Mary Scheer

Mary Scheer (born March 19, 1963) is an American actress, comedian, screenwriter, and producer whose career spans over three decades of television, film, and voice work. Raised in Detroit, Michigan, she honed her comedic timing at The Groundlings before becoming one of the nine original cast members of Mad TV in 1995, where she created memorable characters such as the chain‑smoking Mrs. Jewel Barone and the flamboyant Cabana Chat host Dixie Wetsworth. During her tenure she also delivered spot‑on impressions of public figures ranging from Janet Reno to Barbra Streisand, showcasing a versatility that would become her trademark. Scheer remained on Mad TV through three seasons, even performing while visibly pregnant, and left the show in 1998 after establishing a reputation for fearless, character‑driven comedy. Mad TV not only solidified her place in sketch comedy history but also opened doors to a diverse array of guest spots on shows like Reno 911! and Primetime Glick.

After Mad TV, Scheer transitioned seamlessly into both live‑action and animated projects, most notably playing the overprotective mother Marissa Benson on the Nickelodeon hit iCarly and the grumpy camp director Gladys on Disney Channel’s Bunk’d. Her voice‑acting résumé includes the zany Alice the Zookeeper on The Penguins of Madagascar, every female role on Spike TV’s game show MXC, and recurring parts on Family Guy and King of the Hill. In addition to performing, she took on production responsibilities, serving as supervising producer for MXC in its fourth season. Scheer’s personal life mirrors her professional dedication; she married Bob Bush in 1992, and the couple have two children, daughter Abigail, an actress and opera singer, and son Nate. Her continued presence across mediums underscores a commitment to humor that resonates with audiences of all ages.