Michelle Bernard is an American actor and writer. Bernard has been working in Hollywood since January 1999, from her first feature film role in Any Given Sunday.
She had two recurring roles playing a police officer on Prime-time hit TV shows, 9-1-1. She also worked on seasons 1 and 2 of The Rookie. She has also had roles in the TV shows such as Dads, Rake, and Ironside. Bernard won an acting award in 2014 for her role-playing drug addict "Tori" in an American Film Institute film titled Young Americans which won numerous awards and accolades at the Milledgeville, GA Film Festival.
Bernard has been an member of the Television Academy of Arts and Sciences for over 10 years.
In addition to acting, Bernard is a writer, and has journals dating back to December 1998, and is currently putting together her first novel, based on her blog, "There's Always F**kin' Somethin'" and 45 hand-written journals.
Early life Bernard began paying her dues working as a background actor on shows such as Sex and the City, Law & Order and The Sopranos.
In July 2003, Bernard moved to Hollywood, CA. Bernard studied at Beverly Hills Playhouse under the direction of Milton Katselas, Allen Barton, and Art Cohan. Bernard also worked with Bobbie Chance at Expressions Unlimited and continued to perfect her craft at Improv at the famed Groundlings in Hollywood. Bernard created her own web series on YouTube called 'BackstageGirlsTV.' She starred in, produced, directed, and edited this project with Stephanie Ann Saunders.
Bernard was part the first run of the play entitled Married People: A Comedy which opened February 23, 2017, at The Zephyr Theater in Hollywood.
Bernard has also turned 45 hand-written journals into her "There's Always F**king Somethin" blog. Her first novel is currently being written.
Bernard recurred on two prime-time TV shows, and on four streaming services web-series. In March 2018, Bernard worked on her first episode of 9-1-1. She has played the role of 'Officer Carol Branford' for 9 seasons as of April 2026.
In February 2019, Bernard appeared on The Rookie, playing the role of 'Officer DeSantos' for 2 seasons.
In October 2018, Bernard worked on the web-series, Dirt. Bernard played "Randi Roach," a mob boss. Her character crossed over to On the Ropes, centering around real-life lightweight champion Ryan Garcia, which began shooting in January 2019, and aired on the BRAT Channel in February 2019.
Filmography
Film YearTitleRoleNotes1999Any Given SundayTina the Waitress/Players Wife2000Da Hip Hop WitchBig Z's Lady2011The Snow QueenFlight Attendant2012 Shit Actor's SayMichelle/Herself Short2013Santorini BlueStephanie2014Young AmericansTori HarperEasy SilenceSamantha Sway2015Body HighPunk Bus Driver2018BiancaBianca's MotherShort2019Surge of DawnMiranda/Black Out2020DisruptedCinnamonTarDetective Finnegan2022BreakingBarricade Cop2026Money's TightMotherShort
Television YearTitleRoleNotes2002Sex and the CityCigarette GirlSeason 5, Episode 12012BentBig RedPilotBackstage GirlsMichelle/HerselfMain Role - 12 Episodes2013America's Court with Judge RossChloe CruzSeason 3, Episode 195IronsideNY1 ReporterSeason 1, Episode 22014DadsAA Member #1Season 1, Episode 17Killer KidsAngela RourkeSeason 3, Episode 9Rake (American TV series)BetseySeason 1, Episode 132016Grease: Live!Hazel the WaitressCodes and ConspiraciesFBI AgentSeason 3, Episode 62018The RookieOfficer DeSantosRecurring Role - Seasons 1 - 22018–present9-1-1Officer Carol BranfordRecurring Role - Seasons 1 - 6, Season 9 - Present2019DirtRandi RoachMain Role- Season 2- 7 EpisodesOn the RopesSeason 1, Episode 8Crown LakeSeason 1, Episode 5Why Women KillRed Haired Woman 1963Season 1, Episode 22020Total EclipseRandi RoachRecurring Role - Season 52024The Neighbor Who Saw Too MuchDetectiveLifetime MovieThe Life I Can't RememberJennifer YoungLifetime Movie2025From Dumped Wife to Christmas BillionaireMomVertical Series- 1 Episode VICKatVertical Series- 3 Episodes2026The Double Life of a Billionaire's Sweet Ex-WifeThe DoctorRecurring Role - 10 EpisodesYour Ex-Wife is a Billionaire HeiressRecurring Role - 10 Episodes
Music videos YearTitleRoleNotes2013The NeighbourhoodMomI Love You (The Neighbourhood album) "Everybody's Watching Me"2014The Midnight BeastMomShtick Heads "Bass Face"Above & BeyondLouiseWe Are All We Need "We're All We Need"2024Sleepy HallowMomNon-album single "Winners in Paris"
References