Maria Bamford
Born 1970 · Age 56
American stand-up comedian, actress, voice artist and author known for surreal, character-driven comedy and candid discussion of mental health.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Port Hueneme, California
Maria Elizabeth Sheldon Bamford born at the Naval Base in Port Hueneme, California; daughter of Joel (Navy doctor/dermatologist) and Marilyn (therapist).
Attended Chester Park Elementary (Duluth)
Grew up in Duluth, Minnesota and attended Chester Park Elementary.
Attended Duluth Marshall High School
Attended Duluth Marshall School (high school) in Duluth, Minnesota.
Enrolled at Bates College
After high school, attended Bates College in Lewiston, Maine.
Began performing stand-up at Stevie Ray's (Minneapolis)
Began performing stand-up comedy at Stevie Ray's Comedy Cabaret in Minneapolis at age 19.
Transferred to the University of Edinburgh
Transferred to the University of Edinburgh at start of junior year; joined The Improverts, becoming the group's first female member.
Returned to U.S. and enrolled at University of Minnesota
Transferred back to her home state and enrolled at the University of Minnesota to finish college.
Earned BA in English from University of Minnesota
Completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in English at the University of Minnesota (approximate graduation year).
TV appearance on Mystery Science Theater 3000
Credited as a Fiddler in the episode 'Bloodlust!'. Early television credit.
First recurring voice/TV credits begin (The Tom Show, CatDog, Hey Arnold!)
Multiple television/voice credits in 1998, including The Tom Show and starting on CatDog (Shriek DuBois).
Long-running voice role on CatDog
Voiced Shriek DuBois in Nickelodeon's CatDog (1998–2005; 58 episodes credited).
Feature film: Lucky Numbers
One of her first feature film appearances playing Wendy in Lucky Numbers (2000).
First appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
Early late-night national exposure with appearances on The Tonight Show (credited in filmography).
Film: Stuart Little 2 (voice)
Provided voice work for Stuart Little 2 (2002).
Released first comedy album & tour: The Burning Bridges Tour
Her first comedy album and first major tour release, The Burning Bridges Tour (CD, 2003).
Film voice: Charlotte's Web 2: Wilbur's Great Adventure
Provided voices in Charlotte's Web 2 (2003).
Featured in The Comedians of Comedy (film/series)
Featured in the documentary series The Comedians of Comedy and the 2005 film.
Film voice: Barnyard
Provided the voice of Mrs. Beady in Barnyard (2006).
Album / DVD: How to WIN! and film Heckler
Released the CD/DVD How to WIN! (2007) and appeared in the documentary Heckler (2007).
The Maria Bamford Show (web series)
Produced and starred in The Maria Bamford Show web shorts (later featured at MoMA NY).
Began long-term voice work on WordGirl and Back at the Barnyard
Regular voice roles on PBS's WordGirl (2007–2015, 87 episodes) and Back at the Barnyard (2007–2011, 30 episodes).
Hospitalized three times over 18 months for mental health
Hospitalized multiple times for nervous breakdowns; later publicly discussed bipolar II diagnosis and OCD.
Released album 'Unwanted Thoughts Syndrome'
Comedy Central Records released Unwanted Thoughts Syndrome (April 2009) with a DVD of The Maria Bamford Show episodes.
Featured in Target Christmas commercials
Appeared in Target holiday ads for the 2009–2010 holiday shopping season as an over-eager shopper.
Released free stand-up special online
Published a free stand-up special online as a Christmas gift to fans (December 2009).
Multiple Adventure Time voice credits begin
Contributed various voices to Adventure Time across many episodes (2010–2018, 69 episodes credited).
Acting on Louie (TV)
Appeared in the third season of Louis C.K.'s Louie (credited for two episodes).
Released 'The Special Special Special!'
Released The Special Special Special for download (recorded at her Los Angeles home with only her parents as audience).
Created web series 'Ask My Mom'
Wrote and starred in Ask My Mom, playing herself and her mother answering fan questions.
Joined Arrested Development (season 4 onward)
Appeared as Debrie Bardeaux, Tobias Fünke's love interest, from 2013 and remained through the series' later episodes until 2019.
Voiced Pema on The Legend of Korra (2012–2014 run)
Provided the voice of Pema across 19 episodes of The Legend of Korra (series credits 2012–2014).
Co-created/wrote/stared in 'The Program' (Funny or Die)
Co-created and performed in The Program with Melinda Hill; credited as writer/EP on Funny or Die production.
OCD Foundation Illumination Award (mental health advocacy)
Recognized by the OCD Foundation with an Illumination Award for mental health advocacy (award year not explicitly dated in sources; shown on bio page).
Won American Comedy Award — Best Club Comic
Awarded the American Comedy Award for Best Club Comic (announced May 8, 2014).
Announced engagement to Scott Marvel Cassidy
Announced engagement during a performance at the Neptune Theater in Seattle (Dec 11, 2014).
Married Scott Marvel Cassidy
Married artist Scott Marvel Cassidy in a private ceremony (2015).
Film voice: Hell and Back
Voiced a character (Gloria) in the animated feature Hell and Back (2015).
Began voice work on BoJack Horseman (2014–2019 credits)
Provided voices including Kelsey Jannings and others on BoJack Horseman (9 episodes credited between 2014–2019).
Guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Appeared January 2016; Colbert called her his 'favorite comedian on planet Earth.'
Netflix announces 'Lady Dynamite' series
Netflix announced an original series based on Maria's life, with her starring as lead (announcement early 2016).
Released album '20%'
Released the comedy album '20%' (2016).
Premiere: Lady Dynamite on Netflix
Lady Dynamite released on Netflix (May 2016); Maria starred as lead and served as executive producer and frequent presence in the writers' room.
Netflix special 'Maria Bamford: Old Baby' released
Netflix released the special 'Old Baby' (2017).
Started recurring role 'Tito the Anxiety Mosquito' on Big Mouth
Voiced Tito, the Anxiety Mosquito, on Big Mouth (series credits 2017–2025).
Commencement speaker — University of Minnesota College of Liberal Arts
Delivered commencement speech May 2017; donated her $5,000 net speaking fee to a graduate to pay down student loans.
Competitor on Worst Cooks in America
Appeared on season 13 of Worst Cooks in America (April 2018); eliminated in the fourth episode.
Released album/video 'Weakness Is the Brand'
Released the album and video 'Weakness Is the Brand' (2020).
Podcast appearances & specials (Bonanas for Bonanza)
Participated in podcast content including Bonanas for Bonanza (2020) and other guest pods.
Continued recurring voice roles (Big Mouth, BoJack Horseman, Adventure Time etc.)
Ongoing recurring voice roles including Tito (Anxiety Mosquito) on Big Mouth and various roles across animated series.
Released 'Local Act' video download
Released Local Act (2023) as a video download special.
Released album 'CROWD-PLEASER!'
Released new comedy album CROWD-PLEASER! (2023).
Published memoir 'Sure, I'll Join Your Cult'
Released memoir Sure, I'll Join Your Cult: A Memoir of Mental Illness and the Quest to Belong Anywhere via Gallery Books (Sept 5, 2023).
NYT Combined Print & E-Book Nonfiction bestseller #11
Memoir entered the New York Times Combined Print & E-Book Nonfiction best seller list at #11 (Sept 24, 2023).
Continued TV appearances (After Midnight episodes credited 2024)
Credited appearances in TV listings for 2024 (After Midnight episodes).
Public net worth estimate reported online (~$3.5M)
Third-party online profile (aggregator) published an estimated net worth of ~$3.5M (Feb 3, 2025).
Key Achievement Ages
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