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Maria Bamford
Mariba.JPG
Bamford in 2008
Born (1970-09-03) September 3, 1970 (age 54)
Education Bates College
University of Edinburgh
University of Minnesota (BA)
Occupation
  • Actress
  • comedian
Years active 1989–present
Spouse(s)
Scott Marvel Cassidy
(m. 2015)
Comedy career
Medium
Genres
  • Observational comedy
  • character comedy
  • surreal humor
  • alternative comedy
  • black comedy
Subject(s)

Maria Bamford (born September 3, 1970) is an American actress and stand-up comedian. Her work often uses self-deprecating and dark topics, including her dysfunctional family, depression, anxiety, ..., and mental illness.

Her first comedy album and tour was The Burning Bridges Tour (2003), followed by eight more albums and specials. One of her first feature films is Lucky Numbers (2000), and she voiced characters on many animated shows, including Shriek on CatDog, and many more on American Dad!, Ugly Americans, Adventure Time, and BoJack Horseman. Her film work includes Stuart Little 2 (2002), Charlotte's Web 2: Wilbur's Great Adventure (2003), Barnyard (2006), Heckler (2007), and Hell and Back (2015). She voiced Talking Ginger and Talking Becca in the Talking Tom & Friends web series. Her live television work began in Louie (2012), Arrested Development (2013–2019), WordGirl (2007–2015), Big Mouth (2017–present), Flatbush Misdemeanors (2021-2022), and Human Resources (2022–2023). In 2014, she won the American Comedy Award for Best Club Comic.

The 2016 Netflix original series Lady Dynamite, in which she plays the lead role, is based on her life. She voiced Tito, the Anxiety Mosquito, in Big Mouth.

In 2023 she released a memoir, Sure, I'll Join Your Cult.

Early life

Bamford's father, Joel Bamford, was serving as a Navy doctor. She grew up in Duluth, Minnesota, attending Chester Park Elementary and Duluth Marshall School. She has stated that when she was younger, she was often troubled with her anxiety, depression, and what she has called "Unwanted Thoughts Syndrome", a subset of obsessive–compulsive disorder.

Upon graduating from high school, she attended Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. In 1992, she transferred to the University of Edinburgh in Scotland at the start of her junior year. She became the first female member of the college's improvised comedy group, The Improverts. After a year in Scotland, she transferred back to her home state and enrolled at the University of Minnesota, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. She began stand-up comedy in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at age 19, at Stevie Ray's Comedy Cabaret.

Career

Comedy beginnings: 1998–2008

Bamford has been in many movies and television shows, including cartoon voices. She was the voice of Shriek DuBois in Nickelodeon's CatDog, a wide selection of secondary characters in Cartoon Network's Adventure Time, and Mrs. Botsford, Violet, and Leslie on the PBS educational series WordGirl. She does impersonations, including her mother and her agent. Her stand-up comedy often takes the form of vignettes rather than the standard setup-and-punchline format.

Bamford was featured in the documentary series The Comedians of Comedy on Comedy Central and Showtime, and appears in short skits titled The Maria Bamford Show, broadcast on the website Super Deluxe. She appears on the comedy compilation CD Comedy Death-Ray.

Rise to prominence: 2008–2014

Her album Unwanted Thoughts Syndrome, produced by Comedy Central Records, was released in April 2009 and includes a DVD containing The Maria Bamford Show episodes. During the Christmas 2009–2010 shopping seasons, she was featured in a series of Target commercials, portraying an overachieving shopper determined to be first in line. For Christmas 2009, she released a free stand-up special online as a gift to her fans.

While working in voice-over shows and advertisements in Los Angeles, she was hospitalized three times over the course of 18 months for nervous breakdowns. She commented on the hospital visits by saying "it was the responsible thing to do" after she felt "dispirited".

In 2012 she released The Special Special Special for download through Chill.com. The special was recorded at her own home in Los Angeles with only her parents present as the audience.

In 2013, she created and starred in a web series called Ask My Mom. She plays both herself and her mother, who answers questions sent in by fans. Also in 2013, she appeared as herself in one episode of the interview web series All Growz Up with Melinda Hill. She voiced Pema in Nickelodeon cartoon The Legend of Korra.

In 2013, she appeared in season four of Arrested Development as Debrie Bardeaux, Tobias Fünke's love interest. The series creator noted her as a comical "genius" and said that "real artists [like Maria] talk about things that nobody else talks about, and talk about them candidly." She remained on the series until it concluded in 2019.

Lady Dynamite and critical acclaim: 2014–present

She appeared in Season 3 of Louis C.K.'s Louie. In 2014, she co-created, wrote, and starred in The Program with Melinda Hill, produced by Funny or Die. In 2014, she won the American Comedy Award for Best Club Comic. In January 2016, she was a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where host Stephen Colbert called her his "favorite comedian on planet Earth".

In early 2016, Netflix announced an original series based on her life, called Lady Dynamite, starring her, released in May 2016. She was invited to the writing process. She did not write any episodes, but was often in the writers' room, discussing ideas and "hanging out". The writers had freedom to modify her experiences for creative purposes.

In May 2017, she was the commencement speaker for the University of Minnesota's College of Liberal Arts. During the speech, she gave a check made out to Sallie Mae for $5,000, her net speaking fee, to a graduate in the audience who had student loans.

In April 2018, she appeared on season 13 of Worst Cooks in America. She was eliminated in the fourth episode.

On September 5, 2023, her book, Sure, I’ll Join Your Cult: A Memoir of Mental Illness and the Quest to Belong Anywhere, was released from Gallery Books. On September 24, 2023, the book entered the New York Times Combined Print & E-Book Nonfiction best seller list at #11.

Comedy style

Bamford's unique comedic style has drawn praise from many in the comedy world. She is best known for her portrayal of her dysfunctional family and self-deprecating comedy involving jokes about depression and anxiety. Her comedy style is surreal and incorporates voice impressions of various character types. Zach Freeman of the Chicago Tribune has noted her content and comedic style as "comically erratic" with "seemingly unrelated tangents and constantly varying vocal inflections". David Sims of The Atlantic noted her roles and voice work as having themes of "serial passivity" stemming from her "polite upbringing and own internal anxieties". Film producer Judd Apatow has described her comedic style as "complex" and "bizarre", later calling her "the funniest woman in the world". Variety described Bamford's performance in Lady Dynamite, saying that "the actress and comedian, whose presence has rarely been used as well as it is here, manages the neat trick of being both believably guileless and winningly sharp."

Personal life

Bamford stated in an interview with The Salt Lake Tribune that she has been diagnosed with bipolar II disorder, and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). In stand-up, she describes bipolar as "the new gladiator sandal".

On December 11, 2014, during her show at the Neptune Theater in Seattle, she announced that she was engaged to artist Scott Marvel Cassidy. They were married at a private ceremony in 2015. She has one sister, Sarah Seidelmann, who is a MD physician, life coach and Shamanic healer. She has a private residence in Los Angeles, California, and a home in Altadena, California. She loves pugs, and typically owns at least one senior pug at any given time.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1998 Denial Newscaster
2000 Lucky Numbers Wendy
2002 Stuart Little 2 Teacher
2003 Charlotte's Web 2: Wilbur's Great Adventure Aranea / Button / additional voices Voice
2005 The Comedians of Comedy Herself
2006 Barnyard Mrs. Beady Voice
2007 Heckler Herself
2011 Doraemon: Nobita and the New Steel Troops—Winged Angels Riruru
2014 Muffin Top: A Love Story Angelique
2015 Hell and Back Gloria Voice
2015 Misery Loves Comedy Herself
2018 An Evening with Beverly Luff Linn Elegant Woman
2018 Seven Stages to Achieve Eternal Bliss Cultist
2021 Extinct Bo's Mom Voice
2022 The Bubble Carol's Mom
2022 The People's Joker Lorne Michaels Voice

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1994 Mystery Science Theater 3000 Fiddler Episode: "Bloodlust!"
1998 The Tom Show Christy Episode: "The Band"
1998–1999 Hey Arnold! Mayor Dixie / various Voice, 3 episodes
1998–2005 CatDog Shriek DuBois Voice, 58 episodes
1999 Dharma & Greg Sandy Episode: "Death & Violins"
1999–2004 Home Movies Additional voices 3 episodes
2000 Men in Black: The Series Voice, episode: "The Back to School Syndrome"
2000–2001 The Trouble with Normal Dora 2 episodes
2001 The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Herself 2 episodes
2001–2002 Late Friday Herself 2 episodes
2001–2007 Comedy Central Presents Herself 2 episodes; also writer
2002 Comic Remix Herself
2002 Premium Blend Herself 1 episode
2003 Hey Monie! Sex Education Teacher Voice, episode: "For Pet's Sake"
2003 The World Comedy Tour: Melbourne 2003 Herself TV special
2004–2016 Jimmy Kimmel Live! Herself 2 episodes
2005 Tom Goes to the Mayor Home Shopping Woman / Sandy Voice, episode: "Porcelain Birds"
2005 Coconut Fred's Fruit Salad Island Melody / The Waiting Lady Voice, 2 episodes
2005 Rove Live Herself Episode: "#6.7"
2005–2015 The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson Herself 4 episodes
2006 Shorty McShorts' Shorts Additional voices 3 episodes
2007 American Dad! Randy's Mother Voice, episode: "The 42-Year-Old Virgin"
2007–2008 Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! Various 3 episodes
2007–2011 Back at the Barnyard Mrs. Beady Voice, 30 episodes
2007–2015 WordGirl Violet / Sally Botsford Voice, 87 episodes
2009 Sit Down, Shut Up Various voices 9 episodes
2010 The Sarah Silverman Program Mae Kadoodie Episode: "Nightmayor"
2010 Check It Out! with Dr. Steve Brule Cynthia Driscoll Episode: "Health"
2010 Ugly Americans Various voices 3 episodes
2010 The Cartoonstitute Captain, Zack 2 episodes
2010–2011 John Oliver's New York Stand-Up Show Herself 3 episodes
2010–2012 Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil "Wacky" Jackie Wackerman Voice, 7 episodes
2010–2018 Adventure Time Various voices 69 episodes
2011 Nick Swardson's Pretend Time Linda Martin Episode: "Flying ..."
2011 Conan Herself Episode: "Happy One Year Anniversary to Us, and to Lisa and Greg Drucker of Wayne, New Jersey"
2011 Adam Hills in Gordon Street Tonight Herself Episode: "#1.8"
2011–2016 Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness Chen Voice, 8 episodes
2012 Louie Maria 2 episodes
2012 Unsupervised Various voices 7 episodes
2012–2014 The Legend of Korra Pema Voice, 19 episodes
2013 Kroll Show Denise Ryan 2 episodes
2013 Tales of Metropolis Lois Lane Voice, 2 episodes
2013 The Nerdist Herself Episode: "Space!"
2013–2015 Golan the Insatiable Carole Beekler Voice, 12 episodes
2013–2019 Arrested Development Debrie Bardeaux 15 episodes
2014 Chozen Voice, episode: "Pilot"
2014 The Program Peace 2 episodes; also writer and executive producer
2014 Benched Cheryl 8 episodes
2014 Mixels Scorpi Voice
2014–2016 TripTank Various voices 6 episodes
2014–2017 @midnight Herself 4 episodes
2014–2019 BoJack Horseman Kelsey Jannings / various Voice, 9 episodes
2015 Comedy Bang! Bang! Claire Coulter Episode: "Maya Rudolph Wears a Black Skirt & Strappy Sandals"
2015 Clarence Dillis Voice, episode: "Hurricane Dillis"
2015 Maron Herself Episode: "Mad Marc"
2015 Axe Cop Various voices 3 episodes
2015 Your Pretty Face Is Going to Hell The Thin Twins Voice, episode: "Psyklone and the Thin Twins"
2015 Pickle and Peanut Kandy Voice, episode: "PAL-SCAN/America's Sweetboy"
2015–2016 Fresh Off the Boat Principal Thomas 4 episodes
2015–2017 Pig Goat Banana Cricket Various voices 4 episodes
2015–2017 Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero Various voices 12 episodes
2015–2018 The Adventures of Puss in Boots The Duchess Voice, 12 episodes
2016 Take My Wife Maria Episode: "Punchline"
2016 Flophouse Herself Episode: "Haircuts at Babe Island"
2016 The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Herself Episode: "Scott Kelly/Abby Wambach/Maria Bamford"
2016–2017 Lady Dynamite Maria Bamford 20 episodes; also executive producer
2016–2019 Star vs. the Forces of Evil Various voices 3 episodes
2017 Portlandia Humane Society Volunteer Episode: "Misunderstood Miracles"
2017 We Bare Bears Miss Chriss Voice, episode: "Panda's Art"
2017 Ginger Snaps Vivian Voice, 10 episodes
2017 Downward Dog Pepper Voice, 4 episodes
2017 Mighty Magiswords Tara Byte 11.0 Voice, episode: "The Saga of Robopiggeh!"
2017 Bob's Burgers Kendra / Catherine Voice, episode: "Sit Me Baby One More Time"
2017 Harvey Beaks Grada Voice, episode: "The End and the Beginning"
2018 Liverspots and Astronots Various voices 4 episodes
2018 Stan Against Evil Nurse Pickles Episode: "Intensive Scare Unit"
2018 The Shivering Truth Lover / Elderly Woman Voice, episode: "Tow and Shell"
2018 Worst Cooks in America Herself 4 episodes
2018 Dream Corp LLC Norf Norf 2 episodes
2019 SuperMansion Teach Voice, episode: "Teacher and the Goof"
2019 Victor and Valentino Guandelupe Voice, episode: "Los Cadejos"
2019 SpongeBob SquarePants Macadamia / Hazelnut / Pistachio Voice, episode: "Sandy's Nutty Nieces"
2019 Ask the StoryBots Dr. Pat the Mad Scientist Voice, episode: "How Do Eyes See?"
2019–2020 The Rocketeer Laura Voice, 6 episodes
2019–2020 Tigtone Spaceress Voice, 3 episodes
2020 The Midnight Gospel Various voices 2 episodes
2020 Butterbean's Café Queen Batilda Voice, episode: "The Legend of the Shadow Bean"
2020–2021 Adventure Time: Distant Lands Various voices 2 episodes
2020–2021 Animaniacs Julia / Tammy Voice, 3 episodes
2020–present Big Mouth Tito the Anxiety Mosquito Voice, recurring role
2021 Everything's Gonna Be Okay Suze 4 episodes
2021 Kenan Glory Episode: "Wednesday's Gal"
2021 Flatbush Misdemeanors Maria Episode: "retrograde"
2021 Tuca & Bertie Patricia Ramsey Voice, 3 episodes
2021 I Heart Arlo Various voices 8 episodes
2021 Summer Camp Island The Royal Mush / Foghorn / Polly / Sandy Voice, 6 episodes
2021 Santa Inc. Mrs. Claus / Big Candy Voice, 8 episodes
2021 Centaurworld Malangella / Maitre D / Opposumtaur Voice, 3 episodes
2021–present HouseBroken Jill / Big Cookie Voice, recurring role
2021–present Teenage ... Trophy Fantasy Voice, main role
2022 Mr. Mayor Leaf Episode: "The Illusion of Choice"
2022 Wolfboy and the Everything Factory Sky Ancient Episode: "We Search Above"
2022–2023 Human Resources Tito the Anxiety Mosquito Voice
2023 Rick and Morty Churry Voice, episode: "Rickfending Your Mort"
2023 Night Court The Ghost of Christmas Present Episode: "The Night Court Before Christmas"
2024 After Midnight Herself Episode 16

Web series

Year Title Role Notes
2007 The Maria Bamford Show Herself, her mother, her father, her sister, others
2012 SuperF*ckers Princess Sunshine, Computer Fist Voice
2012–2018 Bravest Warriors Pixel, Gayle, Elves, others Voice
2013 Ask My Mom Herself, her mother Marilyn Bamford
2014–present Talking Tom and Friends Talking Ginger, Talking Becca, Flo, Autumn Summers (Season 3), Pilar
2017 Ave Maria Bamford Herself Also writer
2019–present What's Your Ailment?! Herself Also executive producer

Discography

  • The Burning Bridges Tour (2003) [CD]
  • How to WIN! (2007) [CD]
  • Unwanted Thoughts Syndrome (2009) [CD]
  • Plan B (2010) [DVD]
  • The Special Special Special! (2012) [video download]
  • Ask Me About My New God! (2013) [CD]
  • 20% (2016) [CD]
  • Maria Bamford: Old Baby (2017) [Netflix]
  • Weakness Is the Brand (2020) [album/video]
  • CROWD-PLEASER! (2023) [album]
  • Local Act (2023) [video download]

Podcasts

  • Bonanas for Bonanza (2020)
  • Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend (2023)
  • Planet Money - Maria Bamford gets personal (about) finance (Oct 13, 2023)

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: María Bamford para niños

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