If you watch TV or films with any sort of regularity, there's a good chance that you've seen Sandy Martin in at least one project. In addition to playing Y&R's "biker chick" bartender, Jimmy, the versatile actress has starred in Napoleon Dynamite, Marley & Me, and has a recurring role in IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA. However, this year, she really caught viewers' attention with her complex portrayal of "creepy he/she," Selma on BIG LOVE. Digest caught up with Martin, who happily discussed her long and illustrious career.

Soap Opera Digest: First things first: I love "Brother" Selma on BIG LOVE! What a fascinating character.
Sandy Martin: Thanks so much! It's fun to play Selma Green — she's created quite a stir.

Digest: Was she written as an androgenous character, or did you create that aspect of her?
Martin: When I auditioned, it said, "he/she" in the script and I thought it meant that they were open to a man or woman playing that role. So I went in in a business suit and auditioned. Then they asked if I'd come out to the studio for a "costume and hair" screen test. I went out there and they put me in a three-piece suit and gave me a big pompadour [laughs]. I suddenly got what they were going for. I think she's around so many powerful men that Selma feels she can play along with the high rollers by dressing like a man.

Digest: She's become a fan favorite.
Martin: I know, she's become this phenomenon. I didn't know how it would go at first because it's very strange playing someone who's in total drag. I had fun playing her and everyone who worked on the show would joke around. The vendors who were on set for just the day would be like, "What the hell is that?" But then people started contacting my Web site saying, "You're a cult figure now; we'd love to start a fan site." Now there's two: there's a site dedicated to Selma and one to me. It's a riot. Entertainment Weekly referred to her as a creepy he/she! Some people write me the strangest things, but most fans have been so nice. I'm hoping there will be more of Selma next season.

Digest: Me, too. Meanwhile, how are you enjoying Y&R?
Martin: I'm having a great time, but it's really different. My good friend Alley Mills is on B&B (as Pam) and I just have to say, hats off to those daytime actors and the crew. Soaps are a lot of work. I'm getting warmed up to the pace, but it's a challenge. Most actors have to be extremely prepared, though, no matter what they're doing. I've been an acting teacher for many years and I always tell my students that you have to be completely prepared. That's definitely the case on Y&R.

Digest: How do you know Alley?
Martin: We've done a lot of plays together and became very good friends. We see each other all the time. It's fun to go to Y&R and be able to see her at B&B since the shows are right near one another. She's a terrific actress.

Digest: It's interesting that Jimmy is also kind of an androgenous character.
Martin: Yeah, she's kind of a biker chick. I like the dive bar that she works in. I don't know what they're going to do with her, how often we'll see her. But the people at Y&R are so nice. I walk into hair and makeup and there are all these women and men who are very good-looking people and I feel like Mr. Milkbone or something, but they're been good to a newbie like me. I did a pilot with Michelle Stafford (Phyllis) a few years ago, so she knew me. Everyone else probably thought I was there to deliver a Fed Ex and she came to my rescue [laughs].

Digest: Have you had bartending experience in real life?
Martin: No, but I lived for 15 years a block from the White Horse Tavern in New York City, so I got to see them making a lot of drinks in there.

Digest: Let's talk about some of your other roles. Did you have any idea that Napoleon Dynamite would be a hit?
Martin: I've read a lot of scripts and when I read that one, I thought it was really funny. But I realized that if it wasn't executed to perfection, it could've been a real dud. It turned out to be quite the experience. We had so much fun — and look what happened. It was like, wow! I was the grandma, this fuddy-duddy old lady, in the movie. At first, it was a little daunting to be squeezing a cantaloupe at the supermarket and have someone scream, "Hey, Grandma!" at me. I guess I'm known as the queen of kooky and crusty.

Digest: Have you had any unusual fan encounters relating to Y&R?
Martin: I've gotten a lot of phone calls from friends who watch the show. The mother of my best friend from childhood called me and I hadn't heard from her in a million years. Isn't that amazing? I'm just thrilled that I've been having such a good run. The fact that I get to do comedy and drama, and now a soap opera is more than I could've asked for.