Andrea Martin is a Canadian-American actress, singer, and comedian, best known for her work in the television series SCTV and Great News. She has appeared in films such as Black Christmas (1974), Wag the Dog (1997), Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001), My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002), My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016), and Little Italy (2018). She has also lent her voice to the animated films Anastasia (1997), The Rugrats Movie (1998), and Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius (2001).
Martin was born on January 15, 1947, in Portland, Maine, the eldest of three children of Armenian-American parents Sybil A. (née Manoogian) and John Papazian Martin (Armenian: Ջոն Փափազեան Մարտին; 1917–2010). Her paternal grandparents were from Van, present-day Turkey, who had escaped the Armenian Genocide. Her maternal grandmother immigrated to the U.S. at the age of 15. Her paternal grandfather, an amateur thespian, changed the family's name from Papazian to Martin. Her maternal grandparents, who were from Constantinople, started the Armenian School at the Chestnut Street Church in Portland, Maine.
Martin began her performing career in Toronto in the early 1970s, where she was a member of the original cast of the musical Godspell. She also appeared in the Toronto production of the musical Hair. In 1976, Martin joined the cast of the Canadian comedy sketch television series SCTV. She quickly became one of the show's breakout stars, known for her versatile comedic skills and her ability to create memorable characters. Martin remained with SCTV until its cancellation in 1984.
After SCTV, Martin continued to work in television and film. She had recurring roles on the sitcoms Mary Tyler Moore (1977), The Associates (1979–1980), and Taxi (1980–1981). She also appeared in the films Black Christmas (1974), The Great Muppet Caper (1981), and All of Me (1984).
In the 1990s, Martin starred in the sitcoms My Mother the Mermaid (1993–1994) and Working (1997–1998). She also appeared in the films Wag the Dog (1997) and Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001).
In the 2000s, Martin had recurring roles on the sitcoms SCTV (2004), Boston Legal (2005–2006), and Ugly Betty (2006–2010). She also appeared in the films My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002), My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 (2016), and Little Italy (2018).
In 2016, Martin began starring in the sitcom Great News. She played Diane Keaton, a retired news anchor who returns to her job to work with her daughter, Katie (Briga Heelan). The show was cancelled after two seasons.
Martin has won numerous awards for her work, including two Tony Awards, two Primetime Emmy Awards, and a Drama Desk Award. She is a member of the Canadian Comedy Hall of Fame and the Order of Canada.