Sandy Martin
Born: 1949-03-03 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Known For: Acting
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. (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.
Filmography
2024
- The Invisible Raptor as Henrietta McCluckskey
2022
- Mosquito as Annie
2021
- Luca as Grandma Paguro (voice)
2019
- Dumbo as Verna
2018
- The Head Thieves as Judy Castillo
2017
- Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri as Momma Dixon
2016
- Shooter as Adele Poole
- Stars Are Already Dead as Grandma
2015
- Some Kind of Beautiful as Susan Vale
2014
- Transparent as Sandy
- Playing House as Mary Pat Caruso
2013
- Mom as Lillian
- Ray Donovan as Sandy Patrick
- Wander Over Yonder as Dorothy (voice)
- Lovelace as Ticket Lady
- Ass Backwards as Qwen
2012
- Perception as Shirley (Homeless Woman)
- Lab Rats as Greta
- The New Normal as Miss Pepper
- Bravest Warriors as Dolores (voice)
- Seven Psychopaths as Tommy's Mother (uncredited)
- Napoleon Dynamite as Grandma
- Sunset Stories as Stu
2011
- Shameless as Doctor
- 2 Broke Girls as Ms. Pyle
2010
- Rizzoli & Isles as Kendra Dee
- Parenthood as Dog Breeder
2009
- Make It or Break It as Marge
- Hot Sluts as Jackie
- My Suicide as Mrs. Ellis
- A Very Sunny Christmas as Mrs. McDonald
2008
- Marley & Me as Lori
2007
- Saving Grace as Sister Laura Marie
2005
- Grey's Anatomy as Sally
- The Closer as Mrs. Wallingham
- It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia as Mac's Mom
- Weeds as Doctor
- My Name Is Earl as Joy's Grandma
- Adam & Steve as Biker Chick
2004
- Desperate Housewives as Woman
- CSI: NY as Mrs. Collins
- Napoleon Dynamite as Grandma
2003
- Nip/Tuck as Helen Holden
2002
- Without a Trace as Iris Healy
2001
- The Division as Marriage Counselor
- One Night at McCool's as Bingo Vendor Woman
- Stranger Inside as Mrs. Johnny Cochran
2000
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation as Office Manager
- Strong Medicine as Iris Rawlings
- Marlene as Louella Parsons
1999
- Jawbreaker as Nurse
1998
- Krippendorf's Tribe as Nurse
- On the Line as Bartender #1
- They Come at Night as Hazel
1997
- Sparkler as Ed
1996
- Female Perversions as Trudy
1995
- Sliders as Shirley Montana
1994
- ER as Sister Helen
- Speed as Bartender
- China Moon as Gun Saleswoman
1991
- Prison Stories: Women on the Inside as Counselor Pennell
1990
1988
- Police Story as Mona Ramsey
- Little Girl Lost as Violet Young
1987
- Barfly as Janice
- Daddy as Ultrasound Receptionist
- The Gambler: The Legend Continues as Mrs. Dickey
1986
- Matlock as Manager
- Extremities as Officer Sudow
- Vendetta as Kay Butler
1985
- The Twilight Zone as (segment "Nightcrawlers")
- Real Genius as Mrs. Meredith
1984
- Night Court as Woman in First Row of Gallery #2
- Hunter as Iris Balzer
- The Duck Factory as Waitress
1983
- Scarecrow and Mrs. King as Nurse Chapman
- Carpool as Peggy Ryan
1982
- St. Elsewhere as Mrs. Lawson
- 48 Hrs. as Policewoman
- Farrell: For the People as Newswoman
- One Shoe Makes it Murder as Gloria
1981
- Falcon Crest as Criminal Institute Hospital Floor Nurse
- Sizzle as Freda's Assistant
- The Patricia Neal Story as 1st Woman
1978
- The Gift of Love as Jan's Mother
1977
- Lou Grant as Gloria Lawder
- False Face as Sandy