Sandy Martin
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.
Known For

Grey's Anatomy

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation

Shameless

Desperate Housewives

Without a Trace

ER

ER
All Movies (45)
- The Invisible Raptor2024 · as Henrietta McCluckskey
- Mosquito2022 · as Annie
- Luca2021 · as Grandma Paguro (voice)
- Dumbo2019 · as Verna
- The Head Thieves2018 · as Judy Castillo
- Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri2017 · as Momma Dixon
- Stars Are Already Dead2016 · as Grandma
- Some Kind of Beautiful2014 · as Susan Vale
- Lovelace2013 · as Ticket Lady
- Ass Backwards2013 · as Qwen
- Seven Psychopaths2012 · as Tommy's Mother (uncredited)
- Sunset Stories2012 · as Stu
- A Very Sunny Christmas2009 · as Mrs. McDonald
- My Suicide2009 · as Mrs. Ellis
- Marley & Me2008 · as Lori
- Adam & Steve2005 · as Biker Chick
- Napoleon Dynamite2004 · as Grandma
- Stranger Inside2001 · as Mrs. Johnny Cochran
- One Night at McCool's2001 · as Bingo Vendor Woman
- Marlene2000 · as Louella Parsons
- Jawbreaker1999 · as Nurse
- They Come at Night1998 · as Hazel
- Krippendorf's Tribe1998 · as Nurse
- On the Line1998 · as Bartender #1
- Sparkler1997 · as Ed
- Female Perversions1996 · as Trudy
- Speed1994 · as Bartender
- China Moon1994 · as Gun Saleswoman
- Prison Stories: Women on the Inside1991 · as Counselor Pennell
- Testing Dirty1990
- Little Girl Lost1988 · as Violet Young
- The Gambler: The Legend Continues1987 · as Mrs. Dickey
- Barfly1987 · as Janice
- Daddy1987 · as Ultrasound Receptionist
- Vendetta1986 · as Kay Butler
- Extremities1986 · as Officer Sudow
- Real Genius1985 · as Mrs. Meredith
- Carpool1983 · as Peggy Ryan
- 48 Hrs.1982 · as Policewoman
- One Shoe Makes it Murder1982 · as Gloria
- Farrell: For the People1982 · as Newswoman
- The Patricia Neal Story1981 · as 1st Woman
- Sizzle1981 · as Freda's Assistant
- The Gift of Love1978 · as Jan's Mother
- False Face1977 · as Sandy
All TV Shows (48)
- Shooter2016 · as Adele Poole
- Transparent2014 · as Sandy
- Playing House2014 · as Mary Pat Caruso
- Mom2013 · as Lillian
- Wander Over Yonder2013 · as Dorothy (voice)
- Ray Donovan2013 · as Sandy Patrick
- Bravest Warriors2012 · as Dolores (voice)
- The New Normal2012 · as Miss Pepper
- Perception2012 · as Shirley (Homeless Woman)
- Lab Rats2012 · as Greta
- Napoleon Dynamite2012 · as Grandma (voice)
- 2 Broke Girls2011 · as Ms. Pyle
- Shameless2011 · as Doctor
- Rizzoli & Isles2010 · as Kendra Dee
- Parenthood2010 · as Dog Breeder
- Make It or Break It2009 · as Marge
- Hot Sluts2009 · as Jackie
- Saving Grace2007 · as Sister Laura Marie
- Big Love2006 · as Selma Greene
- The Unit2006 · as Woman with Cane
- My Name Is Earl2005 · as Joy's Grandma
- Weeds2005 · as Doctor
- It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia2005 · as Mac's Mom
- It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia2005 · as Mrs. Mac
- The Closer2005 · as Mrs. Wallingham
- Grey's Anatomy2005 · as Sally
- Desperate Housewives2004 · as Woman
- CSI: NY2004 · as Mrs. Collins
- Nip/Tuck2003 · as Helen Holden
- Without a Trace2002 · as Iris Healy
- The Division2001 · as Marriage Counselor
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation2000 · as Office Manager
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation2000 · as Female Trucker
- Strong Medicine2000 · as Iris Rawlings
- Sliders1995 · as Shirley Montana
- ER1994 · as Sister Helen
- ER1994 · as Mrs. Zarian
- Police Story1988 · as Mona Ramsey
- Matlock1986 · as Manager
- The Twilight Zone1985 · as (segment "Nightcrawlers")
- Hunter1984 · as Iris Balzer
- The Duck Factory1984 · as Waitress
- Night Court1984 · as Woman in First Row of Gallery #2
- Night Court1984 · as Sister Mo
- Scarecrow and Mrs. King1983 · as Nurse Chapman
- St. Elsewhere1982 · as Mrs. Lawson
- Falcon Crest1981 · as Criminal Institute Hospital Floor Nurse
- Lou Grant1977 · as Gloria Lawder