BF HElman (1947-2024)
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Longtime member and supporter of Defiant Theatre Company, actor, poet, writer, film expert and enthusiastic observer of politics, BF Helman has died after an illness. He was truly a Renaissance man, with sharp wit and endless curiosity.
Helman’s passion was the theater. He had numerous stage roles, and extensive on camera and voice over work, locally and nationally. He appeared in commercials and high profile corporate projects. A long time specialty was dramatic and comedic roles in syndicated radio dramas and programs. Above all others, Helman's passion project was the Defiant Theatre Company in Chicago, where he acted and supported the group in countless ways. Theater credits include: the overwhelmingly popular “Sci-Fi Action Movie in Space” (Defiant Theatre, 2002), “Godbaby” (Defiant Theatre, 2000), “The Best Man” (Remy Bummpo Theatre Company, 2006), “State of the Union” (Strawdog Theatre Company, 2010), “Life Is A Dream” (Vitalist Theatre, 2011), and as Richard III in “Kill Shakespeare” (Strawdog Theatre Company, 2013). After more than 40 years in Chicago, Hellman relocated to St Louis, where he continued to perform in local community theater. He was born in Granite City, IL, where his parents owned and operated a popular women's clothing store, Helman's. He graduated from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University with a concentration in advertising followed by an advanced degree in Communications at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He is preceded in death by his parents, Morris and Reeva Helman, and his closest friend Barry Freedman. He is survived by his brother Howard Helman (Phyllis), of Redondo Beach, CA, numerous cousins and theater friends all over the country. His friend group, locally and around the country, supported him during his illness: Johnny Heller, Don Rubin, Barbara Weiner, Allen Levin, Marshall Dyer, Barry Murov, Hedy Ehrlich, Ava Ehrlich and a close group of cousins. |