Wendy Martel was born August 21, 1961 in Pasadena, California. She worked in local theater from a young age, continuing to act through high school. After graduating from John Muir High School in Pasadena with the Class of 1979, she then attended Scripps College, graduating in 1983, and went on to star in many musicals at local playhouses. Then, in October 1990, Wendy married Kenny Vilkin. They moved to Washington state to start a family. Wendy resided near Vancouver, Washington with Kenny and her four children where she performed with local theaters.