Biography

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Michelle Bernard was born and raised in beautiful and multicultural Miami, Florida. Being a part of Drama and Choral clubs and classes all throughout her schooling, Michelle loved to perform and started her modeling career at age 15. Doing runway and in store shows for Wet Seal, The Limited, and Express, Michelle's first taste of the business was enough to keep her focused and motivated.       

  
After high school, Michelle furthered her studies by attending Florida State University. While studying English and Computer Science, she found a local modeling agency, Marsha Doll Models, specializing in runway and lingerie shows. This helped to keep her busy and active in the modeling industry. Print jobs, runway, and more catalog work called Michelle back to Miami and South Beach at the end of her studies.       

Any Given Sunday was the first film Michelle worked on in 1999, and she was humbled to be a part of such an amazing ensemble cast, working opposite Al Pacino, under Oliver Stone's brilliant direction. When the movie wrapped four months later, this red-headed beauty headed for New York to see if she could conquer the fashion industry and the entertainment world in the big city. Her journey introduced her to some incredible designers and photographers. Her study of acting lead her to work with prestigious teachers at Stella Adler and private coaching with famed Soprano's star Michael Imperioli. Also while in Manhattan, her modeling agency Click and through other connections, lead her to do photo-doubling, look-a-like work, and standing-in for Julia Roberts, Susan Sarandon, and Amanda Righetti, working with famed photographers Annie Leibovitz and Robert Ashcroft, including appearances on The View.    

Michelle ventured West to California in July of 2003. In Los Angeles, Michelle continued to strive and succeed. She studied at the highly respected Beverly Hills Playhouse under the direction of Milton Katselas, Allen Barton, and Art Cohan. She also worked with Bobbie Chance at Expressions Unlimited and continued to perfect her craft at Improv at the famed Groundlings in West Hollywood. Michelle also worked on her commercial skills at Killian's Commercial Workshop with the incredible Killian McHugh. She has studied with talented and seasoned character actor Sal Landi at The Pan Andres Theater in Hollywood and also enjoyed working at the famed The Second City Improv in Hollywood.   

In the summer of 2012, after the play "Lavender Love" closed, Michelle used footage shot in the backstage dressing room of the show, and created her own web series on YouTube called BackstageGirlsTV. She starred, produced, directed, and edited this heartfelt project with working partner Stephanie Ann Saunders. Michelle was part of the Los Angeles Stage circuit performing in 4 shows in 12 months from 2011-2012!   

In years following the play circuit, Michelle had a stream of bookings in TV and film, working with Academy Award and EMMYS Winning and Nominated Actors and Directors, on shows including: "Rake" with Greg Kinnear, directed by Paul Edwards, "Dads" with Seth Green and Giovanni Ribisi, directed by the brilliant Mark Cendrowski and Executive Produced by Seth MacFarlane, and "Ironside" with Blair Underwood, directed by Rob Holcomb. 

Michelle was honored to be a part the first run of the World Debut of the hilarious play entitled "Married People: A Comedy" which opened February 23rd, 2017 at The Zephyr Theater. The show broke all ticket sale records at the theater, selling out 14 out of 17 shows, with celebrities galore coming out to support the show, including Paul Reiser, Jerry Seinfeld, Leah Thompson, Mark Feuerstein, and Robert Wuhl. The show also received 5 RAVE reviews. (see home page for links and press photos)   

Michelle has also turned 43 written journals into her "There's Always F**king Somethin'" BLOG. Her novel is currently being written right now.

Michelle is recurring on 2 on Prime-time TV shows, and 4 Web-series on YouTube. In March of 2018, Michelle worked on her first episode of "9-1-1" for Season #1, which is on FOX produced by Ryan Murphy Productions. Michelle has since shot 11 Episodes, over 6 Seasons, and portrays the character "Officer Carol Branford." "9-1-1" has now become the #1 Scripted Series on TV in the Prime-time Ratings. Congratulations to the entire cast and crew for their hard work and dedication to their craft! "9-1-1"  also has been picked for syndication on all Disney Networks including USA, TNT, TBS, We, and more, check your local listings for channels and times. Seasons #1-6 can be seen on Hulu and Season #7 will premier on it's new home on ABC in March 2024.

In October 2018, Michelle shot the incredible web-series, DIRT, for BRAT Productions, playing "Randi Roach," a Mob Boss, who owns everything in town. Randi expects respect and subservience from everyone at all times, even from her own child, "River Roach," played by Social Media Star, Hunter Rowland! Subscribe to the BRAT Channel on YouTube, to catch up on Season 1 and Season 2! DIRT began streaming Season 2 in January of 2019 and is ready for you to binge watch. Michelle recently WON the "Silver People's Telly Award" for her portrayal of this malicious and horrible Mob Boss, CONGRATS!!!

In February 2019, Michelle was first seen on "The Rookie" on ABC, which is Executive Produced by eOne Productions and ABC/Disney by Jonathan Steinberg and Alexi Hawley, also Executive Produced and starring Nathan Fillion.  Michelle plays the role of "Officer DeSantos." This fun police procedural, now in Season #6, can be seen on Tuesday nights on ABC at 9pm.

Executive Producers at BRAT asked Michelle to reprise her role as "Randi Roach" and join their another show, "On the Ropes" centering around real life Light Weight Champion, Ryan Garcia.  This began shooting in January 2019, and started airing on the BRAT Channel in February of 2019. Tune in to watch Michelle reprise her role as "Randi  Roach," the Mob Boss of Glen Helen.

Michelle shot her 3rd Web-series for BRAT as "Randi Roach" in another show "Crown Lake," written by head scribe of "Pretty Little Liars," Sara Shepherd. This fun series started streaming in June of 2019. New episodes are shooting now.

Michelle worked on her 4th series for BRAT Productions, reprising her role as "Randi Roach" again in one of their top rated web-series, "Total Eclipse," starring Social Media stars Mackenzie Ziegler and Emily Skinner. New episodes started airing Summer 2020. Watch here.

Now living and working in Hollywood for over 20 years, Michelle still travels to Louisiana, Georgia, and New York, working towards being a part of all of the productions for the big and small screens thriving in the Bayou and on the East Coast. The warm weather in Los Angeles appeals to this South Florida girl, who keeps moving forward through patience, persistence, and perseverance. 

Thank you all for your continued support and love, always! ❤️

"This  is one of the hardest industries to work in, but I love living out my dreams. I go to sleep each night with a smile on my face, doing what I love, and loving what I do. Pursuing  your goals is so important.  Live each day to it's potential, why else  are we here on Earth? "

~Michelle Bernard~