Background
Helberg was born in Frankfurt, Germany, to Tonia (née Altman) and Sam Helberg. They soon emigrated to the United States where his father, originally a barber, eventually became a successful real estate developer in Toledo, Ohio, where Helberg grew up.
Education
He later moved to New York where he studied acting with Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse.
Career
Sandy did stand-up and was part of an improv group that worked clubs in Greenwich Village. Acting in several comedy films, in particular three Mel Brooks films High Anxiety, History of the World: Participant 1 and Spaceballs, he starred in the comedy films The Hollywood Knights and Up the Creek. Sandy wrote and starred in short lived 1977 television series The Lorenzo and Henrietta Music Show and the 1979 Columbia Broadcasting System television series Flatbush.
He has made numerous guest appearances on television shows, including Trapper John, Doctor of Medicine, Remington Steele, Newhart, The Jeffersons, M*A*South*H, Married.. with Children, The Wonder Years, Night Court, Fernwood Tonight, Knight Rider, Too Close for Comfort, Get a Life, House Calls, Cybill, and Days of Our Lives among others
Sandy also co-starred in the National Broadcasting Company miniseries, Harold Robbins" 79 Park Avenue and Columbia Broadcasting System movie of the week, More Wild Wild West. Sandy was the original Gopher Smith in The Love Boat pilot.
Membership
He later moved to Los Angeles, becoming an original member of the Los Angeles improv group, The Groundlings.