Michelle Bernard is Recurring as “Officer Carol Branford” on the #1 show on TV, “9-1-1,” which just wrapped shooting Season . She is also Recurring as “Officer DeSantos” on “The Rookie” which just wrapped shooting Season 2. Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Michelle started her modeling career at age 15 and still works consistently in TV, Films, and Commercials.
Michelle studied English and Computer Science, at Florida State University where 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, doing print jobs, runway, and catalog work.
“Any Given Sunday” was the first film Michelle worked on, and she was a part of the amazing ensemble cast, working opposite Al Pacino and Jim Caviezel, under Oliver Stone’s brilliant direction. When the movie wrapped, this red-headed beauty headed for New York to conquer the fashion industry and the entertainment world. 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 lead her to 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, with appearances on “The View.”
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 has 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. She also enjoyed working at the famed The Second City Improv in Hollywood.
Michelle created her own web series on Youtube called BackstageGirlsTV. She starred, produced, directed, and edited this heartfelt project with working partner Stephanie Ann Saunders. She continues to work regularly, and loves being on sets, whether it be for photo shoots, commercials, TV or film. She was part of the Los Angeles Stage circuit performing in 4 shows in 12 months in 2011!
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, which also received 5 rave reviews. (see home page for links and press photos)
Michelle has also turned 34 written journals into her “There’s Always F**king Somethin'” Blog Her novel is soon to follow, it is being written.
Michelle also worked on the new hit show on CBS All Access “Why Women Kill” Directed by Marc Webb, and created by Brian Grazer and Marc Cherry for Imagine Entertainment.
In February 2019, Michelle was first seen on Season 1 of “The Rookie” on ABC, which is Executive Produced by Jon Steinberg for eOne Productions, also Executive Produced by and starring Nathan Fillion. She plays the role of Officer DeSantos. This show can be seen on Sunday nights on ABC at 10pm. Season 2 is shooting in Hollywood.
In October 2018, Michelle shot an incredible web-series, “Dirt”, for Brat Productions. Michelle plays Randi Roach, a Mob Boss, who owns everything in town, and expects respect and subservience from everyone at all times, even from her own child, River, played by Social Media Star, Hunter Rowland! Subscribe to the BRAT Channel on YouTube, to catch up on Season 1 before you binge Season 2, both streaming now.
Executive Producers at Brat asked Michelle to join their brand new show, “On the Ropes” centering around real life Light Weight Champion, Ryan Garcia, which began shooting in January 2019, and aired on the Brat Channel on 2/25/19. Tune in to watch Michelle reprise her role as Randi Roach, the Mob Boss of Glen Helen.
Executive Producers at Brat Productions has brought Michelle back to play “Randi Roach” for a 3rd Web-series, “Crown Lake” which was written by the head scribe of “Pretty Little Liars.” This show begins streaming in June of 2019 on the Brat Channel on YouTube. And she just wrapped her 4th series for Brat reprising her “Randi Roach” role.
Now living almost 17 years in Hollywood, Michelle still travels to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and to New York, NY working towards being a part of the runaway productions thriving in the Bayou and on the East Coast. The warm weather in Los Angeles appeals to this South Florida girl though, and so she keeps moving forward through patience and persistence.
