30][31] They separated in May 2017 and Helfer filed for divorce in January 2018, citing irreconcilable differences.[31] The divorce was settled in 2019.[32]

In 2011, Helfer became an American citizen.[33]

She has four artificial discs in her back and two in her neck, resulting from an incident in which a piece of luggage was dropped on her head while she was sitting on an airplane, and two in her lower back from mishaps while doing her own stunts.[34][35][36][37][38]

She co-founded the charity web site "Acting Outlaws" with former Battlestar Galactica co-star Katee Sackhoff; the web site collects donations for several causes and charity events.[39][40] She is also involved in various causes, from animal rescue[41] to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.[42] In 2014, she appeared in a PETA video campaign, encouraging cat owners to keep their cats indoors.[43]

Helfer is a vegetarian.[44]

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Year Film Role Notes
2000 Eventual Wife Inga Short film
2003 White Rush Eva
2006 The Genius Club Ally Simon
Memory Stephanie Jacobs
2007 Spiral Sasha
The Green Chain Leila Cole
Walk All over Me Celene
2008 Inseparable Rae Wicks
2009 Green Lantern: First Flight Boodikka (voice) Direct-to-video
Open House Lila
2010 A Beginner's Guide to Endings Miranda
2011 Bloodwork Dr. Wilcox
PostHuman Kali (voice) Short film
2012 The Forger Sasha
2014 37 Christina
Authors Anonymous Sigrid Hagenguth Also known as Strudel
2015 Isolation Lydia Masterson
2019 Bombshell Alisyn Camerota
2021 Save Ralph Cottonballs the rabbit (voice) Short film
2022 Spin Me Round Sofia

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2002 Jeremiah Sarah Episode: "The Long Road: Part 1"
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Ashleigh James Episode: "The Hunger Artist"
2003 Battlestar Galactica Number Six Miniseries
2004 Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Charlie's Angels Farrah Fawcett Television film
2004–2009 Battlestar Galactica Number Six Main role, 73 episodes
2006 The Collector Janis Eisner Episode: "The V.J."
Canada's Next Top Model Host Cycle 1
2007 Battlestar Galactica: Razor Number Six Television film
Them Naomi Tyler Moore Pilot
The Green Chain Leila Cole Television film
Supernatural Molly McNamara Episode: "Roadkill"
2007–2009 Burn Notice Carla Recurring role, 8 episodes
2008–2009 The Spectacular Spider-Man Felicia Hardy / Black Cat (voice) 3 episodes
2009 Battlestar Galactica: The Plan Number Six Television film
Hidden Crimes Julia Carver Television film
The Dealership Rachel Carson Unsold television pilot
Chuck Alex Forrest Episode: "Chuck Versus the Broken Heart"
Warehouse 13 Bonnie Belski Episode: "Resonance"
2009–2011 Two and a Half Men Gail 3 episodes
2010 The Super Hero Squad Show Sif (voice) Episode: "O, Brother!"
Human Target Stephanie Dobbs Episode: "Pilot"
Dark Blue Alex Rice Main role (season 2), 10 episodes
Lie to Me Naomi Russell Episode: "Double Blind"
The Whole Truth Bitsie Katz Episode: "Liars"
2011 No Ordinary Family Sophie Adler Episode: "No Ordinary Love"
Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated Amanda Smyth / Aphrodite (voice) Episode: "Where Walks Aphrodite"
Franklin & Bash Brett Caiman Episode: "Go Tell It on the Mountain"
17th Precinct Morgana Kurlansky Unsold television pilot
Mistletoe over Manhattan Lucy Martel Television film
2012 The Firm Alex Clark Recurring role, 12 episodes
Criminal Minds Izzy Rogers 2 episodes
Husbands Pillow Girl #2 2 episodes
Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome Cylon Prototype Episode: "Pilot"
Scent of the Missing Susannah Television film
2012–2013 Tron: Uprising The Grid (voice) 19 episodes
2013 Community Lauren Episode: "Conventions of Space and Time"
Finding Christmas Ryan Harrison Television film
Dangerous Intuition Kate Aldrich Television film
2014 Killer Women Molly Parker Lead role, 8 episodes
The Librarians Ms. Willis Episode: "And the Horns of a Dilemma"
Ascension Viondra Denninger Miniseries[45]
Spun Out Claudia Episode: "Parental Indiscretion"
2015 Suits Evan Smith 3 episodes
Key & Peele Agent Jackson Episode: "The Job Interview"
Falling Skies Espheni Queen (voice) Episode: "Reborn"
Con Man Louise 4 episodes
Rick and Morty Donna Gueterman (voice) Episode: "The Wedding Squanchers"
2016 Powers FBI Special Agent Angela Lange / Lynx Recurring role (season 2)
Operation Christmas Olivia Young Roberts Television film
Robot Chicken Kris Monroe / Ms. Delacroix / Colette (voices) Episode: "Food"
2016–2018,
2020–2021
Lucifer Charlotte Richards / Mom / Shirley Monroe Main role (2–3); Guest (5–6)[46]
2017 Sun, Sand and Romance Kate Television film
2019 S.W.A.T. Elle Trask Episode: "The B-Team"
Creepshow Lydia Layne Segment "Lydia Layne’s Better Half"
2019–2021 Van Helsing Dracula / Olivia Main role (season 4 & 5)[47]
2019 It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas Sarah Reed Hallmark Television Film
2021 Big Shot Mrs. Grazinsky Episode: "This Is Our House"
The Rookie Claire Ivey Episode: "Five Minutes"
2022 Step Up: High Water Erin Recurring role (season 3)

Video games[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2007 Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars Kilian Qatar
Command & Conquer 3: Kane's Wrath
2008 Spider-Man: Web of Shadows Felicia Hardy / Black Cat [48]
2009 Halo 3: ODST Captain Veronica Dare [48]
2010 Mass Effect 2 EDI [48]
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty Sarah Kerrigan [48]
2012–2013 Mass Effect 3 EDI [48]
2013 StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm Sarah Kerrigan [48]
2015 Mortal Kombat X Sonya Blade [49]
StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void Sarah Kerrigan [48]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Tricia Helfer profile". Fashion Model Directory.com. Archived from the original on January 5, 2011. Retrieved November 23, 2010.
  2. ^ Tricia Helfer [@trutriciahelfer] (April 11, 2014). "Thanks for all the bday wishes. Feeling lots of love today" (Tweet). Archived from the original on May 8, 2014. Retrieved May 7, 2014 – via Twitter.
  3. ^ Famous Female Actors Gr. 4-8. On The Mark Press. p. 9. ISBN 978-1-77072-777-9.
  4. ^ a b "Tricia Helfer Profile". TV Guide.com. Archived from the original on February 10, 2011. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
  5. ^ "Maxim's Hot 100 Women of 2007". Maxim.com. Archived from the original on May 20, 2014. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
  6. ^ Robertson, Josh (February 23, 2013). "The 50 Hottest Celebrities Who've Posed For Playboy: 42. Tricia Helfer". Complex.com. Archived from the original on February 26, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2014.
  7. ^ "Bio". TriciaHelfer.com. August 8, 2011. Archived from the original on August 8, 2011.
  8. ^ a b c Tricia Helfer at IMDb
  9. ^ "The Unauthorized Story of 'Charlie's Angels'". Flixster.com. June 14, 2005. Archived from the original on May 21, 2011. Retrieved November 23, 2010.
  10. ^ "Tricia Helfer – Canada's Top Model". BigBTV.com. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011.
  11. ^ "The Green Chain (2007)". IMDb. Archived from the original on September 6, 2014.
  12. ^ "Toronto's Jay Manuel To Host Second Season of Canada's Next Top Model". CityNews.ca. Archived from the original on January 6, 2007. Retrieved January 3, 2006.
  13. ^ "EA Reveals Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars: Kane Edition". Yahoo! Business News. Archived from the original on March 23, 2007. Retrieved January 3, 2006.
  14. ^ Abrams, Natalie (October 15, 2009). "Tricia Helfer to Guest Star on Two and a Half Men". TV Guide. Archived from the original on October 19, 2009.
  15. ^ "NVISION 08". Tricia Helfer official site. Archived from the original on August 2, 2008.
  16. ^ Mitovich, Matt (November 24, 2008). "Battlestar's Tricia Helfer to Handle Chuck". TV Guide. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
  17. ^ "Dark Blue Review". Tricia Helfer.com. Archived from the original on August 1, 2010. Retrieved November 23, 2010.
  18. ^ Sullivan, Brian Ford (November 16, 2010). "Exclusive: TNT Cancels 'Dark Blue'". The Futon Critic.com. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
  19. ^ "Exclusive: Tricia Helfer to Crush on Lie to Me's Lightman". TV Guide.com. Archived from the original on January 27, 2011. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
  20. ^ "The Black Keys' "Howlin' For You"". IFC News. February 10, 2011. Archived from the original on February 14, 2011.
  21. ^ "Michael Chiklis Faces No Ordinary Cylon Invasion". Ugo.com. March 1, 2011. Archived from the original on March 6, 2011. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
  22. ^ "Go Tell it on the Mountain". Clicker.com. August 3, 2011.
  23. ^ "Tricia Helfer 17th Precinct Pilot". AOL TV.com. March 4, 2011. Archived from the original on October 2, 2012.
  24. ^ Goldberg, Lesley (October 12, 2011). "Battlestar Galactica's' Tricia Helfer Nabs Lead in TNT Pilot". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 13, 2011. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
  25. ^ a b "Battlestar Galactica Babe Tricia Helfer to Appear in 'The Firm'". Daemons TV. August 19, 2011. Archived from the original on September 18, 2011.
  26. ^ Vary, Adam B. (June 28, 2012). "'Husbands': EP and star on season 2 of their gay-marriage web series". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 1, 2012. Retrieved June 28, 2012.
  27. ^ Ausiello, Michael (June 21, 2016). "Tricia Helfer Joins Lucifer Season 2 as Literally the Mother From Hell". TV Line. Archived from the original on August 8, 2016.
  28. ^ "Tricia Helfer Joins Cast of 'Lucifer'". Aol.video. aol.com. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
  29. ^ "Tricia Helfer Talks Playing Dracula on Van Helsing". Den Of Geek. August 2019.
  30. ^ Leech, Eric J. (Spring 2008). "Tricia Helfer profile" (PDF). Urban Male Magazine. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 4, 2008. Retrieved September 7, 2008.
  31. ^ a b Mizoguchi, Karen (January 26, 2018). "Tricia Helfer, Star of Lucifer & Battlestar Galactica, Files for Divorce from Husband of 13 Years". People.com. Archived from the original on March 31, 2018. Retrieved May 7, 2018.
  32. ^ "'Battlestar Galactica' Star Tricia Helfer Settles Divorce, No Spousal Support for Either Side". theblast.com. May 1, 2019. Retrieved August 12, 2022.
  33. ^ @trutriciahelfer (January 21, 2011). "I became an American citizen yesterday. Very happy and proud to be an American!! And fellow Canadian's, I'm dual, so no hate. I'm both" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  34. ^ "Tricia Helfer on Lopez Tonight". YouTube. August 4, 2010. Archived from the original on April 7, 2017.
  35. ^ Helfer, Tricia [@trutriciahelfer] (August 27, 2012). "Right before my back surgery - was in so much pain there "@werdyo:Tricia Helfer @ Spike VGA's 2009 @trutriciahelfer... http://tinyurl.com/7bnt5d6"" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  36. ^ Harley, Bryant. "Number 6 to Ascension: Tricia Helfer Talks". MotoUsa.Com. Archived from the original on May 14, 2019. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
  37. ^ Dittman, Earl. "Tricia Helfer returns to Earth to go underground in 'Dark Blue'". Digital Journal. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
  38. ^ "Tricia Helfer - And here's the picture of my neck right after surgery. | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
  39. ^ "Who We Are". The Acting Outlaws. Archived from the original on October 14, 2010. Retrieved November 23, 2010.
  40. ^ "Our Mission". The Acting Outlaws. Archived from the original on September 14, 2010. Retrieved November 23, 2010.
  41. ^ "Fur Ball at the Skirball". KittenRescue.org. Archived from the original on March 23, 2011. Retrieved March 1, 2011.
  42. ^ "Do Something!". Acting OutLaws.org. Archived from the original on February 9, 2011. Retrieved March 1, 2011.
  43. ^ Shehori, Steven (April 10, 2014). "Tricia Helfer And PETA Urge Pet Owners To Keep Their Cats Indoors". ET Canada. Archived from the original on April 16, 2014.
  44. ^ ...we were eating vegan chili dogs while we were filming that scene. The prop department made them for me because I'm vegetarian.
  45. ^ Bibel, Sara (April 30, 2014). "Tricia Helfer to Star in New Syfy Event Series 'Ascension'". TV by the Numbers (Press release). Archived from the original on May 2, 2014. Retrieved April 30, 2014.
  46. ^ Ausiello, Michael (July 20, 2016). "Lucifer Ups Tricia Helfer to Regular as the Mother From Hell — First Photo". TV Line.com. Archived from the original on August 8, 2016.
  47. ^ Boucher, Geoff (May 14, 2019). "'Van Helsing': Tricia Helfer Stakes Claim To Dracula Role & WWE Wrestling Star Also Added To Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
  48. ^ a b c d e f g "Tricia Helfer (visual voices guide) - Behind The Voice Actors". behindthevoiceactors.com (Check mark indicates role has been confirmed using screenshots of closing credits and other reliable sources). Retrieved March 28, 2019.
  49. ^ Helfer, Tricia [@trutriciahelfer] (January 16, 2018). "No, I voiced Sonya Blade in it" (Tweet). Retrieved February 17, 2019 – via Twitter.

External links[edit]