Sandra Bernhard

Sandra Bernhard (born June 6, 1955 in Flint, Michigan) is an American actress, comedian, singer and author whose career has spanned more than four decades, earning her a reputation as a daring provocateur and a cult‑favorite across film, television, stage and music. She first broke into the entertainment world in the late 1970s with stand‑up comedy at The Comedy Store, where her sharp critiques of celebrity culture and politics caught the attention of producers and led to a spot on The Richard Pryor Show in 1977. Her film breakthrough arrived when Martin Scorsese cast her as the obsessive stalker Masha in The King of Comedy (1982), a performance that won the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress and cemented her status as a versatile character actress. Bernhard became a household name in the 1990s through her role as Nancy Bartlett Thomas on the hit ABC sitcom Roseanne, where she portrayed one of the first openly bisexual recurring characters on mainstream television, appearing in 33 episodes from 1991 to 1997. In addition to television, she has delivered memorable performances as Nurse Judy Kubrak in FX’s groundbreaking series Pose (2018‑2021) and as Nurse Cecily in the Apple TV+ drama Severance (2025). Beyond acting, Bernhard has released numerous comedy‑music albums such as I'm Your Woman, Excuses for Bad Behavior (Part One) and I'm Still Here… Damn It!, and she has authored three books that blend memoir, essays, and social commentary. Her stage work includes one‑woman shows like Without You, I'm Nothing, With You, I'm Not Much Better and Plan B from Outer Space, which showcase her blend of humor, performance art, and outspoken political advocacy. Recognized for her candidness, she has been both praised and criticized for controversial remarks, yet she remains a steadfast supporter of LGBTQ rights, identifying as bisexual and using her platform to champion marginalized voices. With a career that includes guest appearances on talk shows, voice work, and a partnership with longtime companion Sara Switzer, Bernhard continues to influence pop culture while maintaining an unapologetically bold creative voice.