Celebrity Nooz: Helen Hunt

Helen Hunt (Actress) as Jamie - Mad About You

Updated: 11/30/2007

Name: Helen Hunt

Born: June 15, 1963 in Los Angeles, California

Claim To Fame: Helen has a long and successful career. She began working in the 1970s as a child actress. Her early roles included an appearance as Murray Slaughter's daughter on 'The Mary Tyler Moore Show', and a regular role in the television series 'The Swiss Family Robinson'.

In the mid-1980s, she had a recurring role on 'St. Elsewhere' as Clancy Williams, girlfriend of Dr. Jack "Boomer" Morrison.

She may have won an Oscar in 'As Good As It Gets, but there is no doubt that Helen is most-known for her role as Jamie Buchman in the TV series 'Mad About You'.

Family Life: Hank Azaria (July 1999 - December 2000) (divorced)

Boyfriend Matthew Carnahan with whom she has a daughter, Makena' Lei Gordon Carnahan, with. Born 13 May 2004.

Father Director, Gordon Hunt

Niece of Director, Designer, Peter Hunt.

Info: Helen Hunt began studying acting at the age of eight with her father, respected director and acting coach Gordon Hunt. A year later she made her professional debut and afterwards worked steadily in films, theater and television.

Trivia: Got the role in 'Twister'based on her performance in 'The Waterdance'.

Daughter of Gordon Hunt.

Got the lead in 'As Good As It Gets' after Holly Hunter turned it down.

After divorcing Hank Azaria, she moved to New York, intending to do theater work, especially William Shakespeare.

Dated Eric Stoltz, her 'The Waterdance' co-star.

Her best friend is Helen Slater.

Witnessed the World Trade Center attacks from the roof of her brand new New York apartment and decided to leave the city right away, but could not get a flight out. She booked a private jet at considerable expense and flew herself and her staff out of Connecticut three days later, the first day they allowed private jets to fly. [September 2001]

Only the second actress to win a Golden Globe, an Oscar, and an Emmy in the same calendar year. The first was Liza Minnelli in 1973.

Beat Teri Hatcher for the role of Jamie Buchman in "Mad About You" at the final auditions.

Where Are They Now: Boy it sure seemed like after winning the Academy Award for 'As Good As It Gets' and the ending of 'Mad About You', Helen seemed to fade away. Well nothing could be further from the truth.

She actually appeared in many movies, in fact she appeared in four movies released in the year 2000. Two of them were in theaters at the same time during the end-of-the-year holiday season, and grossed over $150 million each: Cast Away and What Women Want.

She also hit Broadway in 'Life (x) 3'.

Helen did take some time off after the birth of her daughter. Then hit the big screen again in the 2006 movie, 'Bobby'.

This year she wrapped up, 'Then She Found Me' which will be released in 2008.

Write To Helen Hunt:
Helen Hunt
c/o Bryan Lourd
Creative Artists Agency LCC (CAA-LA)
2000 Ave Of The Stars
Los Angeles, CA 90067

Videos: From the Movie As Good As It Gets

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