Actress Helen Siff was best known for her iconic roles in Modern Family and Will & Grace and she has tragically died at the age of 88, it has been announced
18:01, 22 Dec 2025Updated 18:17, 22 Dec 2025
Helen has died at the age of 88(Image: Getty Images)
A Modern Family star has died after a “long and painful illness”, it has been reported today. Actress Helen Siff is best known for her roles in Modern Family and Will & Grace and she has died at the age of 88.
The star died on Thursday in Los Angeles as a result of complications following a surgery for illness, her family revealed in a statement they released. The statement reads: “Those who worked with Helen knew her not just as a talented performer, but as someone who brought professionalism, dedication and genuine kindness to every set.
“She understood that every role, no matter how large or small, was an opportunity to contribute something meaningful to the story being told. She had the rare gift of making even the smallest part memorable.”
Helen had some iconic roles over the years(Image: Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
Helen was best known for her acting career(Image: Getty Images)READ MORE: Inside Chris Rea’s 30-year health battle from organ removal to cancer diagnosisREAD MORE: Netflix adds early Paul Mescal drama fans say is ‘truly excellent’ and it’s not Normal People
Helen was best known for her character of Josie in an episode of Will & Grace. Helen had an array of jobs throughout her career, with some smaller roles such as a cashier in The Karate Kid and the Malibu maid in Hail, Caesar! She also played the role of a twin in Modern Family in an episode titled Lost Connection.
She was also known for playing Mrs. Skitzer in 2008’s action comedy You Don’t Mess with the Zohan where she starred alongside Adam Sandler, John Turturro and Rob Schneider.
Her other big screen chatacters included appearances in Rocky (1976), Big Top Pee-wee (1988), Earth Girls Are Easy (1988), City Slickers II: The Legend of Curly’s Gold (1994) and The Disappearance of Mrs. Wu (2021).
Siff’s career spanned five decades which included more than 70 screen credits in total. Helen’s TV debut was when she took part in a guest appearance on Lou Grant, the Mary Tyler Moore Show spinoff.
This role launched her career which included jobs on Cagney & Lacey, Silver Spoons, L.A. Law, Highway to Heaven, Knots Landing, Dragnet, Ellen, Married With Children and Modern Family.
Most recently, the actress featured in S.W.A.T., Mom, Curb Your Enthusiasm and for her final part in 2023 which was in the limited series High Desert.
Siff’s husband of 41 years, Marshall, died in 2007 from complications of Alzheimer’s. Their son Bruce died in 1999 and they are also parents to five other children.
Helen is survived by sisters Carol and Janet, a son Matt, daughters Susie, Karen, Vicki and Jenny, a Hollywood script supervisor; and grandchildren Chelsea, Zach, Robert, Josh, Spencer, Megan and Dean.
Helen’s daughter Vicki wrote her own tribute on her Instagram page while sharing a video showing photos of her mum over the years.
She said: “I’m heartbroken to share that my mother ( my mommy ) Helen Siff has passed away. My dynamic , charismatic , one-of-a-kind mom was a stage , television and film actress.
“She loved her craft deeply , but her greatest role was being a mother and grandmother … You’ve taken your final bow , mommy …. I will love you forever.”
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