When you think about There’s Something About Mary, the first thing that pops into your head is probably the "hair gel" scene or maybe the absolute chaos of the "franks and beans" bathroom disaster. But if you look closer at that infamous 1998 flashback—the one that sets the whole movie in motion—there's a specific reason it works so well. It’s Something About Mary mom.
Honestly, Sheila Jensen, played by the late, great Markie Post, is the secret weapon of that entire sequence. She’s the anchor in a scene that is, by all accounts, total lunacy. While Ben Stiller’s Ted is screaming in agony and Keith David (as the stepfather, Charlie) is delivering some of the most aggressive, hilarious lines in comedy history, Markie Post plays it with this weirdly perfect blend of maternal concern and "I cannot believe this is happening in my house."
The Markie Post Factor: Why Casting Mattered
Casting Markie Post as Mary’s mom was a stroke of genius by the Farrelly brothers. At the time, she was basically America’s sweetheart. She was Christine Sullivan on Night Court. She was the face of wholesome, smart, professional women on television.
Then she shows up in this movie.
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She isn't just a background character. She’s Sheila Jensen. She’s the one who has to deal with the fact that her daughter’s prom date just had a catastrophic mechanical failure with his tuxedo pants.
Why the Sheila Jensen role worked:
- The Contrast: Seeing the poised woman from Night Court in a Farrelly brothers movie created an immediate, hilarious cognitive dissonance for the audience.
- The Sincerity: She didn’t play it like a cartoon. She played Sheila like a real mom who is genuinely horrified but trying to help.
- The Chemistry: Her back-and-forth with Keith David’s Charlie provided the grounded family dynamic that made the surreal comedy feel "real" enough to be painful.
It’s easy to forget that Sheila Jensen is also the mother of Warren, played by W. Earl Brown. The movie’s heart—as twisted as it is—revolves around this family unit that is fiercely protective of one another. When Sheila is on screen, you see where Mary gets her kindness, but also that slight edge of "don't mess with my kids."
What Most People Get Wrong About the Jensen Family
A lot of people remember the movie as just a string of gross-out gags. But if you watch the scenes with Something About Mary mom again, you realize she’s the one who establishes the stakes. Ted isn't just trying to get the girl; he's trying to impress a family that clearly adores her.
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Markie Post once joked in interviews that when she read the script, she thought "culture as we know it is over." Yet, she jumped in anyway. She saw the humor in the absurdity. That’s why her performance holds up. She wasn't "above" the material; she was the glue that held the flashback together.
That Infamous Flashback (A Quick Refresher)
- Ted arrives at the Jensen house.
- He meets the "tough" stepdad and the sweet mom.
- He goes to the bathroom and... well, you know.
- Sheila and Charlie have to deal with the police, the paramedics, and a very traumatized teenager.
Without Sheila’s reaction—that mix of pity and "get this kid out of my bathroom"—the scene wouldn't have the same impact. She represents the "normal" world reacting to Ted's extraordinary bad luck.
The Legacy of Sheila Jensen
Markie Post passed away in 2021, and while she had a massive career in TV, her role as Mary’s mom remains a high point for fans of 90s cinema. She brought a level of class to a movie that was intentionally low-brow.
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If you're revisiting the film, keep an eye on her expressions during the prom sequence. It’s a masterclass in reactionary acting. She isn't doing the heavy lifting of the jokes, but she is the one making the jokes land.
Next Steps for Fans:
If you want to see more of Markie Post’s range beyond the Jensen household, check out her work on Hearts Afire or her later recurring role on Scrubs. She always had this ability to be the smartest person in the room while letting everyone else be the clown.
And next time you find yourself explaining the plot of this movie to someone who hasn't seen it, don't just talk about the hair gel. Mention the mom. She’s the reason the whole thing feels like a real, albeit disastrous, memory.