Francesca Marie Smith

Francesca Marie Smith (born March 26, 1985) is an American actress known for voicing Helga Pataki on the Nickelodeon animated television series Hey Arnold!. She is also known for voicing multiple characters on Disney's Recess, most notably as Ashley B. and Swinger Girl, among others.

Personal life Smith studied at Pepperdine University, graduating in 2008. She obtained a Ph.D. from USC Annenberg in 2021.

On March 27, 2019, Smith stated that she had been diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis via Twitter (now X).

On April 12, 2024, Smith was admitted to the Keck Hospital as a result of a major relapse effect of MS (similar to a stroke) and stated that she was unable to walk, speak and even eat solid foods for three weeks, while also having trouble breathing. Thus, she set up a fundraiser called *FrancescaAndHerMSJourney to help her recovery.

Filmography Television Year Title Role Notes 1991 Parker Lewis Can't Lose Elaine Leffler Episode: "Boy Meets Girl" 1992 In Sickness and in Health Kid #1 Television film 1994 Blossom Lizzy Martin Episode: "Dirty Rotten Scoundrel" 1994–1996 Itsy Bitsy Spider Leslie McGroarty (voice) 26 episodes 1994 Beethoven Emily Newton (voice) 13 episodes 1995 Daisy-Head Mayzie Mayzie McGrew (voice) Television special Here Come the Munsters Monique Television film The Drew Carey Show Monica Episode: "Lewis's Sister" 1996 Nick Freno: Licensed Teacher Ursula Episode: "Hot for Teacher" 1996–1998 The Secret World of Alex Mack Jenny, Pipe Victims Sister 3 episodes 1996–2004 Hey Arnold! Helga Pataki, Sheena, Campfire Lass, Various voices (voice) 86 episodes 1999 Two of a Kind Gabrielle Episode: "Kevin Burke's Day Off" 2000–2002 The Amanda Show Various 3 episodes 2001 Lloyd in Space Additional voices Episode: "Caution: Wormhole!" 2002 The Zeta Project Transita (voice) Episode: "Ro's Gift"

Film Year Title Role Notes 1998 A Bug's Life - Additional voices & Ephorah The Prince of Egypt 2001 Recess: School's Out Ashley B., Swinger Girl, Upside-Down Girl (voice) Recess Christmas: Miracle on Third Street Ashley B. (voice) Direct-to-video 2002 Hey Arnold!: The Movie Helga Pataki (voice) 2003 Recess: Taking the Fifth Grade Ashley B., Swinger Girl, Upside Down Girl (voice) Direct-to-video Recess: All Growed Down Upside-Down Girl (voice)

Video games

Voiceover added in the June 2022 update She was nominated for Best Youth Actress in a Voice-Over Role: TV or Movie at the 15th Youth in Film Awards for Itsy Bitsy Spider and for Best Performance in a TV Drama Series: Guest Starring Young Actress at the 18th Youth in Film Awards for her role on The Secret World of Alex Mack. In 2001, Smith was nominated for Best Performance in a Voice-Over: TV/Film/Video – Young Actress at the 22nd Young Artist Awards for her role on Hey Arnold!.