Maria Bamford

Maria Bamford is an actress and stand-up comedian noted for her self-deprecating humor and her candid approach to discussing topics such as depression and anxiety. Her performances often draw on her personal experiences with mental health issues and her family dynamics.

Active in the entertainment industry since 1989, Bamford has amassed a robust body of work that extends beyond the stand-up stage. She has had roles in films such as Lucky Numbers, Stuart Little 2, and Hell and Back, and her television appearances range from critically acclaimed shows like "Louie" and "Arrested Development" to animated series such as "CatDog," "American Dad!," "Adventure Time," and "BoJack Horseman."

Bamford's stand-up comedy career is marked by the release of multiple comedy albums and specials, starting with "The Burning Bridges Tour" in 2003. Her unique comedic style earned her the American Comedy Award for Best Club Comic in 2014. However, her influence extends beyond the stand-up stage. She has also co-created, wrote, and starred in projects like "The Program" with Melinda Hill, produced by Funny or Die, and was a guest on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" in 2016.

In 2016, Bamford starred in the Netflix series "Lady Dynamite," which was well-received and further cemented her standing in the entertainment industry. Continuing her tradition of breaking boundaries, Bamford was the commencement speaker for the University of Minnesota's College of Liberal Arts in 2017 and has appeared on season 13 of "Worst Cooks in America."

Bamford's contribution to animation includes providing voice work for various characters in series like "Mixels," "Pickle and Peanut," "Star vs. the Forces of Evil," and "We Bare Bears" alongside her recurring role as Tito the Anxiety Mosquito in the animated series "Big Mouth."

Her memoir, titled "Sure, I'll Join Your Cult: A Memoir of Mental Illness and the Quest to Belong Anywhere," was released in 2023 and made the New York Times Combined Print & E-Book Nonfiction bestseller list. She has also been a guest on various podcasts such as "Conan O'Brien Needs A Friend," "Planet Money," and "Go Fact Yourself."

Aside from her professional achievements, Bamford has been recognized for her advocacy around mental health, a topic she openly discusses in her performances. She has been diagnosed with bipolar II disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and in recognition of her work, she was presented with The OCD Foundation’s Illumination Award. Bamford currently resides in Los Angeles, California, with her husband Scott Marvel Cassidy.