Amanda Bearse Biography: Wife, Age, Children, Net Worth, Movies, TV Shows, Height, Parents

Biography

Amanda Bearse is a creative American actress, comedian, and director best known for her role as Marcy Rhoades (later D’Arcy) on the television series Married… with Children.

Born on August 9, 1958, in Winter Park, Florida, Bearse began her career in the early 1980s, initially gaining recognition on the NBC sketch comedy show Fridays. Her portrayal of Marcy, the sharp-tongued and assertive neighbor on Married… with Children, made her a household name.

In addition to her acting, Amanda Bearse has made notable contributions as a director, helming numerous episodes of popular television shows like Married… with Children, Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place, and The Big Bang Theory. Her work behind the camera has been well-received, highlighting her versatility and impact in the entertainment industry.

Amanda Bearse
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Amanda Bearse
Born:	9 August 1958 (age 66 years old)
Place of Birth:	Winter Park, Florida, United States
Nationality:	American
Education:	Winter Park High School, American Film Institute, University of Southern California
Height:	1.62 m
Parents:	Ann Parker, Danforth Parker
Siblings:	N/A
Spouse:	Carrie Schenken (m. 2010)
Girlfriend • Partner:	Sandra Bernhard (1983)
Children:	Zoe Bearse
Occupation:	Actress • Comedian
Net Worth:	$2 million-$20 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Amanda Bearse was born on August 9, 1958, in Winter Park, Florida, and later moved to Atlanta, where she was raised.

In the late 1970s, she relocated to New York City to study acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse under Sanford Meisner, which set the stage for her professional career. Amanda began her acting journey in New York with television roles, most notably on All My Children, before moving to Los Angeles in 1981. She is the daughter of Ann Parker and Danforth Parker.

Amanda Bearse is Caucasian, and while her religious beliefs are not widely known, her life has been marked by strong advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community, reflecting a commitment to progressive values, though this does not necessarily indicate her religious stance.

Amanda Bearse graduated from Winter Park High School in 1976. She studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City under Sanford Meisner, significantly shaping her early acting career.

She furthered her education in directing at the American Film Institute (AFI) and the University of Southern California (USC).

Career

Amanda Bearse‘s acting career took off in the late 1970s after she moved to New York City to study at the Neighborhood Playhouse. She began with roles in soap operas like All My Children before transitioning to comedy on NBC’s Fridays, where her comedic timing earned her comparisons to a young Lucille Ball.

Her breakthrough role came in 1987 when she was cast as Marcy Rhoades (later D’Arcy) on Married… with Children. This role solidified her status as a household name, allowing her to display her comedic talents throughout the show’s 11-season run. Marcy‘s character evolved from a real estate agent to a more assertive, financially savvy woman, mirroring societal changes during the show’s tenure.

Amanda Bearse‘s interest in directing grew as her acting career progressed. She directed her first episode of Married… with Children in 1992, becoming one of the few women to direct for the series—a significant achievement during a time when female directors were rare in television.

She went on to direct episodes of several other shows, including Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place, The Big Bang Theory, Jesse, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, and The Exes. Her directorial work has been praised for its sharp comedic sensibility and her ability to connect with actors, drawing on her experience in front of the camera.

In addition to her live-action work, Amanda Bearse has lent her voice to animated series like The Real Ghostbusters, Gargoyles, and Kim Possible, demonstrating her versatility as a performer. Although her film roles have been less frequent, her performance as Amy Peterson in Fright Night (1985) remains a standout in her filmography, where she played the love interest opposite Chris Sarandon and William Ragsdale.

Social Media

• Wikipedia: Amanda Bearse
• IMDb: Amanda Bearse
• Instagram: Amanda Bearse (@mandyblvd)

Filmography

Movies

• Fright Night (1985) – Bearse played Amy Peterson, the love interest in this supernatural horror film, which has become a cult classic.
• Sky Sharks (2020) – A German comedy horror film marking her return to film after a long hiatus.
• Here Come the Munsters (1995) – Although not critically acclaimed, it’s notable for her involvement in this TV movie reboot.
• The Doom Generation (1995) – A controversial film by Gregg Araki where Bearse had a minor role.

TV Shows

• Married… with Children (1987-1997) – Bearse’s most iconic role as Marcy Rhoades (later D’Arcy), a character that became central to the show’s dynamic.
• All My Children (1982-1983) – Her early television role as Amanda Cousins, which helped her gain initial recognition.
• Drop Dead Diva (2011) – She appeared as Judge Jodi Corliss in two episodes, showcasing her versatility in different genres.
• Nikki (2000-2002) – Bearse played Marcy Rhoades in an episode, reprising her role from “Married… with Children.”
• Anger Management (2013) – She guest-starred as Rita in an episode, continuing her work in comedy.
• The Earth Day Special (1990) – An environmental special where she reprised her role as Marcy D’Arcy.

Personal Life

Amanda Bearse is widely recognized for her role as Marcy Rhoades on Married… with Children, but her personal life has also attracted attention.

In 2010, Bearse married Carrie Schenken, a camera technician in the film industry. Their long-term relationship has been a significant part of Bearse‘s life, marked by mutual support and shared careers in entertainment.

Bearse and Schenken have a daughter named Zoe Bearse, whom Bearse adopted in 1993 before meeting Schenken.

Standing at 5 feet 4 inches tall, Amanda Bearse was linked romantically with actress Sandra Bernhard in 1983, a relationship that was publicly known before her marriage to Schenken.

Net Worth

Amanda Bearse, best known for her role as Marcy Rhoades D’Arcy on the television sitcom “Married… with Children,” has amassed a significant net worth of $2 million to $20 million.