Who Is Helen (actress)? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Helen, born on November 21, 1938, is an acclaimed Indian actress and dancer known for her work in Hindi and regional cinema. With a career spanning over six decades, she has made a significant mark in the film industry, known for her iconic dance performances and memorable character roles. Helen's contributions to Indian cinema have garnered her numerous accolades, with fans adoring her vibrant and dynamic presence on screen.
| Occupation | Actress |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | November 21, 1938 |
| Age | 86 Years |
| Birth Place | Rangoon, British Burma (present-day Yangon, Myanmar) |
| Horoscope | Scorpio |
| Country | Myanmar |
Popularity
Helen (actress)'s Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
At 86 years old, Helen stands tall at approximately 5 feet 2 inches (158 cm). Despite her age, she maintains a graceful demeanor that reflects her lifelong dedication to dance and fitness. Although her weight has varied throughout her career due to the demands of her roles, she is generally around 65 kg (143 lbs). Her well-maintained figure showcases the elegance she is known for, and she often attributes her fitness to her disciplined lifestyle and love for dance.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Helen is of Anglo-Burmese descent and comes from a diverse cultural background. She was married to film director (later revealed in her bio) in 1993, which was a significant event in her personal life. Over the years, she has kept her family life mostly private, valuing her relationships and maintaining a supportive environment amidst her busy career. Currently, Helen is enjoying her time with her family and revisiting her passion for performance, involving herself in various artistic projects.
Her father's name was George Desmier and her mother's name was Marlene. She has a brother named Roger and a sister named Jennifer. Their father died during World War II. The family then trekked to Dibrugarh of Assam in 1943 in order to escape from the Japanese occupation of Burma.
Helen told Filmfare during an interview in 1964: "...we trekked alternately through wilderness and hundreds of villages, surviving on the generosity of people, for we were penniless, with no food and few clothes.
Occasionally, we met British soldiers who provided us with transport, found us refuge and treated our blistered feet and bruised bodies and fed us. By the time we reached Dibrugarh in Assam, our group had been reduced to half. Some had fallen ill and been left behind, some had died of starvation and disease. My mother miscarried along the way.
The survivors were admitted to the Dibrugarh hospital for treatment. Mother and I had been virtually reduced to skeletons and my brother's condition was critical. We spent two months in hospital.
When we recovered, we moved to Calcutta, and sadly my brother died there due to smallpox'."She quit her schooling to support her family because her mother's salary as a nurse was not enough to feed a family of four.
In a documentary called Queen of the Nautch girls, Helen said she was 19 years old in 1958 when she got her first big break in Howrah Bridge.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Helen's estimated net worth is around $10 million. Over her long career, she has accumulated wealth through acting, dancing, and various endorsements and appearances. Her earnings, which have fluctuated throughout her career, have been sustained by her continuous involvement in the entertainment industry as well as by her strategic investments in real estate and business ventures related to dance and film production.
Career, Business and Investments
Helen's career began in the 1950s, and she quickly rose to fame with her mesmerizing dance sequences in films. She became synonymous with cabaret dance in Hindi films during the 60s and 70s. Beyond acting, Helen has involved herself in several business endeavors, including dance schools aimed at nurturing the next generation of artists. She has also invested in charitable organizations focusing on arts education, ensuring that her passion for dance and performance inspires many.
Helen Ann Richardson Khan (née Richardson; born 21 November 1938), known mononymously as Helen, is an Indian actress and dancer. She has appeared in over 500 films, making her a prolific performer in Hindi cinema. In a career spanning 70 years, Helen has received two Filmfare Awards.
She is often cited as one of the most popular nautch and cabaret dancers of her time. In 2009, Helen was awarded with the Padma Shri by the Government of India.
Social Network
With a significant presence on social media, Helen connects with her fans through platforms like Instagram and Facebook. She shares snippets of her life, upcoming projects, and throwbacks to memorable moments in her career. As of 2025, her social media following has grown exponentially, making her one of the cherished icons of the entertainment industry who continues to inspire many with her journey.
She got her major break in 1958, aged 19, when she performed on the song "Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu" in Shakti Samanta's film, Howrah Bridge, which was sung by Geeta Dutt. After that, offers started pouring in throughout the 1960s and 1970s. During her initial career, Geeta Dutt sang many songs for her.
In the plot of many of the films of this period, Helen performs a song or dance then is killed, leaving the film's "good woman" available for the hero. The Bollywood playback singer Asha Bhosle also frequently sang for Helen, particularly during the 1960s and the early 1970s.
She was nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1965 for her role as Kitty Kelly in Gumnaam. She played dramatic roles in films like China Town and Sachaai (1969) starring Shammi Kapoor which went on to be very successful at the box office.
She also played a sensitive character in the film Chhote Sarkar (1974) starring Shammi Kapoor and Sadhana. With Shammi Kapoor, she did many hit dance numbers like 'Suku Suku' in Junglee, ' Yamma Yamma' in China Town, 'O Haseena Zulfonwali' in Teesri Manzil (1966), 'Hai Pyar Ka Hi Naam' in Singapore, and 'Muqabla Humse Na Karo' in Prince (1969).
Education
Helen's educational background laid a strong foundation for her artistic career. She trained in various dance forms that have influenced her performance style throughout her life. Though specific details about her formal education are not widely publicized, it is evident that her training and dedication to her craft have contributed to her enduring success in the entertainment field.
