Marla Seidell was born in Chicago, Illinois. She earned a BA degree, cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, at Hofstra University and was a Fulbright scholar to the Netherlands, where she earned an MA degree in European Studies at the University of Amsterdam. After returning to Chicago and writing as a freelance journalist, she studied acting with several theaters, including The Artistic Home, A Red Orchid Theatre, and Remy Bumppo Theatre. She also studied improvisation at ComedySportz, Annoyance Theater and The Comedy Clubhouse.

Marla has accrued over 30 acting and producing credits. Her most exciting feature lead roles were for the award-winning comedy Be Your Wo/Man and the romance/thriller After Love. She was nominated for Best Actress, for playing dual roles in Be Your Wo/Man, Laugh or Die Comedy Fest, and won Best Supporting Actress for her role as a washed-up B-movie actress in Private Screening, DRUK International Festival.

Credits