Sarah Sherman: Biography, SNL Career, and Personal Life

Sarah Sherman’s brand of comedy is unlike anything else on late-night TV. It’s not just the absurd costumes and fake body parts — it’s the way she turns discomfort into punchlines. Performing under the name Sarah Squirm, she joined Saturday Night Live in 2021, according to Wikipedia (the open encyclopedia). This article traces her rise from Long Island underground shows to an SNL repertory player, and answers the questions people ask most often about her life and career.

Born: March 7, 1993 · Also known as: Sarah Squirm · Occupation: Comedian, actress, screenwriter · Notable work: Saturday Night Live, Three Busy Debras, Nimona · Years active: 2016–present

Seven facts, one pattern: Sherman’s public profile is well-documented for career milestones, while her private life stays largely off the record.

What is Sarah Sherman famous for?

Her role on Saturday Night Live

• Sherman joined SNL as a featured player for season 47 in October 2021, according to Wikipedia. She was promoted to repertory status in October 2023 (Wikipedia).
• Her sketches often feature grotesque props and surreal humor, earning a devoted following (InStyle (lifestyle magazine)).
• She has become known for ongoing sketches that torment “Weekend Update” co-anchor Colin Jost (YouTube interview).

Her work as Sarah Squirm

• Before SNL, Sherman performed stand-up under the stage name Sarah Squirm, a name inspired by a high school nickname (TV Insider (TV industry news)).
• She debuted her own show Hell Trap Nightmare in Chicago college basements after graduating from Northwestern University in 2014 (Polyester Zine (independent culture magazine)).
• Her comedy special Sarah Squirm: Live + in the Flesh was produced by Josh Safdie, Ronald Bronstein, and Eli Bush, and released in 2025 (YouTube interview).

Notable film and TV appearances

• She made her television debut in an Adult Swim infomercial titled Flayaway in 2018 (TV Insider (TV industry news)).
• She opened for Eric André’s national tour in 2019 (TV Insider (TV industry news)).
• Sherman voiced a character in the animated film Nimona (2023) (Wikipedia).
• She played Rabbi Rebecca in You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah (2023) (TV Insider (TV industry news)).

Is Sarah Sherman in a relationship?

Current relationship status

• According to InStyle (lifestyle magazine), Sherman said she was too exhausted and financially strained before SNL to date seriously. She has described her comedy as personal but does not discuss romantic partners publicly.
• No confirmed public relationship information is available from any reliable source.

Past relationships

• There are no confirmed details about past relationships. Sherman keeps her personal life private, as noted in multiple profiles (Polyester Zine (independent culture magazine)).

The implication: Sherman’s personal life remains intentionally off-limits, reinforcing her focus on her career.

Why is Sarah Sherman not on SNL?

Her current status on the show

• Contrary to occasional online speculation, Sarah Sherman is still an active SNL repertory player as of 2025. Wikipedia lists her as a current cast member, and there have been no announcements of her departure.

Misconceptions about her departure

• Rumors of her leaving likely stem from confusion after seasons end or from her reduced screen time in certain episodes. But according to TV Insider (TV industry news), she remains on the show’s active roster as of the most recent season.

The catch: No news of departure is the confirmation of her continued presence.

Is Sarah Sherman related to Cindy Sherman?

Family background

• Sarah Sherman has stated in a 2026 interview that she is Jewish and grew up on Long Island (YouTube interview). Her father is not publicly identified, and no known family connections to the artist Cindy Sherman exist.

Common surname confusion

• The surname “Sherman” is common. Both are public figures, but Wikipedia explicitly notes that Sarah Sherman is not related to photographer Cindy Sherman.

What this means: The shared surname is coincidental, and no family tie exists.

Who is the nonbinary cast member on SNL?

SNL’s nonbinary cast members

• SNL hired Molly Kearney, who is nonbinary, as a featured player for season 48 (2022) and season 49 (Wikipedia). Kearney uses they/them pronouns.

Sarah Sherman’s gender identity

• Sarah Sherman uses she/her pronouns and is not nonbinary (Wikipedia). The confusion may arise because both are relatively new female-presenting cast members, but they are distinct in identity and comedy style.

The implication: Accurate identification of each performer’s pronouns is important for respect and clarity.

Quotes from Sherman and critics

“I was like, I’m not getting any younger. I didn’t get on SNL until I was 28. I was broke and exhausted. It was a really tough time.”

— Sarah Sherman to InStyle (lifestyle magazine)

“Phyllis Diller really influenced me. She was so unapologetically weird.”

— Sarah Sherman in a YouTube interview

“Her comedy is grosser than you think — and that’s the point.”

— Polyester Zine (independent culture magazine), 2024 profile

These three quotes capture the arc: a comedian who struggled, found her voice in an old-school iconoclast, and built a brand around pushing past polite limits.

The consequence: Sherman’s continued presence on SNL and her growing list of credits validate her unique approach to comedy.

For aspiring comedians, the choice is clear: develop a unique voice that no one else can replicate, and be prepared to wait until it finds its audience — or get comfortable being one of many.

Related reading: Julia Louis-Dreyfus: Biography, Net Worth, Height, Age, and Emmys · Kevin James: Allegations, Super Bowl Photo, Career & Family Questions

For a deeper look at Sarah Shermans unique comedy style, you can explore how she turned body-horror into a signature SNL persona.

Frequently asked questions