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You know what, I'm gonna start dating her [Helene] even harder.

—Michael Scott to Pam Beesly, The Lover

Helene Beesly is Pam's mom, played by Shannon Cochran in "Sexual Harassment" and subsequently played by Linda Purl in episodes starting with "Niagara."

Quick Answers

Who are the actresses who played Helene Beesly, Pam's mom, on 'The Office'? toggle section
Helene Beesly, Pam Beesly's mother in 'The Office', was played by Shannon Cochran in Season 2, Episode 2. The role was later assumed by Linda Purl from Season 6 onwards.
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What is the relationship between Helene Beesly and Jim in 'The Office'? toggle section
In 'The Office', Helene Beesly is the mother of Pam Beesly. She attends the wedding of her daughter Pam to Jim Halpert in Niagara during Season 6. Jim and Helene's relationship is primarily through Pam, as Jim is Helene's son-in-law.
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How does Helene Beesly react to Pam and Roy's wedding in 'The Office'? toggle section
At Pam Beesly's wedding in 'The Office', her mother, Helene Beesly, displays a bitter mood due to her recent divorce. She even humorously suggests to Pam that she could still back out of the wedding. Despite this, she begins a romantic involvement with Michael Scott, sharing a dance and a hotel room with him.
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What is the character of Helene Beesly like in 'The Office'? toggle section
Helene Beesly, played initially by Shannon Cochran and subsequently by Linda Purl, is a character in 'The Office'. She's Pam Beesly's mother and is introduced in the 'Sexual Harassment' episode of Season 2. During a visit to the office, it's revealed that Pam has talked about her colleague, Jim, with her mother. Helene also briefly dates Michael Scott.
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What role does Helene Beesly play in the storyline of 'The Office'? toggle section
Helene Beesly, played by Shannon Cochran and Linda Purl, is Pam Beesly's mother in 'The Office'. She visits Pam at the office in Season 2, Episode 2. Following her divorce, she attends Pam and Jim's wedding in Season 6, where she begins dating Michael Scott, a fact disclosed in 'The Lover' episode, leading to a dramatic response from Pam.
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Season 2[]

HeleneBeesly1

Helene in "Sexual Harassment"

Helene is upbeat, kind, and is interested in Jim. She, Pam, and Roy go to dinner. ("Sexual Harassment") Later, she and Pam talk to each other after Jim tells Pam that he loves her. ("Casino Night")

Helene talks to Pam over the phone about Pam and Roy's Wedding ("Dwight's Speech")

Season 4[]

Jim jokingly threatens to Pam that he will give Pam's Mom's details to Michael, who is in search of a prospective date. These details include her name, erroneously written as "Rita" and details "Klondike 507". ("Chair Model")

Season 5[]

Helene and William Beesly separate to the dismay of Pam. ("Stress Relief")

Season 6[]

Hurt by the divorce, Helene shows a bit of bitterness when comedically telling Pam that its not too late to back out of the wedding. She is not upbeat and is not as fun as she was during season two. Still she is as always supportive and inclusive with her daughter. ("Niagara")

Later, she starts to date Michael Scott, making Pam angry and Pam begins to dislike them both. ("The Lover") However, Pam warms up to the idea and goes on a double date with them. During the date, Michael learns Helene's age and breaks up with her on her birthday. ("Double Date") Pam then slaps Michael after he says that, "she came on to me [him]."

Helene visits Pam in the hospital after their baby is born. There she has a brief, awkward encounter with Michael. ("The Delivery")

Season 7[]

Upon speculating that a cold sore might be a sign he has herpes, Michael goes on a field trip to visit all of his former lovers. He mistakes her for an old lady at the park however finally finds her. Michael tries to analyze their relationship but Helene reminds Michael that he romanticizes and rejects that they ever had a good relationship. Michael gets upset and leaves calling her a "jerk". He never gets the chance to tell her he might have herpes. ("Sex Ed")

Helene, who watches Jim and Pam's daughter Cece when they are at work, takes Cece to a doctor when she gets a fever. She accidentally locks her in her car and calls Jim to tell him. Jim panics and drives off to go help and accidentally leaves Michael behind at the gas station they were at. ("The Search")

Helene plays a sexy nurse in Michael's movie. It clearly shocks Pam however she lies and says the movie is really good. ("Threat Level Midnight")

Season 9[]

When Jim and Pam are getting ready to attend Roy's wedding, Jim tells Cece to go inside who was playing in the yard, telling her "grandma almost has breakfast ready". Pam yells "Thanks Mom!" through the front door as she leaves implying that Helene is inside and is going to look after Cece and Phillip while Jim and Pam are gone. ("Roy's Wedding")

Months later, Helene called Pam at work to inform her that Cece had been infected with head lice, unwittingly revealing to the entire office that Pam had infected them with lice. ("Lice")

Behind the scenes[]

  • When the show wanted to bring Pam's mom back to the show, the original actor Shannon Cochran was on a theater contract and was unavailable. They recast the role with Linda Purl.[1]:45:58

Appearances[]

Episodes 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28
Season 2 M
Season 6 M
Season 7 V
Season 9 V
* - deleted scene • V - voice only • M - mentioned only • C - credit only • P - photo only • A - archive footage

References[]

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