# Helen Shaver

Helen Shaver (born February 24, 1951) is a Canadian actress and film and television director. After appearing in a number of Canadian movies, she received a Canadian Screen Award for Best Actress for her performance in the romantic drama In Praise of Older Women (1978). She later appeared in the films The Amityville Horror (1979), The Osterman Weekend (1983), Desert Hearts (1985), The Color of Money (1986), The Believers (1987), The Craft (1996),Tremors 2: Aftershocks (1996) and Down River (2013). She received another Canadian Screen Award for Best Actress nomination for the 1986 drama film Lost!, and won a Best Supporting Actress for We All Fall Down (2000). Shaver also starred in some short-lived television series, including United States (1980) and Jessica Novak (1981), and from 1996 to 1999 starred in the Showtime horror series, Poltergeist: The Legacy, for which she received a Saturn Award for Best Actress on Television nomination.
In the mid-1990s, Shaver began working as a television director, directing more than 50 shows. She won three Directors Guild of Canada Awards, one Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Miniseries or TV Film, two Canadian Screen Awards, and three Women's Image Network Awards. She was nominated for an Emmy Award for directing the 1999 television movie Summer's End and in 2020 made her big screen debut with the drama film Happy Place. In 2004, Shaver was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame.

## Early life

Shaver was born and raised with five sisters in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada.

## Career

After roles in such Canadian features as Outrageous! (1977), Starship Invasions (1977), Who Has Seen the Wind (1977) and High Ballin' (1978), Shaver won a Canadian Film Award as Best Lead Actress opposite Tom Berenger (for her performance as "Ann MacDonald") in In Praise of Older Women (1978).
Shaver was one of the stars of director Sam Peckinpah's final film, 1983's The Osterman Weekend. In 1985, Shaver starred in Desert Hearts as a 1950s university professor who falls in love with another woman. Her performance, with co-star Patricia Charbonneau, drew critical praise and Shaver won the Bronze Leopard Award at the Locarno International Film Festival. Another prominent film performance during that time came in 1986 as the love interest of Paul Newman in his Oscar-winning portrayal of "Fast" Eddie Felson in Martin Scorsese's The Color of Money, a sequel to 1961's The Hustler.
In 1980, Shaver starred with Beau Bridges in the short-lived NBC television series United States developed by Larry Gelbart. A year later she starred in the short-lived drama series Jessica Novak. She was in the 1984 Canadian-made Countdown to Looking Glass. She subsequently appeared on such television shows as Hill Street Blues and T. J. Hooker. In 1990, she guest-starred as the murderer in Rest in Peace, Mrs. Columbo, and later that year co-starred on the short-lived series WIOU, playing a television journalist (as she also did on Jessica Novak). From 1996-1999, Shaver co-starred on the television series Poltergeist: The Legacy, playing Dr. Rachel Corrigan, a widowed psychiatrist with an eight-year-old daughter who is helped by the Legacy in the pilot episode; her performance earned a Saturn Award nomination. In 2000, she won a Genie Award for her portrayal of a drug-addicted prostitute in the independent feature We All Fall Down.
Shaver made her feature-length directorial debut in 1999 with the television film Summer's End, which won an Emmy and earned her a directorial nomination. Shaver has also directed a number of television shows and cable movies, including The Outer Limits, Judging Amy, Joan of Arcadia, Medium, The OC, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, The L Word, Jericho, Journeyman, Private Practice, The Unit, Crusoe, Orphan Black, Vikings (2013 TV series), 13 Reasons Why, and Westworld. In 2003 she won a Gemini award for Best Direction in a Dramatic Series for the Just Cause television series episode "Death's Details".
In 2004, Shaver was inducted into Canada's Walk of Fame.
Happy Place, her first theatrical feature film after directing for television, premiered at the Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival, and was screened at the 2020 Vancouver International Film Festival.
In 2021, Shaver picked up The Living Legend Tribute at the 23rd Women's Image Network Awards with fellow honoree JoJo Siwa its Rising Musical Star recipient.
In 2023, Shaver won the DGA award for directing episode 8 ("Who's There?") of Station Eleven.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1976 | The Supreme Kid | Girl Hitch-hiker | Make-up |
| 1976 | Shoot | Paula | |
| 1977 | Outrageous! | Jo | |
| 1977 | Starship Invasions | Betty Duncan | |
| 1977 | Who Has Seen the Wind | Ruth Thompson | |
| 1978 | High-Ballin' | Pickup | |
| 1978 | In Praise of Older Women | Ann MacDonald | Canadian Screen Award for Best Actress |
| 1979 | The Amityville Horror | Carolyn | |
| 1980 | Coming Out Alive | Isobel | |
| 1981 | Gas | Rhonda | |
| 1982 | Harry Tracy, Desperado | Catherine Tuttle | |
| 1983 | The Osterman Weekend | Virginia Tremayne | |
| 1984 | Best Defense | Clair Lewis | |
| 1984 | Body Double | Voice of Gloria Revelle (uncredited) | |
| 1985 | Desert Hearts | Vivian Bell | Locarno International Film Festival Bronze Leopard |
| 1985 | The War Boy | Maria | |
| 1986 | Lost! | Linda | Nominated — Canadian Screen Award for Best Actress |
| 1986 | The Men's Club | Sarah | |
| 1986 | The Color of Money | Janelle | |
| 1987 | The Believers | Jessica Halliday | |
| 1988 | The Land Before Time | Littlefoot's mother | |
| 1989 | Tree of Hands | Benet Archdale | |
| 1990 | Bethune: The Making of a Hero | Mrs. Dowd | |
| 1991 | A Smile in the Dark | The Devil | |
| 1992 | Zebrahead | Diane | |
| 1992 | That Night | Ann O'Connor | |
| 1993 | Morning Glory | Lula Peak | |
| 1995 | Open Season | Rachel Rowen | |
| 1995 | Born to Be Wild | Margaret Heller | |
| 1996 | The Craft | Grace Downs | |
| 1996 | Rowing Through | Slim | |
| 1996 | Tremors 2: Aftershocks | Dr. Kate Reilly | |
| 1996 | Egg Salad | Gladys | Short |
| 1999 | The Wishing Tree | Wallis | |
| 2000 | Bear with Me | Sara Bradley | |
| 2000 | We All Fall Down | Sherry | Canadian Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress |
| 2004 | The Keeper | Ruthie | |
| 2007 | Numb | Audrey Milbank | |
| 2013 | Birthday Cake | Judith Ferguson | |
| 2013 | Down River | Pearl | Nominated — Leo Award for Best Lead Performance by a Female in a Motion Picture Nominated — ACTRA Award for Outstanding Performance - Female |
| 2018 | Souls of Totality | Shepherd One | Short |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1974 | The Beachcombers | | "Affairs of the Heart" |
| 1974 | Police Surgeon | Gloria | "The Killer" |
| 1975 | Police Surgeon | Bonnie | "Web of Guilt" |
| 1977 | Search and Rescue: The Alpha Team | Dr. Liz Warren | TV film |
| 1978 | Lovey: A Circle of Children, Part II | Patty | TV film |
| 1979 | Overlanders | Mrs. O'Mara | TV film |
| 1980 | United States | Libby Chapin | Main role |
| 1981 | Jessica Novak | Jessica Novak | Main role |
| 1982 | Between Two Brothers | Susan Frazer | TV film |
| 1982 | Off Your Rocker | Miss Beecher | TV film |
| 1982 | Hill Street Blues | Teresa Hyler | 4 episodes |
| 1983 | T. J. Hooker | Lisa Jericho | "The Shadow of Truth" |
| 1984 | Countdown to Looking Glass | Dorian Waldorf | TV film |
| 1985 | The Park Is Mine | Valery | TV film |
| 1986 | Amazing Stories | Karen | "Mirror, Mirror" |
| 1986 | Philip Marlowe, Private Eye | Belle Delaguerra | "Spanish Blood" |
| 1986 | The Edison Twins | Phyllis Dayton | "The Case of the Friendly Fugitive", "Gems and Jelly Beans", "The Maharajah of Weston" |
| 1986 | Many Happy Returns | Sally Robinson | TV film |
| 1987 | The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | herself | TV talk show, June 25, 1987 |
| 1988 | The Ray Bradbury Theater | Miss Haight | "The Emissary" |
| 1988 | No Blame | Amy Donaldson | TV film Nominated — Gemini Award for Best Performance by a Lead Actress in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series |
| 1989 | B.L. Stryker | Diane Decker | "The Dancer's Touch" |
| 1989 | Mothers, Daughters and Lovers | Claire Nichols | TV film |
| 1990 | Pair of Aces | Rose | TV film |
| 1990 | Columbo | Vivian Dimitri | "Rest in Peace, Mrs. Columbo" |
| 1990-91 | WIOU | Kelby Robinson | Main role |
| 1992 | E.N.G. | Sandra Brady | "Child's Play" |
| 1992 | Fatal Memories | Elaine Tipton | TV film |
| 1993 | Survive the Night | Stacy | TV film |
| 1993 | Poisoned by Love: The Kern County Murders | Edie Ballew | TV film |
| 1993 | Trial & Error | Katherine Woodfield | TV film |
| 1994 | The Forget-Me-Not Murders | Monique | TV film |
| 1994 | Ride with the Wind | Katherine Barnes | TV film |
| 1994 | Without Consent | Nora Fields | TV film |
| 1994 | Janek: The Silent Betrayal | Monique Dessier | TV film |
| 1995 | Falling for You | Mary | TV film |
| 1995 | The Outer Limits | Cathy Kress | "The Sandkings" Nominated — CableACE Award for Actress in a Dramatic Series |
| 1996-99 | Poltergeist: The Legacy | Dr. Rachel Corrigan | Main role Nominated — Saturn Award for Best Actress on Television |
| 1997 | Dead Man's Gun | Dianna McKinney | "Next of Kin" |
| 1998 | The Sweetest Gift | Mrs. Martin | TV film |
| 1999 | The First Gentleman | Marjorie Litchfield | TV film |
| 2000 | Common Ground | Janet | TV film |
| 2001-02 | The Education of Max Bickford | Erica Bettis | Main role |
| 2003 | The Risen | Lynn Todd | TV film |
| 2003 | D.C. Sniper: 23 Days of Fear | Sandy Moose | TV film |
| 2004 | The L Word | Faye Buckley | "Luck, Next Time", "Liberally" |
| 2004 | The 4400 | Barbara Yates | "Becoming", "Trial by Fire" |
| 2008 | A Very Merry Daughter of the Bride | Rose | TV film |
| 2010 | Iris Expanding | Iris's Mom | TV film |

### Director

| Year | Title | Note(s) |
| 1996-99 | Poltergeist: The Legacy | 2 episodes |
| 1997-2000 | The Outer Limits | 6 episodes |
| 1998 | Dead Man's Gun | Episode: "Stage Coach Marty" |
| 1998 | The Net | Episode: "Bulls and Bears" |
| 1999 | Summer's End | TV movie |
| 2000-01 | Beggars and Choosers | 2 episodes |
| 2001 | The Associates | Unknown episodes |
| 2001 | Soul Food | Episode: "This Crazy Life" |
| 2001-05 | Judging Amy | 11 episodes |
| 2002 | The District | Episode: "Shell Game" |
| 2002 | Due East | TV movie |
| 2003 | Just Cause | Episode: "Death's Details" |
| 2003 | Dead Like Me | Episode: "Rest in Peace" |
| 2003 | Joan of Arcadia | Episode: "The Uncertainty Principle" |
| 2004 | The O.C. | Episode: "The Proposal" |
| 2004 | The 4400 | Episode: "The New and Improved Carl Morrissey" |
| 2005 | Close to Home | Episode: "Divine Directions" |
| 2005 | The Stranger I Married | TV movie |
| 2006 | Medium | Episode: "Doctor's Orders" |
| 2006-07 | The Unit | 3 episodes |
| 2006 | Vanished | Episode: "The Feed" |
| 2006 | Standoff | Episode: "Borderline" |
| 2006 | Ultra | TV movie |
| 2007 | Jericho | Episode: "Black Jack" |
| 2007 | Journeyman | Episode: "Winterland" |
| 2008-11 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | 9 episodes |
| 2008-09 | Cursoe | 2 episodes |
| 2008-09 | Private Practice | 2 episodes |
| 2009 | Castle | Episode: "One Man's Treasure" |
| 2010 | Make it or Break It | Episode: "Save the Last Dance" |
| 2010 | The Bridge | 2 episodes |
| 2010 | Shattered | 2 episodes |
| 2011 | Flashpoint | Episode: "I'd Do Anything" |
| 2011 | Stargate Universe | Episode: "Seizure" |
| 2011 | Law & Order: LA | Episode: "Big Rock Mesa" |
| 2011 | Combat Hospital | 2 episodes |
| 2012 | The Firm | 5 episodes |
| 2012-15 | Person of Interest | 3 episodes |
| 2013 | Republic of Doyle | Episode: "Firecracker" |
| 2013-14 | Revolution | 3 episodes |
| 2014 | Reign | Episode: "For King and Country" |
| 2014 | Elementary | Episode: "Dead Clade Walking" |
| 2014-17 | Orphan Black | 3 episodes |
| 2015-19 | Vikings | 6 episodes |
| 2016 | Heartbeat | Episode: "100,000 Heartbeats" |
| 2016 | Travelers | 2 episodes |
| 2017-18 | Anne with an E | 2 episodes |
| 2017 | 13 Reasons Why | 2 episodes |
| 2018 | Sneaky Pete | Episode: "The Reluctant Taxidermist" |
| 2018 | Impulse | Episode: "The Eagle and the Bee" |
| 2018 | Dietland | 2 episodes |
| 2020 | Westworld | Episode: "Passed Pawn" |
| 2020 | Snowpiercer | 2 episodes |
| 2020 | Lovecraft Country | Episode: "Meet Me in Daegu" |
| 2020 | Happy Place | Feature film |
| 2021-22 | Station Eleven | 3 episodes |
| 2022 | Quantum Leap | Episode: "What a Disaster!" |
| 2023 | The New Look | 4 episodes |
| 2024 | The Penguin | Episodes: "Cent'Anni" and "Homecoming" |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
| 1999 | Leo Awards | Best Direction: Dramatic Series | The Outer Limits, episode: "Lithia" | Nominated |
| 2001 | Genie Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role | We All Fall Down | Won |
| 2001 | Leo Awards | Best Performance by a Female: Feature Length Drama | We All Fall Down | Nominated |
| 2014 | Leo Awards | Best Lead Performance by a Female: Motion Picture | Down River | Nominated |
| 2017 | DGC Awards | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series | Vikings, episode: "Promised" | Won |
| 2018 | Canadian Screen Awards | Best Direction: Dramatic series | Anne With an E, episode: "I Am No Bird, And No Net Ensnares Me" | Nominated |
| 2019 | Leo Awards | Best Direction: Dramatic Series | Anne With an E, episode: "Youth Is The Season Of Hope" | Nominated |
| 2022 | DGC Awards | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series | Maid, episode: "String Cheese" | Nominated |
| 2022 | DGC Awards | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Mini-Series | Station Eleven, episode: "Who’s There?" | Won |