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Sandy Martin
Actor

Sandy Martin

3 Mar 1949Born
77Age
91Credits
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USABirthplace

Biography

Sandy Martin began her acting career at the age of 15 touring the country with Martha Raye in Good-bye Charley. After several East Coast touring productions she settled in New York City. Martin began working in many of New York City's esteemed theatres: Lincoln Center, La Mama, Ensemble Studio Theatre, Playwrights Horizon, The American Place Theatre acting in over 70 stage productions.

After their enormous hit with the stage play, Hothouse by Megan Terry, Sandy wrote the screen adaptation which she packaged with her good friends, Amy Madigan and Ed Harris, both whom she acted with in the award winning world premiere of, Prairie Avenue by Edward Allen Baker, both in New York City.

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(at Est.) & Los Angeles's Callboard Theatre.

Esparza/Katz Prod. quickly acquired Hothouse, and thus began a long working relationship with Moctesume Esparza and Robert Katz that lasted over ten years. Starting as a Development Executive, Sandy worked her way up to being the Associate Producer of the company, working on the critically acclaimed feature films: Milagro Bean Field Wars and Selena. She was also Associate Producer of Gettysburg for Turner and Bowl Of Beings starring the famed comedy troupe, Culture Clash for Great Performances on PBS.

During her tenure with Esparza/Katz Prod., Martin wrote several treatments and screenplays; Underdogs, which was optioned by Avnet/Kerner (Risky Business, Fried Green Tomatoes), Thirteenth Duke, commissioned by Marchelo Danon (Producer of the original, La Cage aux Folles), The James Dean Story (Mini-series - Marvin Worth Prod.), she also co-wrote a musical revival of Reefer Madness with Dan Gerrity - directed by the late, great Ron Link. Martin penned Ms. Prez a screenplay that she co-authored with Patrick O'Neal about the first African American Woman President.

Martin produced and directed two documentaries. The Great Meddler about the founding of the American Society for the Protection Of Cruelty To Animals) and The United Farm Workers - A Tribute to Caesar Chavez. The short, Lovely Rita, stars her friend, Cch Pounder - (The Shield) Martin was also President of Edward James Olmos's production company, Olmos Prod. at ABC for four years in early 2000.

Thrilled to go back to acting, Martin was very happy to score a recurring role on HBO's drama, Big Love as the creepy he/she Selma Green, as well as the comedy, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, as Mac's Mom. Sandy has guest starred on numerous hit shows: CSI, Nip Tuck, Shameless, Saving Grace, Weeds, Cold Case, 2 Broke Girls, Parenthood, The Closer, Rizzoli & Isles etc. She looks forward to continuing her role as Grandma from Napoleon Dynamite for Fox's animated version of the 2004 mega indie hit.

She played the lead in Tennessee William's last full-length play; A House Not Meant To Stand in it's critically acclaimed West Coast Premiere at the Fountain Theatre in 2011. Her performance was nominated for an Ovation Award - Best Female Lead in 2011.

Known for

Filmography

The 80 most recent of 91 credits.

  1. 2024The Invisible RaptorFilm: Henrietta McCluckskey
  2. 2022MosquitoFilm: Annie
  3. 2021LucaFilm: Grandma Paguro (voice)
  4. 2019DumboFilm: Verna
  5. 2018The Head ThievesFilm: Judy Castillo
  6. 2017Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, MissouriFilm: Momma Dixon
  7. 2016ShooterSeries: Adele Poole (1 episode)
  8. 2016Stars Are Already DeadFilm: Grandma
  9. 2014Some Kind of BeautifulFilm: Susan Vale
  10. 2014TransparentSeries: Sandy (2 episodes)
  11. 2014Playing HouseSeries: Mary Pat Caruso (6 episodes)
  12. 2013MomSeries: Lillian (1 episode)
  13. 2013Wander Over YonderSeries: Dorothy (voice) (1 episode)
  14. 2013LovelaceFilm: Ticket Lady
  15. 2013Ray DonovanSeries: Sandy Patrick (4 episodes)
  16. 2013Ass BackwardsFilm: Qwen
  17. 2012Bravest WarriorsSeries: Dolores (voice) (1 episode)
  18. 2012Seven PsychopathsFilm: Tommy's Mother (uncredited)
  19. 2012The New NormalSeries: Miss Pepper (1 episode)
  20. 2012PerceptionSeries: Shirley (Homeless Woman) (1 episode)
  21. 2012Sunset StoriesFilm: Stu
  22. 2012Lab RatsSeries: Greta (1 episode)
  23. 2012Napoleon DynamiteSeries: Grandma (voice) (6 episodes)
  24. 20112 Broke GirlsSeries: Ms. Pyle (1 episode)
  25. 2011ShamelessSeries: Doctor (1 episode)
  26. 2010Rizzoli & IslesSeries: Kendra Dee (1 episode)
  27. 2010ParenthoodSeries: Dog Breeder (1 episode)
  28. 2009A Very Sunny ChristmasFilm: Mrs. McDonald
  29. 2009Make It or Break ItSeries: Marge (1 episode)
  30. 2009Hot SlutsSeries: Jackie (5 episodes)
  31. 2009My SuicideFilm: Mrs. Ellis
  32. 2008Marley & MeFilm: Lori
  33. 2008Lower LearningFilm: Olympia Parpadelle
  34. 2008The Great Buck HowardFilm: Female Hotel Worker
  35. 2007Saving GraceSeries: Sister Laura Marie (1 episode)
  36. 2006Big LoveSeries: Selma Greene (10 episodes)
  37. 2006The UnitSeries: Woman with Cane (1 episode)
  38. 2005My Name Is EarlSeries: Joy's Grandma (1 episode)
  39. 2005WeedsSeries: Doctor (1 episode)
  40. 2005It's Always Sunny in PhiladelphiaSeries: Mac's Mom, Mrs. Mac (8 episodes)
  41. 2005The CloserSeries: Mrs. Wallingham (1 episode)
  42. 2005Adam & SteveFilm: Biker Chick
  43. 2005Grey's AnatomySeries: Sally (2 episodes)
  44. 2004Desperate HousewivesSeries: Woman (1 episode)
  45. 2004CSI: NYSeries: Mrs. Collins (1 episode)
  46. 2004Napoleon DynamiteFilm: Grandma
  47. 2003Nip/TuckSeries: Helen Holden (1 episode)
  48. 2002Without a TraceSeries: Iris Healy (1 episode)
  49. 2001Stranger InsideFilm: Mrs. Johnny Cochran
  50. 2001One Night at McCool'sFilm: Bingo Vendor Woman
  51. 2001The DivisionSeries: Marriage Counselor (1 episode)
  52. 2000CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationSeries: Office Manager, Female Trucker (1 episode)
  53. 2000Strong MedicineSeries: Iris Rawlings (1 episode)
  54. 2000MarleneFilm: Louella Parsons
  55. 1999JawbreakerFilm: Nurse
  56. 1998They Come at NightFilm: Hazel
  57. 1998Krippendorf's TribeFilm: Nurse
  58. 1998On the LineFilm: Bartender #1
  59. 1997SparklerFilm: Ed
  60. 1996Female PerversionsFilm: Trudy
  61. 1995SlidersSeries: Shirley Montana (1 episode)
  62. 1994ERSeries: Sister Helen, Mrs. Zarian (1 episode)
  63. 1994SpeedFilm: Bartender
  64. 1994China MoonFilm: Gun Saleswoman
  65. 1991Prison Stories: Women on the InsideFilm: Counselor Pennell
  66. 1990Testing DirtyFilm
  67. 1988Police StorySeries: Mona Ramsey (1 episode)
  68. 1988Little Girl LostFilm: Violet Young
  69. 1987The Gambler: The Legend ContinuesFilm: Mrs. Dickey
  70. 1987BarflyFilm: Janice
  71. 1987DaddyFilm: Ultrasound Receptionist
  72. 1986VendettaFilm: Kay Butler
  73. 1986ExtremitiesFilm: Officer Sudow
  74. 1986MatlockSeries: Manager (1 episode)
  75. 1985The Twilight ZoneSeries: (segment "Nightcrawlers") (1 episode)
  76. 1985Real GeniusFilm: Mrs. Meredith
  77. 1984HunterSeries: Iris Balzer (1 episode)
  78. 1984The Duck FactorySeries: Waitress (1 episode)
  79. 1984Night CourtSeries: Woman in First Row of Gallery #2, Sister Mo (1 episode)
  80. 1983CarpoolFilm: Peggy Ryan

Biography and credits from TMDB. This website uses TMDB and the TMDB APIs but is not endorsed, certified, or otherwise approved by TMDB.