Martha Raye facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Martha Raye
Raye in c. 1930s
Born	Margy Reed (1916-08-27)August 27, 1916 Butte, Montana, U.S.
Died	October 19, 1994(1994-10-19) (aged 78) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting place	Main Post Cemetery in Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Occupation	Actress, singer, comedian
Years active	1934–1989
Spouse(s)	Bud Westmore ​ ​ (m. 1937; div. 1937)​ David Rose ​ ​ (m. 1938; div. 1941)​ Neal Lang ​ ​ (m. 1941; div. 1944)​ Nick Condos ​ ​ (m. 1944; div. 1953)​ Edward T. Begley ​ ​ (m. 1954; div. 1956)​ Robert O'Shea ​ ​ (m. 1956; div. 1960)​ Mark Harris ​ (m. 1991)​
Children	1

Martha Raye (born Margy Reed; August 27, 1916 – October 19, 1994) was a famous American actress, singer, and comedian. She was known for her energetic performances and her big, expressive mouth, which earned her the nickname "The Big Mouth." Martha Raye starred in many movies and TV shows, and also performed on Broadway. She was also honored for her amazing volunteer work helping soldiers.

Early Life and Family

Martha Raye's journey into entertainment started when she was very young. She was born Margy Reed in Butte, Montana, on August 27, 1916. Her parents, Peter and Maybelle Reed, were both performers in a type of theater called vaudeville.

Just two days after Martha was born, her mother was back on stage! Martha first joined her parents' act when she was only three years old. Later, she performed with her brother, Bud. They were so good that their parents' act was renamed "Margie and Bud."

A Star is Born: Her Career Begins

In the early 1930s, Martha Raye became a singer with different bands. She made her first movie appearance in 1934 in a short film. In 1936, she signed a contract with Paramount Pictures to act in funny roles. Her first big movie was Rhythm on the Range with the famous singer Bing Crosby.

Martha also performed on Broadway, which is the highest level of live theater. She starred in musicals like Calling All Stars, Hello, Dolly!, and No, No, Nanette.

Radio, Movies, and the "Big Mouth"

From 1936 to 1939, Martha was a regular on Al Jolson's weekly radio show, The Lifebuoy Program. She sang and performed comedy sketches. Over the years, she worked with many top comedians like Bob Hope, W. C. Fields, Abbott and Costello, and Charlie Chaplin.

Martha was famous for her large mouth, which led to her nickname, "The Big Mouth." She even used this nickname in commercials later in her career, saying, "So take it from The Big Mouth: new Polident Green gets tough stains clean!" Her unique mouth often led to her playing funny supporting roles in movies. She was even made fun of in cartoons, like the Disney cartoon Mother Goose Goes Hollywood.

Helping the Troops and Special Awards

Martha Raye was a true patriot. She joined the USO in 1942, right after the U.S. entered World War II. She traveled all over the world to entertain soldiers, often in dangerous places. Her dedication to the troops was incredible.

For her volunteer work, she received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in 1968. This award is like an Oscar given for outstanding humanitarian efforts. In 1993, President Bill Clinton gave her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This is one of the highest awards a civilian can receive in the United States, given for special service to the country.

Television and Later Roles

Martha Raye was one of the first stars to have her own TV show. She starred in The Martha Raye Show from 1954 to 1956, where she often appeared with retired boxer Rocky Graziano. She also appeared on other popular TV shows like What's My Line?

Later in her career, she became well-known for her funny TV commercials for Polident denture cleaner. She also played the evil Boss Witch in the movie Pufnstuf (1970) and the villain Benita Bizarre in the TV show The Bugaloos.

Martha often appeared as a guest star on many TV programs, including The Love Boat and Murder, She Wrote. She also played Carrie Sharples, Mel's mother, on the popular show Alice. Her last movie role was in The Concorde ... Airport '79 in 1979.

Personal Life

Martha Raye had a busy personal life. She was married seven times and had one daughter named Melodye.

She was a religious person and attended church regularly. She believed strongly in the U.S. Constitution and the importance of individual freedom.

Final Years and Legacy

In her later years, Martha Raye faced several health challenges. She passed away on October 19, 1994, at the age of 78.

Because of her amazing work with the USO and her dedication to the military, she was given special honors. She was made an honorary colonel in the U.S. Marines and an honorary lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army. She was even made an honorary Green Beret for her work in Vietnam.

Martha Raye was buried with full military honors at the Main Post cemetery in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. This was a special request to be buried with the United States Army Special Forces, who she loved and supported.

Martha Raye has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. One is for her movies and the other is for her television work.

Filmography

Film

Television

• Four Star Revue (host from 1951–1953) – Herself
• The Martha Raye Show (1954–1956) – Herself
• What's My Line? (mystery guest December 11, 1955) – Herself
• Club Oasis (1958) – Herself
• The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Show (episode "Circus", December 8, 1962) – Herself
• The Red Skelton Show (1963) – Herself
• The Judy Garland Show (1964) – Herself
• Password (March 25, 1965) - Herself
• The Hollywood Palace (April 2, 1966) – Herself
• The Carol Burnett Show (1967, 1969,1970) – Herself
• The Bugaloos (1970–1972) – Benita Bizarre
• McMillan (1976–1977) – Agatha
• 'Twas the Night Before Christmas (1977, TV special) – Nellie's mother
• Skinflint: A Country Christmas Carol (1979, TV movie) – Ghost of Christmas Past
• Alice (1979–1984) – Carrie Sharples
• The Gossip Columnist (1980, TV movie) – Georgia O'Hanlon
• Pippin: His Life and Times (1981, TV movie) – Berthe
• Murder, She Wrote (1985) – Sadie Winthrope
• Alice in Wonderland (1985, TV movie) – The Duchess (final film role)

Stage work

• Calling All Stars (1934)
• Hold On to Your Hats (1940)
• Annie Get Your Gun (1951)
• Anything Goes (1958)
• Wildcat (1962)
• Call Me Madam (1963)
• The Solid Gold Cadillac (1964)
• Hello Dolly! (1967)
• Goodbye Charlie (1968)
• Hello, Sucker! (1969) (closed on the road)
• Everybody Loves Opal (1970; 1988)
• No, No, Nanette (1972) (replacement for Patsy Kelly)
• Pippin (1981)
• 4 Girls 4 (1982)
• Annie (1983)
• The Prince of Central Park (1989) (replaced by Jo Anne Worley prior to opening)

See also

In Spanish: Martha Raye para niños