Sandra Mae Trentman, fondly referred to as Sandy, was the embodiment of a small-town girl, with a life that took a dramatic turn following her parents' divorce when she was still in grade school. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a series of relocations for Sandy and her mother, who decided to uproot and settle in Van Wert, Ohio, and later in Arizona. During her high school years in Tucson, Arizona, Sandy's algebra teacher proposed to her, leaving her at the tender age of 15 to ponder whether this might be her only opportunity to tie the knot. Despite her reservations, she reluctantly accepted the proposal and the two eloped in San Diego, where her mother had secured a job at the renowned Scripps Hospital.
After her divorce, Sandy embarked on a transformative journey, rebranding herself as Sabrina Scharf and enrolling in pre-med studies at the University of Arizona. However, her academic pursuits were soon sidetracked by an unexpected fascination with the world of theater, prompting her to relocate to New York City. It was there that she stumbled upon a quaint Greenwich Village diner, which ultimately led her to join a local off-Broadway theater group.
Initially, Sabrina had no aspirations to become an actress, but she found herself gradually landing small roles in various productions. As rehearsals progressed, it became increasingly evident that acting was not her natural forte, and she came to realize that she would need to take acting classes if she was serious about pursuing a career in the performing arts.
Sabrina's future plans involved enrolling in the prestigious acting program at The Neighborhood Playhouse, a renowned institution that has produced many talented individuals in the entertainment industry. However, her aspirations were temporarily put on hold as she discovered that the program required full-time dedication, which would necessitate a significant adjustment to her lifestyle.
During a visit to California to spend time with her mother, Sabrina's New York-based agent requested a meeting with their West Coast counterparts in Los Angeles. This opportunity arose as Columbia Studios was actively developing a company of low-salaried contract players, a unique initiative that would provide Sabrina with a platform to hone her craft and gain valuable experience in the film industry.
As a result of this meeting, Sabrina was one of twelve actors selected to join the studio's company, marking the official beginning of her film career. Her first notable appearance was in an episode of the popular television series Gidget, which aired in 1965. This breakthrough role served as a stepping stone for Sabrina's future success in the entertainment industry.
Sabrina, a trailblazing individual, embarked upon a daring endeavour in 1972 by launching a campaign for the California State Senate, aspiring to shatter the glass ceiling and become the first female representative in the upper house of the California State Legislature. Although her valiant effort ultimately fell short by a mere 700 votes out of over 250,000 cast, her husband, Bob Schiller, and his writing partner, Bob Weiskopf, drew inspiration from her courageous campaign, incorporating elements of her political journey into their work on the popular sitcom Maude.
Following her foray into politics, Sabrina redirected her focus towards a career in real estate development, establishing a presence in the Greater Los Angeles Area and leaving behind her humble beginnings as a small-town girl from Ohio, her roots and upbringing having played a significant role in shaping her aspirations and ambitions.
