Biography
Vanessa Bednar is an actress, writer, and producer with a diverse portfolio spanning film, television, and digital media. Her recent work includes the comedy sketch series Being an Actress in the '90s, which has gained a steadily growing online audience. She wrote and stars in the short film Mrs. Ed, now making its way through the festival circuit, and is currently in preproduction on the feature film A Moment in Time, based on her original screenplay. Bednar created, co-wrote, and co-produced the award-winning series Barbee Rehab, where she also plays the characters Midge, Teresa, and Strawberry Shortcake. The series features notable talents such as the late Tom Sizemore, Janice Dickinson, Bai Ling, Lisa Wilcox, Rachel Reilly, and Derek Orr, and is available on major streaming platforms. Additionally, she wrote, produced, and starred in the series Can't Let It Go. Bednar is known for her 18 recurring appearances on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and for portraying Margot Robbie’s mother in Damien Chazelle’s Babylon. Her acting credits include numerous roles in both comedic and dramatic films. A graduate of Second City and iO West, she began her screen career after earning her SAG card in 1996 with a guest role on Silk Stalkings, followed by an appearance on Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Early in her career, she appeared in films like Vegas Vacation and My Favorite Martian through Hawaiian Tropic promotional campaigns. Beyond acting, Bednar has extensive experience in live event production, having produced hundreds of model search events globally. She was the Executive Producer of the 25th Anniversary Hawaiian Tropic International Model Search featuring Everclear, which was nationally syndicated. Originally from Mount Prospect, Illinois, Bednar discovered her passion for acting while attending Oakton Community College before moving to California to advance her career. She is also the author of Left Behind (2014), a memoir reflecting on the loss of her father and offering support to those dealing with grief.
