Sandy Martin | |
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 Martin at the 90th Academy Awards | |
| Born | |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1965–present |
Sandy Martin is an American actress, playwright, director, and producer. She is best known for her roles in the film Napoleon Dynamite and the TV series Big Love , It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia , and Ray Donovan .
 | This section of a biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification .(January 2023) |
Martin started her acting career at 15 years old; she is a founding member of several successful theatrical companies in New York City and Los Angeles. She adapted the screenplays of several theatrical plays, and served as associate producer of several TNT productions including the 1993 film Gettysburg .
Martin's television roles include playing Mickey Donovan's sister-in-law Sandy Patrick in Ray Donovan , elderly nun Sister Laura Marie on Saving Grace , a policewoman in 48 Hrs. , Mrs. Meredith in Real Genius , a dying burn victim in Nip/Tuck , Janice in Barfly , and Mrs. Mac in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia . She appeared in the films Defenseless , China Moon , Speed , Napoleon Dynamite , Hot Tamale , and Marley & Me . Martin portrayed Grandma Dynamite in Napoleon Dynamite and in the animated TV adaptation of the film. In Marley & Me, Martin played the woman who sold Marley as "Clearance Puppy". Martin portrayed the mother of Sam Rockwell's character, Officer Dixon, in 2017's Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri .
Martin's recent roles include portraying Verna The Secretary in Dumbo . According to Martin, she met Dumbo director Tim Burton back in the Beetlejuice days because her friend, Glenn Shadix, played Otho in the film. [1] The two reconnected after Ben Davis, director of photography for both Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and Dumbo, suggested Martin to Burton for the role of Verna. Martin also voiced Grandma Paguro in the Pixar film Luca .
In the HBO series Big Love , Martin's character, Selma Green, is the sibling of polygamous cult leader Roman Grant and first wife of Grant's rival polygamous cult leader, Hollis Green. The character of Green sparked much discussion on fan forums due to their masculine gender presentation and expression, and unusual relationship with their husband (who refers to Green as "Brother Selma"). [2]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Scalpel | Sandy | Film debut; Also known as: False Face |
| 2076 Olympiad | Shiela | ||
| 1982 | 48 Hrs. | Policewoman | |
| 1985 | Real Genius | Mrs. Meredith | |
| 1986 | Extremities | Officer Sudow | |
| Vendetta | Kay Butler | ||
| 1987 | Daddy | Ultrasound Receptionist | |
| Barfly | Janice | ||
| 1991 | Defenseless | Judge | |
| 1994 | China Moon | Gun Saleswoman | |
| Speed | Bartender | ||
| 1995 | Above Suspicion | Waitress | |
| 1996 | Female Perversions | Trudy | |
| 1997 | Sparkler | Ed | |
| 1998 | Krippendorf's Tribe | Nurse | |
| They Come at Night | Hazel | ||
| 1999 | Jawbreaker | Nurse | |
| 2000 | Marlene | Louella Parsons | |
| 2001 | One Night at McCool's | Bingo Vendor Woman | |
| 2004 | Napoleon Dynamite | Grandma Carlinda Dynamite | |
| 2005 | Adam & Steve | Biker Chick | |
| 2006 | Hot Tamale | Ed the Diner Cook | |
| 2008 | The Great Buck Howard | Female Hotel Worker | |
| Lower Learning | Olympia Parpadelle | ||
| Marley & Me | Lori | ||
| 2009 | Archie's Final Project | Mrs. Ellis | |
| 2010 | Beneath the Dark | Colleen | |
| Pickin' & Grinnin' | Aunt Katie | ||
| 2012 | Sunset Stories | Stu | |
| Seven Psychopaths | Tommy's Mother | Uncredited | |
| 2013 | Ass Backwards | Qwen | |
| Lovelace | Ticket Lady | ||
| 2014 | Some Kind of Beautiful | Susan Vale | |
| 2016 | Stars Are Already Dead | Grandma | |
| 2017 | Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri | Momma Dixon | |
| 2018 | The Head Thieves | Judy Castillo | |
| 2019 | Dumbo | Verna the Secretary | |
| 2021 | Luca | Grandma Paguro [3] | Voice role |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977, 1981 | Lou Grant | Gloria Lawder / Psych-Tech | 2 episodes |
| 1978 | The Gift of Love | Jan's Mother | Television film |
| 1981 | Sizzle | Freda's Assistant | |
| The Patricia Neal Story | 1st Woman | ||
| 1982 | Farrell for the People | Newswoman | |
| One Shoe Makes It Murder | Gloria | ||
| St. Elsewhere | Mrs. Lawson | Episode: "Down's Syndrome" | |
| The Greatest American Hero | Woman | Episode: "The Resurrection of Carlini" | |
| 1982, 1984 | Hill Street Blues | Bailiff / Abigail Mizell | 3 episodes |
| 1983 | Carpool | Peggy Ryan | Television film |
| Scarecrow and Mrs. King | Nurse Chapman | Episode: "If Thoughts Could Kill" | |
| 1984 | Falcon Crest | Floor Nurse | Episode: "Sport of Kings" |
| Matt Houston | Policewoman | Episode: "The Secret Admirer" | |
| 1984, 1988 | Night Court | Sister Mo / Woman | 2 episodes |
| 1985 | Hunter | Iris Balzer | Episode: "Sniper" |
| Suburban Beat | Contata | Television film | |
| The Twilight Zone | Lindy | 3 episodes | |
| 1986 | If Tomorrow Comes | Gladys (guard) | Episode #1.1 |
| Fresno | Middle Aged Woman | Miniseries | |
| 1987 | The Gambler III | Mrs. Dickey | Television film |
| Designing Women | Hotel Manager | Episode: "Stranded" | |
| 1988 | Santa Barbara | Betty Grayson | Episode #1.930 |
| Little Girl Lost | Violet Young | Television film | |
| Police Story: Cop Killer | Mona Ramsey | ||
| 1989 | Matlock | Manager | Episode: "The Black Widow" |
| 1991 | Equal Justice | Advocate No. 2 | Episode: "Sleeping with the Enemy" |
| Prison Stories: Women on the Inside | Counselor Pennell | Television film | |
| 1993 | South of Sunset | Desk Sergeant | Episode: "Newspaper Boy" |
| 1994 | Models Inc. | Female Police Officer | Episode: "Nothing Is as It Seems" |
| 1995 | Indictment: The McMartin Trial | Deputy Phyllis | Television film |
| 1996, 2001 | ER | Sister Helen / Mrs. Zarian | 2 episodes |
| 1997 | On the Line | Bartender #1 | Television film |
| 1999 | Sliders | Shirley Montana | Episode: "Net Worth" |
| 2000 | Providence | Female Minister | Episode: "Do the Right Thing" |
| Time of Your Life | Vinnie | Episode: "The Time They Found a Solution" | |
| 2001 | Stranger Inside | Mrs. Johnny Cochran | Television film |
| NYPD Blue | Annie | Episode: "In-Laws, Outlaws" | |
| Days of Our Lives | Aunt Elsie | 2 episodes | |
| 2001, 2007 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Office Manager / Female Trucker | |
| 2003 | Astro Boy | Abercrombie | English version; voice |
| Strong Medicine | Iris Rawlings | Episode: "Jeaneology" | |
| 2004 | The Division | Marriage Counselor | Episode: "As I Was Going to St. Ives..." |
| 2005 | Without a Trace | Iris Healy | Episode: "Transitions" |
| Desperate Housewives | Woman #1 | Episode: "Children Will Listen" | |
| CSI: NY | Mrs. Collins | Episode: "What You See Is What You See" | |
| Nip/Tuck | Helen Holden | Episode: "Sal Perri" | |
| 2006–present | It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia | Mrs. McDonald | 13 episodes |
| 2007 | Cold Case | Karen Watson | Episode: "The Good-Bye Room" |
| Jericho | Mrs. Herbert | Episode: "Coalition of the Willing" | |
| Saving Grace | Sister Laura Marie | Episode: "Is There a Scarlet Letter on My Breast?" | |
| 2007–2011 | Big Love | Selma Greene | 10 episodes |
| 2008 | Speed Freaks | Cop | Television film |
| 2009 | My Name Is Earl | Joy's Grandma | Episode: "Darnell Outed: Part 1" |
| The Unit | Woman with Cane | Episode: "The Last Nazi" | |
| The Young and the Restless | Jimmy | 5 episodes | |
| Hot Sluts | Jackie | 5 episodes | |
| Weeds | Doctor | Episode: "Suck 'n' Spit" | |
| 2010 | Warren the Ape | Agnes Osborn | Episode: "Black Lotus" |
| 2010–2011 | Svetlana | Liam | 4 episodes |
| 2011 | Shameless | Doctor | Episode: "Three Boys" |
| 2011–2013 | Good Job, Thanks! | Barbara | 5 episodes |
| 2012 | Napoleon Dynamite | Grandma | 6 episodes |
| Make It or Break It | Marge | Episode: "Smells Like Winner" | |
| The Closer | Mrs. Wallingham | Episode: "Last Rites" | |
| The New Normal | Miss Pepper | Episode: "Sofa's Choice" | |
| Parenthood | Dog Breeder | Episode: "Left Field" | |
| 2 Broke Girls | Ms. Pyle | Episode: "And the Egg Special" | |
| Rizzoli & Isles | Kendra Dee | Episode: "Virtual Love" | |
| 2013 | Quick Draw | Ma Bender | Episode: "Mail Order Bride" |
| Dads | Ethel | Episode: "Dad Abuse" | |
| 2014 | Murder in the First | Sue Leonard | Episode: "Pilot" |
| Perception | Shirley (Homeless Woman) | Episode: "Shiver" | |
| 2014–2017 | Hand of God | Randy | 10 episodes |
| Playing House | Mary Pat Caruso | 6 episodes | |
| 2014–2019 | The Haves and the Have Nots | Mama Rosa | 3 episodes |
| 2015 | Blunt Talk | Motel Owner | Episode: "Meth or No Meth, You Still Gotta Floss" |
| Transparent | Sandy | 2 episodes | |
| 2016 | Wander Over Yonder | Dorothy | Episode: "The Family Reunion/The Rival" |
| 2017 | OVER & OUT | Gert | Television film |
| Comrade Detective | Nikita's Landlady | Episode: "The Invisible Hand" | |
| 2018 | Shooter | Adele Poole | Episode: "Red Meat" |
| Bravest Warriors | Dolores | Episode: "The Crowd I'm Seeing" | |
| 2018–2019 | Ray Donovan | Sandy Patrick | 13 episodes |
| 2020 | Big City Greens | Gertie | Episode: "Times Circle/Super Gramma!" |
| 2021 | Mom | Lillian | Episode: "Vinyl Flooring and a Cartoon Bear" |
| 2022 | Grey's Anatomy | Sally | 2 episodes |
| International | |
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| National | |
