As a successful performer, actress, singer and author for five decades in the industry, Sandra Bernhard is an American icon that has blazed a trail for many who have come after her.
In 2025, this “OG” comedy queen can be seen on the big screen in the A24 feature film, Marty Supreme alongside Timothée Chalamet, directed by Josh Safdie. On the smaller screen, she starred as a guest judge in the hugely popular RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV) when she wasn’t appearing in season two of both Survival of the Thickest (Netflix) opposite Michelle Buteau, and the cinematic fan favorite Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Disney +) based on the highly acclaimed fantasy book series.
Prior to that, in 2024, Sandra starred in the Page Hurwitz Netflix documentary film, Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution and the CBS comedy series So Help Me Todd. Before that, Bernhard co-starred on season 11 of the hugely popular FX Television/Ryan Murphy series American Horror Story with this particular installation AHS:NYC filmed in her adopted hometown of New York City.
Bernhard also appeared as a series regular in season three of the Emmy Award winning FX Television/Ryan Murphy show POSE reprising her role as brassy but caring Nurse Judy Kubrak, who works with H.I.V./AIDS patients. Previous to that, she also did a special guest appearance on American Horror Story: Apocalypseas a Satanic priestess.
In addition to being named one of Comedy Central’s top 100 greatest standup comedians of all-time, Sandra has earned legendary status as one of Hollywood’s pre-eminent female performers, as demonstrated by her hit set on “Stand Out: An LGBTQ+ Celebration” at Netflix is a Joke in 2022. Sandra is also a pioneer of the one-woman show, bringing a unique and raucous mix of cabaret, stand-up, rock-n-roll, and social commentary to her live stage performances. She recently celebrated completing the 18th year of her iconic annual holiday shows at Joe’s Pub in New York City, while also continuing to tour and perform live throughout the country and overseas.
Extremely notable past live stage shows, which she has performed both on and off-Broadway, include Without You I’m Nothing, I’m Still Here, Dammit, Everything Bad and Beautiful, and #blessed.
Bernhard’s film credits include a starring role in Martin Scorsese’s The King of Comedy opposite Robert De Niro and Jerry Lewis, for which she was awarded Best Supporting Actress by the National Society of Film Critics, Track 29, Hudson Hawk, Dinner Rush, and the live performance film Without You I’m Nothing. Past television credits include Two Broke Girls, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Broad City, Difficult People, You’re the Worst, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Will & Grace, The Sopranos, The Larry Sanders Show and Roseanne.
Over the years, Sandra made roughly 30 guest appearances on NBC’s Late Night with David Letterman. Music albums include I'm Your Woman (Polygram, 1986), Excuses for Bad Behavior (Epic, 1994) and the world music album Whatever It Takes (Mi5, 2009). She’s written three books: May I Kiss You on the Lips, Miss Sandra?, Confessions of a Pretty Lady and Love, Love and Love.
Sandra is currently in her ninth year hosting her weekly radio show “Sandyland” on SiriusXM’s Radio Andy channel 102, for which she won a broadcasting Gracie Award.
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