For over five decades, Andrea Martin has remained a formidable and beloved presence in entertainment, seamlessly conquering stage, television, and film with her distinctive comedic timing and dramatic depth. An acclaimed actress, writer, and singer, Martin’s illustrious career is decorated with the industry’s highest honors, including two Tony Awards and two Emmy Awards, cementing her legacy as a true icon.
Born Andrea Louise Martin on January 15, 1947, in Portland, Maine, she is the eldest child of Armenian-American parents. Her journey into performance began early, leading her to Emerson College and soon after, a role in a touring production of “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.” A visit to Toronto in 1970 proved pivotal; she relocated to the city and was cast in a legendary 1972 production of “Godspell” alongside future comedy legends Gilda Radner, Martin Short, and Eugene Levy, with Paul Shaffer as musical director. This creative circle led her to join Toronto’s The Second City improvisational troupe, a move that would soon launch her into television stardom.
In 1976, Martin became a core member of the groundbreaking sketch comedy series “SCTV” (Second City Television). For its entire run, she created a gallery of unforgettable characters, most notably the leopard-print-clad, boisterously laughing station manager Edith Prickley. Her work on the show was critically lauded, earning her and the writing team two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Writing in 1982 and 1983, as detailed by IMDb.
While a celebrated television star, Martin has been equally, if not more, prolific on the stage. She made a spectacular Broadway debut in 1992’s “My Favorite Year,” winning the Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, and Theatre World Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. According to Playbill, she holds the record for the most nominations in that category with five, for her roles in “Candide” (1997), “Oklahoma!” (2002), “Young Frankenstein” (2007), and “Noises Off” (2016). In 2013, she won her second Tony Award for her show-stopping, acrobatic performance as Berthe in the revival of “Pippin.” Her extensive stage career also includes acclaimed performances in “Exit the King,” “Act One,” and a 2024 role opposite Robert Downey Jr. in “McNeal.”
On screen, Martin is perhaps most widely recognized as the scene-stealing Aunt Voula in the hit film “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” (2002), a role she reprised in its sequels in 2016 and 2023. Her filmography is vast and varied, including roles in “Black Christmas” (1974), “Wag the Dog” (1997), and “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” (2001). She has also lent her voice to numerous animated features like “Anastasia” and “Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius.”
In recent years, Martin has experienced a television renaissance, earning critical acclaim and a new generation of fans. She starred in the NBC sitcom “Great News” and has delivered memorable recurring performances as the formidable Sister Andrea in the supernatural drama “Evil,” which earned her a Critics’ Choice Award nomination, and as the quirky Joy in Hulu’s “Only Murders in the Building.” She is also set to appear in the third season of HBO’s “The Gilded Age.”
Beyond her performances, Martin is the author of a 2014 memoir, “Lady Parts,” and is a proud advocate for her heritage, serving as a spokeswoman for the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF). After living and working in Canada for decades, she became a Canadian citizen in 2017. With a career marked by constant reinvention and unwavering excellence, Andrea Martin continues to be a vital and cherished force in the entertainment world.
