Sandy Martin
Sandy Martin

Sandy Martin

Born: March 3, 1949 (77 years)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

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.

Movies as Actor (45)
The Invisible Raptor

The Invisible Raptor

as Henrietta McCluckskey

Dec 6, 2024

Mosquito

Mosquito

as Annie

May 7, 2022

Luca

Luca

as Grandma Paguro (voice)

Jun 17, 2021

Dumbo

Dumbo

as Verna

Mar 27, 2019

The Head Thieves

The Head Thieves

as Judy Castillo

Dec 14, 2018

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

as Momma Dixon

Dec 1, 2017

Stars Are Already Dead

Stars Are Already Dead

as Grandma

Jan 1, 2016

Some Kind of Beautiful

Some Kind of Beautiful

as Susan Vale

Nov 6, 2014

Lovelace

Lovelace

as Ticket Lady

Aug 8, 2013

Ass Backwards

Ass Backwards

as Qwen

Jan 21, 2013

Seven Psychopaths

Seven Psychopaths

as Tommy's Mother (uncredited)

Oct 12, 2012

Sunset Stories

Sunset Stories

as Stu

Mar 10, 2012

A Very Sunny Christmas

A Very Sunny Christmas

as Mrs. McDonald

Nov 17, 2009

My Suicide

My Suicide

as Mrs. Ellis

Feb 7, 2009

Marley & Me

Marley & Me

as Lori

Dec 25, 2008

Adam & Steve

Adam & Steve

as Biker Chick

Apr 24, 2005

Napoleon Dynamite

Napoleon Dynamite

as Grandma

Jun 11, 2004

Stranger Inside

Stranger Inside

as Mrs. Johnny Cochran

Jun 23, 2001

One Night at McCool's

One Night at McCool's

as Bingo Vendor Woman

Apr 19, 2001

Marlene

Marlene

as Louella Parsons

Mar 9, 2000

Jawbreaker

Jawbreaker

as Nurse

Jan 30, 1999

They Come at Night

They Come at Night

as Hazel

Sep 16, 1998

Krippendorf's Tribe

Krippendorf's Tribe

as Nurse

Feb 27, 1998

On the Line

On the Line

as Bartender #1

Jan 15, 1998

Sparkler

Sparkler

as Ed

Oct 1, 1997

Female Perversions

Female Perversions

as Trudy

Nov 21, 1996

Speed

Speed

as Bartender

Jun 9, 1994

China Moon

China Moon

as Gun Saleswoman

Mar 4, 1994

Prison Stories: Women on the Inside

Prison Stories: Women on the Inside

as Counselor Pennell

Jan 26, 1991

Testing Dirty

Testing Dirty

Oct 18, 1990

Little Girl Lost

Little Girl Lost

as Violet Young

Apr 25, 1988

The Gambler: The Legend Continues

The Gambler: The Legend Continues

as Mrs. Dickey

Nov 22, 1987

Barfly

Barfly

as Janice

Sep 2, 1987

Daddy

Daddy

as Ultrasound Receptionist

Apr 14, 1987

Vendetta

Vendetta

as Kay Butler

Sep 12, 1986

Extremities

Extremities

as Officer Sudow

Aug 22, 1986

Real Genius

Real Genius

as Mrs. Meredith

Aug 7, 1985

Carpool

Carpool

as Peggy Ryan

Oct 5, 1983

48 Hrs.

48 Hrs.

as Policewoman

Dec 7, 1982

One Shoe Makes it Murder

One Shoe Makes it Murder

as Gloria

Nov 6, 1982

Farrell: For the People

Farrell: For the People

as Newswoman

Oct 18, 1982

The Patricia Neal Story

The Patricia Neal Story

as 1st Woman

Dec 8, 1981

Sizzle

Sizzle

as Freda's Assistant

Nov 29, 1981

The Gift of Love

The Gift of Love

as Jan's Mother

Dec 8, 1978

False Face

False Face

as Sandy

Mar 4, 1977

TV Shows as Actor (44)
Shooter

Shooter

as Adele Poole

Nov 15, 2016

Transparent

Transparent

as Sandy

Sep 26, 2014

Playing House

Playing House

as Mary Pat Caruso

Apr 29, 2014

Mom

Mom

as Lillian

Sep 23, 2013

Wander Over Yonder

Wander Over Yonder

as Dorothy (voice)

Sep 13, 2013

Ray Donovan

Ray Donovan

as Sandy Patrick

Jun 30, 2013

Bravest Warriors

Bravest Warriors

as Dolores (voice)

Nov 8, 2012

The New Normal

The New Normal

as Miss Pepper

Sep 10, 2012

Perception

Perception

as Shirley (Homeless Woman)

Jul 9, 2012

Lab Rats

Lab Rats

as Greta

Feb 27, 2012

Napoleon Dynamite

Napoleon Dynamite

as Grandma (voice)

Jan 15, 2012

2 Broke Girls

2 Broke Girls

as Ms. Pyle

Sep 19, 2011

Shameless

Shameless

as Doctor

Jan 9, 2011

Rizzoli & Isles

Rizzoli & Isles

as Kendra Dee

Jul 12, 2010

Parenthood

Parenthood

as Dog Breeder

Mar 2, 2010

Make It or Break It

Make It or Break It

as Marge

Jun 22, 2009

Hot Sluts

Hot Sluts

as Jackie

May 26, 2009

Saving Grace

Saving Grace

as Sister Laura Marie

Jul 23, 2007

Big Love

Big Love

as Selma Greene

Mar 12, 2006

The Unit

The Unit

as Woman with Cane

Mar 7, 2006

My Name Is Earl

My Name Is Earl

as Joy's Grandma

Sep 20, 2005

Weeds

Weeds

as Doctor

Aug 7, 2005

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

as Mac's Mom, Mrs. Mac

Aug 4, 2005

The Closer

The Closer

as Mrs. Wallingham

Jun 13, 2005

Grey's Anatomy

Grey's Anatomy

as Sally

Mar 27, 2005

Desperate Housewives

Desperate Housewives

as Woman

Oct 3, 2004

CSI: NY

CSI: NY

as Mrs. Collins

Sep 22, 2004

Nip/Tuck

Nip/Tuck

as Helen Holden

Jul 22, 2003

Without a Trace

Without a Trace

as Iris Healy

Sep 26, 2002

The Division

The Division

as Marriage Counselor

Jan 7, 2001

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

as Office Manager, Female Trucker

Oct 6, 2000

Strong Medicine

Strong Medicine

as Iris Rawlings

Jul 23, 2000

Sliders

Sliders

as Shirley Montana

Mar 22, 1995

ER

ER

as Sister Helen, Mrs. Zarian

Sep 19, 1994

Police Story

Police Story

as Mona Ramsey

Oct 29, 1988

Matlock

Matlock

as Manager

Mar 3, 1986

The Twilight Zone

The Twilight Zone

as (segment "Nightcrawlers")

Sep 27, 1985

Hunter

Hunter

as Iris Balzer

Sep 18, 1984

The Duck Factory

The Duck Factory

as Waitress

Apr 12, 1984

Night Court

Night Court

as Woman in First Row of Gallery #2, Sister Mo

Jan 4, 1984

Scarecrow and Mrs. King

Scarecrow and Mrs. King

as Nurse Chapman

Oct 3, 1983

St. Elsewhere

St. Elsewhere

as Mrs. Lawson

Oct 26, 1982

Falcon Crest

Falcon Crest

as Criminal Institute Hospital Floor Nurse

Dec 4, 1981

Lou Grant

Lou Grant

as Gloria Lawder

Sep 20, 1977