Audra Lindley

Audra Marie Lindley (September 24, 1918 – October 16, 1997) was a renowned American actress, best known for her portrayal of the quirky landlady Helen Roper on the popular sitcom *Three's Company* and its spin-off, *The Ropers*.

Lindley, born in Los Angeles, California, hailed from a family deeply rooted in show business. She initially entered Hollywood as a stand-in and ventured into stunt work, but eventually shifted her focus to theater, relocating to New York City in her mid-20s. Throughout her Broadway career, she showcased her talents in productions like *On Golden Pond*, *Playhouse 90*, *Long Day's Journey into Night*, and *Horse Heavens*. After taking a hiatus to marry and raise five children, she returned to acting with notable television roles, including Sue Knowles in the soap opera *Search for Tomorrow* and Aunt Liz Matthews in *Another World*.

Lindley achieved significant acclaim as Helen Roper beginning in 1977, donning a wig to accentuate her character's distinctive hairstyle. Although *The Ropers*, which followed her character's journey, did not succeed, she remained a fixture on television and in films, appearing in *Revenge of the Stepford Wives* (1980) and *Cannery Row* (1982). One of her final performances was in the film *Desert Hearts* (1985), where she creatively negotiated for a reshoot of a pivotal scene.

Lindley's career also included memorable roles as Phoebe Buffay’s grandmother on *Friends* and as Cybill Shepherd’s mother in both the film *The Heartbreak Kid* (1972) and the sitcom *Cybill*. She passed away from leukemia on October 16, 1997, with a script for *Cybill* by her side. She was previously married to Dr. Hardy Ulm (1943–196