Hunt showed an interest in acting as a child and began her career in the 1970s as a child actress. Her early roles included: The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Swiss Family Robinson, The Facts of Life.
In the 1990s, Hunt became well-known to television audiences as co-star of sitcom Mad About You, winning Emmy Awards for her performance in 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999. By the end of the show in 1999, Hunt was the highest paid TV actress in history, earning $1 million per episode.
Hunt has also had a successful film career and has been in Hollywood movies such as Cast Away and Twister. She won an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1998 for her performance in As Good as It Gets.
In 2000, Hunt returned to the screen in four films: Dr. T & the Women with Richard Gere, Pay It Forward with Kevin Spacey & Haley Joel Osment, What Women Want with Mel Gibson, and Cast Away with Tom Hanks.
In 2006, Hunt will appear in the film Bobby, which is scheduled for a November 22 release.
Public Name: Helen Hunt
Birth Name: Helen Elizabeth Hunt
Date of Birth: June 15, 1963
Place of Birth: Culver City, California
Filmography
- Then She Found Me (2007)
- Bobby (2006)
- Empire Falls (2005)
- A Good Woman (2004)
- The Curse of the Jade Scorpion (2001)
- One Night at McCool's (2001)
- What Women Want (2000)
- Cast Away (2000)
- Pay It Forward (2000)
- Dr T and the Women (2000)
- "Mad About You" (161 episodes, 1992-1999)
- Twelfth Night, or What You Will (1998)
- "The Simpsons" (1 episode, 1998)
- As Good as It Gets (1997)
- Twister (1996)
- Kiss of Death (1995)
- "Friends" (1 episode, 1995)
- In the Company of Darkness (1993)
- Sexual Healing (1993)
- Trancers III (1992)
- Mr. Saturday Night (1992)
- Bob Roberts (1992)
- Only You (1992/I)
- The Waterdance (1992)
- Murder in New Hampshire: The Pamela Wojas Smart Story (1991)
- Trancers II (1991)
- Into the Badlands (1991)
- "My Life and Times" (4 episodes, 1991)
- "The Trials of Rosie O'Neill" (1 episode, 1990)
- "Captain Planet and the Planeteers" (1990)
- "China Beach" (1 episode, 1990)
- Incident at Dark River (1989)
- Next of Kin (1989)
- American Playhouse: Land of Little Rain (1989)
- The Easter Story (1989)
- Miles from Home (1988)
- Shooter (1988)
- Stealing Home (1988)
- Project X (1987)
- "The Hitchhiker" (1 episode, 1987)
- Peggy Sue Got Married (1986)
- The Frog Prince (1986)
- "St. Elsewhere" (8 episodes, 1984-1986)
- The Nativity (1986)
- Trancers (1985)
- "Highway to Heaven" (2 episodes, 1985)
- Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1985)
- "Galtar and the Golden Lance" (1985)
- Waiting to Act (1985)
- Sweet Revenge (1984)
- Choices of the Heart (1983)
- Quarterback Princess (1983)
- Bill: On His Own (1983)
- "It Takes Two" (1982)
- "Gimme a Break!" (1 episode, 1982)
- Desperate Lives (1982)
- Child Bride of Short Creek (1981)
- "Darkroom" (1 episode, 1981)
- The Miracle of Kathy Miller (1981)
- The Best Little Girl in the World (1981)
- I Think I'm Having a Baby (1981)
- Angel Dusted (1981)
- "Knots Landing" (2 episodes, 1980-1981)
- "The Facts of Life" (1 episode, 1980)
- "Family" (3 episodes, 1976-1980)
- Transplant (1979)
- "The Bionic Woman" (1 episode, 1978)
- "The Fitzpatricks" (1977)
- Rollercoaster (1977)
- The Spell (1977)
- "Mary Tyler Moore" (1 episode, 1977)
- Having Babies (1976)
- "Ark II" (1 episode, 1976)
- "Swiss Family Robinson" (1 episode, 1975-1976)
- Death Scream (1975)
- The Swiss Family Robinson (1975)
- All Together Now (1975)
- "Amy Prentiss" (1 episode 1973)
- Pioneer Woman (1973)
Awards
- People's Choice Award Favorite Female Performer in Television 1999
- American Comedy Award Funniest Female Performer in a a Motion Picture "As Good As It Gets" 1998
- Emmy Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series "Mad About You" 1998 - 99
- ShoWest Actress of the Year Award 1998
- Emmy Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series "Mad About You" 1997 - 98
- Florida Film Critics Circle Award Best Actress "As Good as It Gets" 1997
- Golden Globe Award Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) "As Good As It Gets" 1997
- Golden Satellite Best Actress in a Motion Picture (Musical or Comedy) "As Good As It Gets" 1997
- Oscar Best Actress "As Good As It Gets" 1997
- The Actor Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role "As Good As It Gets" 1997
- Emmy Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series "Mad About You" 1996 - 97
- Golden Globe Award Best Actress in a TV Series (Musical or Comedy) "Mad About You" 1996
- American Comedy Award Funniest Female Performer in a Television Series "Mad About You" 1995
- Emmy Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series "Mad About You" 1995 - 96
- American Comedy Award Funniest Female Performer in a Television Series "Mad About You" 1994
- Golden Globe Award Best Actress in a TV Series (Musical or Comedy) "Mad About You" 1994
- The Actor Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series "Mad About You" 1994
- Golden Globe Award Best Actress in a TV Series (Musical or Comedy) "Mad About You" 1993