Sandra Bernhard facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sandra Bernhard
Bernhard in 2016
Born	(1955-06-06) June 6, 1955 (age 70) Flint, Michigan, U.S.
Education	Saguaro High School
Occupation	Actress comedian singer author
Years active	1977–present
Known for	Nancy Bartlett Thomas in Roseanne and Judy Kubrak in Pose
Partner(s)	Sara Switzer (2000–present)
Children	1

Sandra Bernhard is an American actress, comedian, and singer, born on June 6, 1955. She became well-known in the late 1970s for her unique stand-up comedy. In her shows, she often talked about celebrity culture and political figures in a funny and sharp way.

She played the character Nancy Bartlett Thomas on the TV show Roseanne from 1991 to 1997. Later, she also played Nurse Judy Kubrak in the drama series Pose on FX. She is considered one of the top 100 stand-up comedians of all time by Comedy Central.

Sandra Bernhard's Early Life

Sandra Bernhard was born in Flint, Michigan, on June 6, 1955. Her parents, Jeanette and Jerome Bernhard, raised her in the Conservative Jewish faith. She has three older brothers named Dan, David, and Mark.

When Sandra was 10 years old, her family moved to Arizona. She went to Saguaro High School in Scottsdale and graduated in 1973.

Sandra Bernhard's Career in Comedy and Acting

Sandra Bernhard started her career performing at The Comedy Store in Hollywood, a famous place for comedians. As she became more popular, she got a role on The Richard Pryor Show in 1977. She also started appearing on evening talk shows.

How Sandra Bernhard Became Famous

Her big break came in 1981 when director Martin Scorsese chose her for a role. She starred as Masha, a character who stalks and kidnaps, in the film The King of Comedy. For this role, she won an award called the National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress. She was also a frequent guest on David Letterman's TV show, Late Night with David Letterman, appearing 28 times starting in 1983.

Sandra Bernhard's One-Woman Shows and Music

In 1985, Sandra Bernhard began performing her first one-woman show, called I'm Your Woman. She later released an album version of it. Throughout the 1980s, she took on small TV roles while developing her stand-up comedy into more of a performance art style.

In 1988, she launched another one-woman show, Without You, I'm Nothing, With You, I'm Not Much Better. This show was performed at the Orpheum Theatre in New York. By 1990, it was made into a film and a double album. The album was recorded in 1988, and the film was shot in 1989. Sandra Bernhard was even nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album in 1990.

Sandra Bernhard on Television and in Films

In 1991, Sandra Bernhard began playing Nancy Bartlett on the popular TV show Roseanne. She appeared in 33 episodes between 1991 and 1997. She was one of the first actresses to play a character who was openly bisexual on American television.

She also hosted the USA Network's Reel Wild Cinema for two seasons starting in 1995. She continued to act in independent films, guest roles on TV, and some mainstream movies like Hudson Hawk and Dallas Doll. In 1991, she released her first studio music album, Excuses for Bad Behavior (Part One). She also made a guest appearance on the animated talk show Space Ghost Coast to Coast in 1995. In 1996, she guest-starred on an episode of Highlander: The Series where she played a romance novelist.

Bernhard hosting The Queer Edge with Jack E. Jett

Sandra Bernhard appeared as herself on the show Will & Grace. In one episode, the main characters tried to become friends with her by pretending to buy her apartment. She returned to the show as herself two years later.

In 2006, she returned to New York with her off-Broadway show Everything Bad & Beautiful. The CD of this show was praised as one of her best. That same year, she hosted the first season of The Search for the Funniest Mother in America on Nick at Nite. In 2007, her one-woman show Plan B from Outer Space debuted. She also co-wrote a Hanukkah-themed song called "Miracle of Lights."

In 2013, she joined the cast of ABC Family's Switched at Birth. She played an art professor in the season 3 opener in January 2014. In 2015, she started hosting her own radio show, Sandyland, on Sirius XM's Radio Andy.

From 2018 to 2021, she played Nurse Judy on FX's Pose. This show was about ball culture in Manhattan, which is a vibrant part of LGBT and trans history.

Sandra Bernhard's Music Albums

Sandra Bernhard performs different types of music, including classic pop music, jazz, and blues. She has released several albums that combine music and comedy.

• I'm Your Woman
• Without You I'm Nothing
• Excuses for Bad Behavior (Part One)
• The Love Machine
• Hero Worship
• Excuses for Bad Behavior (Part Two)
• The Love Machine Remastered
• Giving Til It Hurts
• Live and Beautiful
• Gems of Mystery
• Everything Bad & Beautiful
• Whatever It Takes
• I Love Being Me, Don't you?

Books by Sandra Bernhard

Sandra Bernhard has also written several books.

• Confessions of a Pretty Lady (1989) - This is her autobiography, telling her life story.
• Love, Love and Love (1993) - A collection of essays.
• May I Kiss You on the Lips, Miss Sandra? (1999) - A book that mixes autobiography with other stories.

Sandra Bernhard's Filmography

Sandra Bernhard has appeared in many films throughout her career.

Sandra Bernhard's Television Roles

Sandra Bernhard has also had many roles on television.

Awards and Recognition

Sandra Bernhard has received several awards for her work.

See also

In Spanish: Sandra Bernhard para niños

• LGBT culture in New York City
• List of LGBT people from New York City
• NYC Pride March