**Helen Broderick (1891-1959)** was an American actress, renowned for her incisive supporting roles in classic Hollywood cinema. Her career particularly flourished in the 1930s, where she specialized in portraying sharp-tongued, witty, often cynical but always memorable characters who provided comedic counterpoint or the "voice of reason" in comedies and musicals.

Celebrated for her scene-stealing ability, Broderick is particularly known for her appearances alongside Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Among her most significant films are classics such as **_Top Hat_** (1935), where she plays the protagonist's outspoken friend, **_The Gay Divorcee_** (1934), and **_Swing Time_** (1936). Her distinctive style and screen presence made her an icon of supporting roles, capable of leaving an indelible mark.