Sandra Bernhard

Sandra Bernhard is an American actress, comedian, singer, and author known for her sharp wit, irreverent humor, and biting critiques of popular culture and politics. Born on June 6, 1955, in Flint, Michigan, Sandra grew up in a Jewish family with a strong sense of identity and community. Her father, Jerome Bernhard, was a proctologist, and her mother, Jeanette, was a painter and abstract artist.

From an early age, Sandra showed a passion for performing and creating art. She attended Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, Arizona, where she was active in drama and music programs. After graduation, she embarked on a journey of self-discovery, traveling to Israel to live on a kibbutz and then settling in Los Angeles to pursue her dreams of a career in entertainment.

Sandra's early years in LA were marked by struggle and hardship. She worked odd jobs, including a stint as a manicurist in a high-end salon, while honing her skills as a comedian and performer. In 1977, she got her big break when she was cast as a supporting player on The Richard Pryor Show, a groundbreaking sketch comedy series that showcased some of the most innovative and daring comedians of the time.

Since then, Sandra has become a beloved icon of American comedy, known for her fearless wit and edgy humor. She has released numerous albums, written several books, and appeared in a wide range of films and TV shows. In 2014, she joined the cast of ABC Family's Switched At Birth, playing the recurring role of Teresa Lubarsky.

Sandra's personality and motivation are characterized by her fierce intelligence, keen observational skills, and a deep commitment to speaking truth to power. She has never been one to shy away from controversy or hold back her opinions, earning a reputation as a provocateur and boundary-pusher. Her work is infused with a sense of purpose and urgency, as she uses humor to expose the absurdities and injustices of the world around her.

Before becoming famous, Sandra faced many obstacles and challenges. She struggled to find her voice as a comedienne in a male-dominated industry, and faced discrimination and bias as a woman and a Jew. But despite these setbacks, she persevered, using her talent and determination to forge a path to success.

Sandra's family life is centered around her daughter, Cicely Yasin Bernhard, whom she gave birth to on the 4th of July in 1998. Cicely was born while Sandra was performing her Broadway show I'm Still Here... Damn It!, and has been a constant source of love and inspiration for her mother.

Sandra is also widely respected and admired in the entertainment industry. She has collaborated with many notable figures, including the director Martin Scorsese, with whom she worked on the 1983 film The King of Comedy, for which she won a National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress. She has also counted among her friends and colleagues some of the most iconic names in comedy, including Richard Pryor and Joan Rivers.