Born in the Bronx and raised in Mount Vernon, Essman launched a three-decade touring stand-up career that led to early television spots such as an HBO showcase with Joy Behar in 1988 and a 1989 appearance on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, followed by her own half-hour special on HBO’s One Night Stand in 1992. She broke into film with small roles in Crocodile Dundee II and Punchline, but gain…
