Helen Westley

Helen Westley (born Henrietta Remsen Meserole Manney; March 28, 1875 – December 12, 1942) was an American character actress of stage and screen.

Early years

Westley was born Henrietta Remsen Meserole Manney in Brooklyn, New York on March 28, 1875. She attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

Westley was an organizer of the Washington Square Players, debuting with that group on February 19, 1915, as the Oyster in Another Interior.

Westley's final film was My Favorite Spy.

Westley retired from acting in 1942, and subsequently lived with Ethel at her daughter's home in Middlebush, New Jersey, until Westley's death from an undisclosed illness on December 12, 1942. She was cremated at the Rose Hill Cemetery in Linden, New Jersey. On December 17 of the same year, Ethel had her mother's ashes buried at Cypress Hills Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York, in Section 9, Lot 26 (the same site where Westley's mother and father were buried).

Partial filmography

Moulin Rouge (1934) - Mrs. Morris The House of Rothschild (1934) - Gudula Rothschild Looking for Trouble (1934) - Pearl's Landlady (uncredited) Death Takes a Holiday (1934) - Stephanie The Age of Innocence (1934) - Granny Mingott Anne of Green Gables (1934) - Marilla Cuthbert Captain Hurricane (1935) - Abbie Howland Roberta (1935) - Aunt Minnie aka Roberta Chasing Yesterday (1935) - Therese The Melody Lingers On (1935) - Franceska Manzoni Splendor (1935) - Mrs. Emmeline Lorrimore Show Boat (1936) - Parthenia "Parthy" Ann Hawks Half Angel (1936) - Mrs. Martha Hargraves Dimples (1936) - Mrs. Caroline Drew Banjo on My Knee (1936) - Grandma Stowaway (1936) - Mrs. Hope Café Metropole (1937) - Margaret Ridgeway Sing and Be Happy (1937) - Mrs. Henty Heidi (1937) - Blind Anna I'll Take Romance (1937) - Madame Della aka Madella She Married an Artist (1937) - Martha Moriarty The Baroness and the Butler (1938) - Countess Sandor Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm (1938) - Aunt Miranda Wilkins Alexander's Ragtime Band (1938) - Aunt Sophie Keep Smiling (1938) - Mrs. Willoughby Zaza (1938) - Anais Wife, Husband and Friend (1939) - Mrs. Blair Lillian Russell (1940) - Grandma Leonard The Captain Is a Lady (1940) - Abigail Morrow All This, and Heaven Too (1940) - Madame LeMaire Lady with Red Hair (1940) - Mrs. Frazier Adam Had Four Sons (1941) - Cousin Philippa Lady from Louisiana (1941) - Blanche Brunot Sunny (1941) - Aunt Barbara Million Dollar Baby (1941) - Mrs. Galloway The Smiling Ghost (1941) - Grandmother Bentley Bedtime Story (1941) - Emma Harper My Favorite Spy (1942) - Aunt Jessie (final film role)