Helen Shaver started acting professionally on stage at the age of 18. She has worked with some of Hollywood’s best in film television and theatre, including Martin Scorsese, John Schlesinger, Steven Spielberg, and Neil Simon.
As an actress, her performances have brought critical accolades and awards. Shaver has received a Theatreworld Award for her role in Jake’s Woman; a Genie for Best Actress for In Praise of Older Women; a Genie for Best Supporting Actress for Who Has Seen the Wind and We All Fall Down, and a Cable Ace nomination for her role in the Outer Limits episode “Sand Kings”. Other performances include In Praise of Older Women and Desert Hearts.
After 23 years in front of the camera, Helen made her directorial debut with The Outer Limits, directing various episodes including “What Will The Neighbors Think” and “Phobos Rising”. This led to Soul Food, Beggars and Choosers, Judging Amy, The OC, Dead Like Me, Joan of Arcadia, Just Cause and a The District/The Agency crossover episode.
Shaver made her long-form directing debut with the Emmy Award-winning Showtime feature film Summer’s End starring James Earl Jones, named Best Picture at the 1999 Chicago Film Festival. She earned a Leo nomination for Best Director, for Lithia and in 2001, directed Due East. In 2003, Shaver picked up a Gemini Award for Just Cause.
