Sandy Martin
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. (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
Credits
- 2024 ยทThe Invisible Raptoras Henrietta McCluckskey
- 2022 ยทMosquitoas Annie
- 2021 ยทLucaas Grandma Paguro (voice)
- 2019 ยทDumboas Verna the Secretary
- 2018 ยทThe Head Thievesas Judy Castillo
- 2017 ยทThree Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missourias Mrs. Dixon
- 2016 ยทShooteras Adele Poole
- 2016 ยทStars Are Already Deadas Grandma
- 2015 ยทSome Kind of Beautifulas Susan Vale
- 2014 ยทPlaying Houseas Mary Pat Caruso
- 2013 ยทMomas Lillian
- 2013 ยทWander Over Yonderas Dorothy (voice)
- 2013 ยทLovelaceas Ticket Lady
- 2013 ยทRay Donovanas Sandy Patrick
- 2013 ยทAss Backwardsas Qwen
- 2012 ยทBravest Warriorsas Dolores (voice)
- 2012 ยทThe New Normalas Miss Pepper
- 2012 ยทPerceptionas Shirley (Homeless Woman)
- 2012 ยทSunset Storiesas Stu
- 2012 ยทLab Ratsas Greta
- 2012 ยทNapoleon Dynamiteas
- 2011 ยทMy Suicideas Mrs. Ellis
- 2011 ยท2 Broke Girlsas Ms. Pyle
- 2011 ยทShamelessas Doctor
- 2010 ยทRizzoli & Islesas Kendra Dee
- 2009 ยทA Very Sunny Christmasas Mrs. McDonald
- 2009 ยทMake It or Break Itas Marge
- 2009 ยทHot Slutsas Jackie
- 2008 ยทMarley & Meas Lori
- 2005 ยทMy Name Is Earlas Joy's Grandma
- 2005 ยทWeedsas Doctor
- 2005 ยทIt's Always Sunny in Philadelphiaas Mac's Mom
- 2005 ยทIt's Always Sunny in Philadelphiaas Mrs. Mac
- 2005 ยทThe Closeras Mrs. Wallingham
- 2005 ยทAdam & Steveas Biker Chick
- 2005 ยทGrey's Anatomyas Sally
- 2004 ยทDesperate Housewivesas Woman
- 2004 ยทCSI: NYas Mrs. Collins
- 2004 ยทNapoleon Dynamiteas Grandma
- 2002 ยทWithout a Traceas Iris Healy
- 2001 ยทStranger Insideas Mrs. Johnny Cochran
- 2001 ยทOne Night at McCool'sas Bingo Vendor Woman
- 2000 ยทCSI: Crime Scene Investigationas Office Manager
- 2000 ยทCSI: Crime Scene Investigationas Female Trucker
- 2000 ยทStrong Medicineas Iris Rawlings
- 2000 ยทMarleneas Louella Parsons
- 1999 ยทJawbreakeras Nurse
- 1998 ยทKrippendorf's Tribeas Nurse
- 1997 ยทFemale Perversionsas Trudy
- 1995 ยทSlidersas Shirley Montana
- 1994 ยทERas Sister Helen
- 1994 ยทERas Mrs. Zarian
- 1994 ยทSpeedas Bartender
- 1994 ยทChina Moonas Gun Saleswoman
- 1991 ยทPrison Stories: Women on the Insideas Counselor Pennell
- 1990 ยทTesting Dirtyas
- 1988 ยทLittle Girl Lostas Violet Young
- 1987 ยทThe Gambler, Part III: The Legend Continuesas Mrs. Dickey
- 1987 ยทBarflyas Janice
- 1987 ยทDaddyas Ultrasound Receptionist
- 1986 ยทVendettaas Kay Butler
- 1986 ยทExtremitiesas Officer Sudow
- 1985 ยทThe Twilight Zoneas
- 1985 ยทReal Geniusas Mrs. Meredith
- 1984 ยทHunteras Iris Balzer
- 1984 ยทNight Courtas Woman in First Row of Gallery #2
- 1984 ยทNight Courtas Sister Mo
- 1983 ยทCarpoolas Peggy Ryan
- 1982 ยท48 Hrs.as Policewoman
- 1982 ยทOne Shoe Makes it Murderas Gloria
- 1982 ยทFarrell: For the Peopleas Newswoman
- 1981 ยทThe Patricia Neal Storyas 1st Woman
- 1981 ยทFalcon Crestas Criminal Institute Hospital Floor Nurse
- 1981 ยทSizzleas Freda's Assistant
- 1978 ยทThe Gift of Loveas Jan's Mother
- 1977 ยทScalpelas Sandy