Maria Bamford

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, suicide, 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 Scorpi on Mixels, 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 action television work began in Louie (2012), Arrested Development (2013–2019), WordGirl (2007–2015), Big Mouth (2017–2025), Flatbush Misdemeanors (2021–2022), and Human Resources (2022–2023). In 2014, she won the American Comedy Award for Best Club Comic. The 2026 documentary Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story explores her life and career.

Early life Bamford's father, Joel Bamford, served 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. 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 "suicidal" and "dispirited". 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 the 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." 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 by 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

Maria Bamford is the most unique, bizarre, imaginative comedian out there right now. — Judd Apatow 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." A 2014 New York Times profile of Bamford noted her comedic style by saying: Much of Bamford's work examines the relationship between "people" — generally well-intentioned friends and family — and those who grapple with depression or anxiety or any other challenge to the psyche. Her act is a series of monologues and mini skits performed rapid fire and often without regard for transition. Deploying a range of deadpan voices, she mimics the faux enlightened who hover around the afflicted, offering toothless platitudes, bootstrapping pep talks, or concern warped by self-interest. The humor of any given moment relies not so much on punch lines as it does on the impeccably timed swerves of her tone, the interplay between Bamford's persona and those of all the people who don't get her. and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). They were married at a private ceremony in 2015. In March 2025, Bamford and Cassidy separated, and as of January 2026 they are in the process of finalizing their divorce. She has one sister, Sarah Seidelmann, who is a physician, life coach and Shamanic healer. She has a private residence in Los Angeles, California,

Filmography Film Year Title RoleNotes 1998 Denial Newscaster 2000 Lucky Numbers Wendy 2002 Stuart Little 2 Teacher 2003 Charlotte's Web 2: Wilbur's Great Adventure Aranea / Button / additional voicesVoice 2005 The Comedians of Comedy Herself 2006 Barnyard Mrs. BeadyVoice 2007 Heckler Herself 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 MomVoice 2022 The Bubble Carol's Mom 2022 The People's Joker Lorne MichaelsVoice 2024 Micro Budget Darby 2026 Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story Herself

Television Year Title RoleNotes 1994 Mystery Science Theater 3000 Fiddler Episode: "Bloodlust!" 1998 The Tom Show Christy Episode: "The Band" 1998–99 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" 2000–01 The Trouble with Normal Dora 2 episodes 2001 The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Herself 2 episodes 2001–02 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 2004–16 Jimmy Kimmel Live! Herself 2 episodes 2005 Tom Goes to the Mayor Home Shopping Woman / Sandy Voice, episode: "Porcelain Birds" 2005 Rove Live Herself Episode: "#6.7" 2005–15 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" 2007–08 Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! Various 3 episodes 2007–11 Back at the Barnyard Mrs. Beady Voice, 30 episodes 2007–15 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 2010–11 John Oliver's New York Stand-Up Show Herself 3 episodes 2010–12 Kick Buttowski: Suburban Daredevil "Wacky" Jackie Wackerman Voice, 7 episodes 2010–18 Adventure Time Various voices 69 episodes 2011 Nick Swardson's Pretend Time Linda Martin Episode: "Flying Stripper" 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" 2011–16 Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness Chen Voice, 8 episodes 2012 Louie Maria 2 episodes 2012 Unsupervised Various voices 7 episodes 2012–14 The Legend of Korra Pema Voice, 19 episodes 2013 Comedy.tv Herself Episode #1 2013 Kroll Show Denise Ryan 2 episodes 2013 Tales of Metropolis Lois Lane Voice, 2 episodes 2013 The Nerdist Herself Episode: "Space!" 2013–15 Golan the Insatiable Carole Beekler Voice, 12 episodes 2013–19 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 2014–16 TripTank Various voices 6 episodes 2014–17 @midnight Herself 4 episodes 2014–19 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" 2015–16 Fresh Off the Boat Principal Thomas 4 episodes 2015–17 Pig Goat Banana Cricket Various voices 4 episodes 2015–17 Penn Zero: Part-Time Hero Various voices 12 episodes 2015–18 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" 2016–17 Lady Dynamite Maria Bamford 20 episodes; also executive producer 2016–19 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?" 2019–20 The Rocketeer Laura Voice, 6 episodes 2019–20 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!" 2020–21 Adventure Time: Distant Lands Various voices 2 episodes 2020–23 Animaniacs Julia / Tammy Voice, 4 episodes 2020–25 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 2021–23 HouseBroken Jill / Big Cookie / Various Voice, recurring role 2021–23 Teenage Euthanasia 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" 2022–23 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 2 episodes 2025 Futurama Jambone Season 10; episode: "The Trouble with Truffles" 2025 The Bad Guys: The Series Peppy Sweet Pots Voice; episode: "The Sweet, Sweet Steal" 2026 Adventure Time: Side Quests Various including Wildberry Princess Voice; 11 episodes

Video games

Web series Year Title RoleNotes 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, othersVoice 2013 Ask My Mom Herself, her mother Marilyn Bamford 2014–2021 Talking Tom & Friends Talking Ginger, Talking Becca, Flo, Autumn Summers (Seasons 3–5), 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]