Title: Comedian Sandra Bernhard Panics Audience by Feigning Heart Attack On Stage

Sandra Bernhard Reveals Open-Heart Surgery During NYC Residency, Jokes About ‘Party Trick’ Heart Attack
By Ashleigh Gray for DailyMail.com
Published: 02:24 BST, 2 May 2025 | Updated: 04:45 BST, 2 May 2025

[Image 1: Sandra Bernhard performing at Café Carlyle in a sequined orange-red outfit. Caption: Sandra Bernhard kicked off her five-night NYC residency with a mix of comedy and music. (Credit: DailyMail.com)]

Comedian and actress Sandra Bernhard, 69, opened her five-night residency at New York City’s iconic Café Carlyle on Tuesday with a bold revelation: she recently underwent open-heart surgery. “It was planned; it wasn’t that dramatic,” she quipped to the audience, downplaying the procedure. However, she humorously contrasted her experience with other hospital patients in graver condition, declaring, “This s**t is crazy. I’m gonna pull through and get the f*** out of here.”

Bernhard, known for her sharp wit, later turned her health scare into a punchline. Mid-performance, she clutched her chest, feigned a collapse, and joked, “That’s a new party trick,” leaving the crowd both startled and laughing.

[Image 2: Bernhard clutching her chest on stage. Caption: The comedian simulated a heart attack, calling it her “new party trick.” (Credit: DailyMail.com)]

Music and Moments with Loved Ones

Backed by her Sandyland Squad Band, Bernhard blended comedy with cabaret, covering hits like McFadden & Whitehead’s Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now and Lana Del Rey’s Young and Beautiful. Her partner of over 20 years, Sara Switzer, cheered her on from the 90-person audience.

Reflecting on the show via Instagram, Bernhard wrote, “Last night @cafecarlyle [was] fun as hell. The band was beautiful, the crowd divine. I’m there tonight through Saturday. Won’t you come join us?” She credited her glam squad for her vibrant look: a sequined orange-red ensemble and voluminous ginger curls.

Café Carlyle Celebrates Her Return

The venue praised her debut on social media: “Sandra Bernhard brought the house down with her signature mix of cabaret, comedy, and cultural commentary. There’s only one @sandragbernhard.”

[Image 3: Bernhard with her band. Caption: The Sandyland Squad Band joined Bernhard for a night of music and satire. (Credit: DailyMail.com)]

Bernhard’s residency runs through May 3, blending her trademark irreverence with resilience—proving even open-heart surgery can’t stop the show.

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