Helen Gallagher
Birth Place: New York, NY, USA
Latest News on Helen Gallagher:
Linda Lavin, William Finn, Gene Hackman and More to be Honored in Inaugural Marquee Dimming (Jun 5, 2025)
EXIT THE KING to be Presented by Basement Theatrics for One Night Only (May 29, 2025)
BHAI BHAI BHAI By Veer Arya To Have Developmental Reading At Basement Theatrics (May 7, 2025)
Linda Lavin, William Finn, Gene Hackman and More to be Honored in Inaugural Marquee Dimming (Jun 5, 2025)
EXIT THE KING to be Presented by Basement Theatrics for One Night Only (May 29, 2025)
BHAI BHAI BHAI By Veer Arya To Have Developmental Reading At Basement Theatrics (May 7, 2025)
BIO
Helen Gallagher received her first Tony Award in 1952 for her memorable performance as Gladys Bumps in the original Broadway company of the musical Pal Joey. She went on to win a second Tony in 1971 for her grandiose turn in the musical No, No, Nanette.
Offstage, Helen was the winner of three Emmys for her role as Maeve Ryan in the long-running soap opera Ryan's Hope. As an active professional, she studied weekly with HB Studio Master Teacher Uta Hagen and was an instructor of Singing for the Musical Theater at HB Studio.
Helen's other Broadway credits included runs in Sugar Babies, Mame, Sweet Charity, Pajama Game, Hazel Flagg, and High Button Shoes. She made notable appearances in the City Center productions of Oklahoma!, Guys And Dolls, Finian’s Rainbow, and Brigadoon.
She was seen Off-Broadway in Tallulah, I Can’t Keep Running In Place, The Misanthrope, Electra, Red Rover Red Rover, The Gingerbread Lady, and Hothouse.
Her film roles included appearances in Strangers When We Meet and Roseland.
Gallagher passed away on November 24, 2024 at the age of 98 at a hospital in Manhattan.
STAGE CREDITS
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1979
Featured Performer [Replacement]
[Replacement]
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1966
Agnes Gooch [Replacement]
Vera Charles [Replacement]
[Replacement]
Agnes Gooch [Replacement]
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1966
Nickie
Charity [Replacement]
Charity Hope Valentine [Replacement]
[Replacement]
Nickie
Charity [Replacement]
(Understudy)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
[Broadway]
Closed on the road, 1964
Sadie (Understudy) [Replacement]
(Unknown) [Replacement]
(Unknown) [Replacement]
(Unknown) [Replacement]
(Unknown) [Replacement]
(Unknown) [Replacement]
(Unknown) [Replacement]
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1954
Gladys [Replacement]
[Replacement]
[Replacement]
[Replacement]
[Replacement]
[Replacement]
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1949
Neighbor
Daughter
Performer
The Girl
Theatregoer
Performer
Neighbor
Daughter
Theatregoer
The Girl
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1945
Chorine
Dancer
Neighbor
Chorine
Dancer
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1944
Performer (Understudy)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
(Unknown)
Productions
Movies
Strangers When We Meet
[ 1960 ] Betty Anders
[ 1960 ] Betty Anders
Roseland
[ 1977 ] Cleo The Hustle
[ 1977 ] Cleo The Hustle
Neptune's Rocking Horse
[ 1997 ] Sadie
[ 1997 ] Sadie
TV Shows
Shangri-La
Lise
Lise
Another World
Hannah Tuttle
Hannah Tuttle
Ryan's Hope
[ 1975-1989 ] Maeve Ryan, Maeve Colleary Ryan
[ 1975-1989 ] Maeve Ryan, Maeve Colleary Ryan
Law & Order
Flo Bishop
Flo Bishop
All My Children
Nurse Harris
Nurse Harris
One Life to Live
[ 1997-1998 ] Dr. Maud Boylan
[ 1997-1998 ] Dr. Maud Boylan
Awards and Nominations
winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1971 - Outstanding Performance
Helen Gallagher, No, No, Nanette
winner
Tony Awards - 1971 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical
Helen Gallagher, No, No Nanette
Tony Awards - 1966 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
Helen Gallagher, Sweet Charity
Tony Awards - 1966 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
Helen Gallagher, Sweet Charity
winner
Tony Awards - 1952 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical
Helen Gallagher, Pal Joey
Videos
News
EXIT THE KING to be Presented by Basement Theatrics for One Night Only
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 29, 2025
Basement Theatrics will present its staged reading of Eugène Ionesco's classic Exit The King at the Helen Gallagher Studio Theatre at HB Studio. Learn more here!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 29, 2025
Basement Theatrics will present its staged reading of Eugène Ionesco's classic Exit The King at the Helen Gallagher Studio Theatre at HB Studio. Learn more here!
Feature: December's Birthday Tributee Is A Class Act
by Rob Lester - Dec 7, 2024
Read our interview with a long-time, long admired cabaret star who celebrates born in the same month (different year) as one of his idols (Noel Coward). It's our monthly Birthday Tribute feature.
by Rob Lester - Dec 7, 2024
Read our interview with a long-time, long admired cabaret star who celebrates born in the same month (different year) as one of his idols (Noel Coward). It's our monthly Birthday Tribute feature.
Tony and Emmy-Winning Actor Helen Gallagher Dies At Age 98
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 26, 2024
BroadwayWorld is saddened to report the death of Tony and Emmy Award-winning actor, Helen Gallagher. The acclaimed actor and educator was 98 at the time of her passing.
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 26, 2024
BroadwayWorld is saddened to report the death of Tony and Emmy Award-winning actor, Helen Gallagher. The acclaimed actor and educator was 98 at the time of her passing.
Yangtze Rep Awards Project YZ $10K Residencies To Nana Dakin And Chika Shimizu
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 18, 2024
Yangtze Repertory Theatre awards $10K residencies to Nana Dakin and Chika Shimizu. Learn more!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 18, 2024
Yangtze Repertory Theatre awards $10K residencies to Nana Dakin and Chika Shimizu. Learn more!
Review: FIFTY KEY STAGE MUSICALS IN CONCERT at 54 Below Is All The Things
by Stephen Mosher - Sep 17, 2022
Robert W. Schneider and Michael Lavine do themselves, 54 Below, and Broadway proud with their remarkable historical concert.
by Stephen Mosher - Sep 17, 2022
Robert W. Schneider and Michael Lavine do themselves, 54 Below, and Broadway proud with their remarkable historical concert.
Musical Theater Melodies Celebrates 120th Birthday of Legendary Composer Richard Rodgers with Broadcast and Streaming Premiere
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 24, 2022
Tuesday June 28th, 2022, marks the 120th Anniversary of the birth of legendary Broadway composer Richard Rodgers, Rob Morrison's Musical Theatre Melodies will commemorate the occasion with the broadcast and streaming premiere of the Museum of the City of New York's A CELEBRATION OF RICHARD RODGERS, recorded live at The Imperial Theatre, New York City, on March 26th, 1972.
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 24, 2022
Tuesday June 28th, 2022, marks the 120th Anniversary of the birth of legendary Broadway composer Richard Rodgers, Rob Morrison's Musical Theatre Melodies will commemorate the occasion with the broadcast and streaming premiere of the Museum of the City of New York's A CELEBRATION OF RICHARD RODGERS, recorded live at The Imperial Theatre, New York City, on March 26th, 1972.
Susanne Mack Returns To Pangea May 20 For Final Performance of FRAGMENTS
by Stephen Mosher - Apr 24, 2022
Much-lauded cabaret singer Susanne Mack will play her 2021 show FRAGMENTS for one final encore.
by Stephen Mosher - Apr 24, 2022
Much-lauded cabaret singer Susanne Mack will play her 2021 show FRAGMENTS for one final encore.
BWW Interview: Barbara Bleier of LIFE, LOVE, AND WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE? on MetropolitanZoom
by Stephen Mosher - May 1, 2021
With years of cabaret experiences behind them, Barbara Bleier, Austin Pendleton, Barbara Maier Gustern and Paul Greenwood are taking to the 'net for their latest cabaret show, and Bleier has a lot to say about it.
by Stephen Mosher - May 1, 2021
With years of cabaret experiences behind them, Barbara Bleier, Austin Pendleton, Barbara Maier Gustern and Paul Greenwood are taking to the 'net for their latest cabaret show, and Bleier has a lot to say about it.
Skyline Theatre Company's 2020 Horizon Award goes to Fair Lawn Borough's Ms. Robin Schamach
by Stephi Wild - Aug 9, 2020
Skyline Theatre Company, Bergen Countya??s most established professional theatre company, announces its 2020 Horizon Award recipient is Fair Lawn Borougha??s Robin Schamach. Skyline bestows this annual award to a true supporter of the arts.
by Stephi Wild - Aug 9, 2020
Skyline Theatre Company, Bergen Countya??s most established professional theatre company, announces its 2020 Horizon Award recipient is Fair Lawn Borougha??s Robin Schamach. Skyline bestows this annual award to a true supporter of the arts.
Broadway and Film Actress Paula Kelly Dies at 76
by Stephi Wild - Feb 9, 2020
BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that Paula Kelly, actress of stage and screen, has died. She was 76. Kelly made her Broadway debut as Mrs. Veloz in the 1964 musical Something More!, alongside Barbara Cook. Her other Broadway credits include The Dozens (1969), Paul Sills' Story Theatre (1971), Ovid's Metamorphoses (1971), and Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies (1981).
by Stephi Wild - Feb 9, 2020
BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that Paula Kelly, actress of stage and screen, has died. She was 76. Kelly made her Broadway debut as Mrs. Veloz in the 1964 musical Something More!, alongside Barbara Cook. Her other Broadway credits include The Dozens (1969), Paul Sills' Story Theatre (1971), Ovid's Metamorphoses (1971), and Duke Ellington's Sophisticated Ladies (1981).
Photo Flash: HB Studio 2019 Gala Celebrates UTA AT 100
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 12, 2019
On Monday, June 10 nearly 250 people gathered at the Tribeca Rooftop for the HB Studio Gala celebrating the centennial of its long-time master teacher, the two-time Tony Award winning actress Uta Hagen, whose 100th birthday is Wednesday, June 12.
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 12, 2019
On Monday, June 10 nearly 250 people gathered at the Tribeca Rooftop for the HB Studio Gala celebrating the centennial of its long-time master teacher, the two-time Tony Award winning actress Uta Hagen, whose 100th birthday is Wednesday, June 12.
Before There Was BYE BYE BIRDIE, There Was A POUND IN YOUR POCKET
by Stephi Wild - Jan 18, 2018
As previously announced, Feinstein's/54 Below will present the rarely heard musical A Pound in Your Pocket as part of its popular Second Act Series on Wednesday, January 24th at 7:00pm. The very first collaboration from acclaimed songwriters Charles Strouse and Lee Adams, best known for Bye Bye Birdie, A Pound In Your Pocket is a delightful, Dickensian story about friendship and redemption. Strouse will be on hand at the one-night-only concert to greet fans and sign copies of his memoir, Put On A Happy Face.
by Stephi Wild - Jan 18, 2018
As previously announced, Feinstein's/54 Below will present the rarely heard musical A Pound in Your Pocket as part of its popular Second Act Series on Wednesday, January 24th at 7:00pm. The very first collaboration from acclaimed songwriters Charles Strouse and Lee Adams, best known for Bye Bye Birdie, A Pound In Your Pocket is a delightful, Dickensian story about friendship and redemption. Strouse will be on hand at the one-night-only concert to greet fans and sign copies of his memoir, Put On A Happy Face.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How many Broadway shows has Helen Gallagher been in?
Helen Gallagher has appeared on Broadway in 20 shows.
How many West End shows has Helen Gallagher been in?
Helen Gallagher has not appeared in the West End.
What awards has Helen Gallagher been nominated for?
Outstanding Performance (Drama Desk Awards) for No, No, Nanette, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for No, No Nanette, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Sweet Charity, Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Sweet Charity and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Pal Joey.
What awards has Helen Gallagher won?
Helen Gallagher has won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Performance for No, No, Nanette. She also received the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for No, No Nanette, as well as the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical for Pal Joey.
Videos