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| image = MARTHA RAYE.jpg
| image = MARTHA RAYE.jpg
| image_size = 250px
| image_size = 250px
| caption = Raye in {{circa|1930}}s
| caption =
| birthname = Margy Reed
| birthname = Margy Reed
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1916|8|27}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1916|8|27}}
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| death_date = {{Death date and age|1994|10|19|1916|8|27}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1994|10|19|1916|8|27}}
| death_place = [[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, California]], U.S.
| death_place = [[Los Angeles|Los Angeles, California]], U.S.
| resting_place = Main Post Cemetery in [[Fort Bragg, North Carolina]]
| resting_place = Main Post Cemetery in [[Fort Liberty, North Carolina]]
| years_active = 1934–1989
| years_active = 1934–1989
| occupation = Actress, singer, comedian
| occupation = Actress, singer, comedian
| spouse = {{plainlist|
| spouse = {{marriage|[[Bud Westmore]]|1937|1937|end=divorced}}<br />{{marriage|[[David Rose (musician)|David Rose]]|1938|1941|end=divorced}}<br />{{marriage|Neal Lang|1941|1944|end=divorced}}<br />{{marriage|Nick Condos|1944|1953|end=divorced}}<br />{{marriage|Edward T. Begley|1954|1956|end=divorced}}<br />{{marriage|Robert O'Shea|1956|1960|end=divorced}}<br />{{marriage|Mark Harris|1991}}
* {{marriage|[[Bud Westmore]]|1937|1937|end=divorced}}
* {{marriage|[[David Rose (musician)|David Rose]]|1938|1941|end=divorced}}
* {{marriage|Neal Lang|1941|1944|end=divorced}}
* {{marriage|Nick Condos|1944|1953|end=divorced}}
* {{marriage|Edward T. Begley|1954|1956|end=divorced}}
* {{marriage|Robert O'Shea|1956|1960|end=divorced}}
* {{marriage|Mark Harris|1991}}
}}
| children = 1
| children = 1
}}
}}


'''Martha Raye''' (born '''Margy Reed'''; August 27, 1916 – October 19, 1994), nicknamed '''The Big Mouth''', was an American comic actress and singer who performed in movies, and later on television. She also acted in plays, including Broadway.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Van Gelder|first1=Lawrence|title=Martha Raye, 78, Singer And Comic Actress, Dies|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/10/20/obituaries/martha-raye-78-singer-and-comic-actress-dies.html|access-date=15 December 2014|work=New York Times|date=20 October 1994}}</ref>
'''Martha Raye''' (born '''Margy Reed'''; August 27, 1916 – October 19, 1994), nicknamed '''The Big Mouth''', was an American comic actress and singer who performed in movies, and later on television. She also acted in plays, including on Broadway.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Van Gelder|first1=Lawrence|title=Martha Raye, 78, Singer And Comic Actress, Dies|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/10/20/obituaries/martha-raye-78-singer-and-comic-actress-dies.html|access-date=15 December 2014|work=New York Times|date=20 October 1994}}</ref>
She was honored in 1969 at the [[Academy Awards]] as the [[Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award]] recipient for her volunteer efforts and services to the troops.
She was honored in 1969 at the [[Academy Awards]] as the [[Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award]] recipient for her volunteer efforts and services to the troops.


==Early years==
==Early years==
Raye's life as a singer and comedic performer began in very early childhood. She was born at St. James Hospital in [[Butte, Montana]], as Margy Reed;<ref>[http://www.colonelmaggie.com/images/BirthCertificate.jpg ''Birth Certificate''], ColonelMaggie.com; accessed September 16, 2014.</ref><ref name=raye2>{{cite web|title=125 Montana Newsmakers: Martha Raye|url=http://www.greatfallstribune.com/multimedia/125newsmakers6/raye.html|work=Great Falls Tribune|author=Tribune staff|access-date=August 28, 2011}}</ref> despite her birth certificate showing Reed, some sources in the 1970s and 1980s gave her the surname O'Reed.<ref>''New York'', 19 January 1981, p. 108: 26 January 1981 p. 90.</ref><ref name="Clarke">{{cite book|title=Pseudonyms|author=Joseph F. Clarke|publisher=BCA|date=1977|page=138}}</ref>
Raye was born at St. James Hospital in Butte, Montana, as Margy Reed,<ref>[http://www.colonelmaggie.com/images/BirthCertificate.jpg ''Birth Certificate''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203181006/http://www.colonelmaggie.com/images/BirthCertificate.jpg |date=2022-02-03 }}, ColonelMaggie.com; accessed September 16, 2014.</ref><ref name=raye2>{{cite web|title=125 Montana Newsmakers: Martha Raye|url=http://www.greatfallstribune.com/multimedia/125newsmakers6/raye.html|work=Great Falls Tribune|author=Tribune staff|access-date=August 28, 2011}}</ref> the daughter of Irish immigrant Peter F. Reed Jr., and Maybelle Hazel (Hooper) Reed, who had been raised in Milwaukee and Montana.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1368&dat=19400227&id=dWYcAAAAIBAJ&pg=6898,4941726|title=The Milwaukee Sentinel|via=Google News Archive Search|website=News.google.com}}{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Her parents were performing in a local [[vaudeville]] theatre as Reed and Hooper when their daughter was born.<ref>{{cite news|author=Lawrence Van Gelder|title=Martha Raye, 78, Singer and Comic Actress, Dies|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A02E3DD1E3CF933A15753C1A962958260|work=The New York Times|date=October 20, 1994|access-date=2008-01-17}}</ref>

Her father, Peter F. Reed Jr., was an Irish immigrant; her mother, Maybelle Hazel (Hooper) Reed, was raised in Milwaukee and Montana.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1368&dat=19400227&id=dWYcAAAAIBAJ&pg=6898,4941726|title=The Milwaukee Sentinel|via=Google News Archive Search|website=News.google.com}}{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Her parents were performing in a local [[vaudeville]] theatre as Reed and Hooper when their daughter was born.<ref>{{cite news|author=Lawrence Van Gelder|title=Martha Raye, 78, Singer And Comic Actress, Dies|url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A02E3DD1E3CF933A15753C1A962958260|work=The New York Times|date=October 20, 1994|access-date=2008-01-17}}</ref> Two days later, her mother was performing again. Martha first appeared in their act when she was three years old. She later performed with her brother Bud, and the children became so popular that their parents' act was renamed Margie and Bud.{{cn|date=April 2022}}


==Career==
==Career==
In the early 1930s, Raye was a band vocalist with the Paul Ash and [[Boris Morros]] orchestras. She made her first film appearance in 1934 in a band short titled ''A Nite in the Nite Club''. In 1936, she was signed for comic roles by [[Paramount Pictures]], and made her first picture for Paramount. Her first feature film was ''[[Rhythm on the Range]]'' with crooner [[Bing Crosby]]. She made her [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] debut in the [[Harry Akst]] musical ''[[Calling All Stars (1934 musical)|Calling All Stars]]'' in 1934, and later returned to Broadway in starring roles in [[E. Y. Harburg|Yip Harburg]]'s ''[[Hold On to Your Hats]]'' (1941, as Marnie), [[Jerry Herman]]'s ''[[Hello, Dolly! (musical)|Hello, Dolly!]]'' (1967, as Dolly), and [[Vincent Youmans]]'s ''[[No, No, Nanette]]'' (1972, as Pauline).
As a teenager in the early 1930s, Raye began her career as a vocalist with the Paul Ash and [[Boris Morros]] orchestras. She made her first film appearance in a band short titled ''A Nite in the Nite Club'' (1934). In 1936, she was signed for comic roles by [[Paramount Pictures]]; her first feature film was ''[[Rhythm on the Range]]'' with [[Bing Crosby]]. She made her [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] debut in the [[Harry Akst]] musical ''[[Calling All Stars (1934 musical)|Calling All Stars]]'' in 1934, and later returned to Broadway in starring roles in [[E. Y. Harburg|Yip Harburg]]'s ''[[Hold On to Your Hats]]'' (1941), [[Jerry Herman]]'s ''[[Hello, Dolly! (musical)|Hello, Dolly!]]'' (1967), and [[Vincent Youmans]]'s ''[[No, No, Nanette]]'' (1972).


From 1936–1939, she was a featured cast member in 39 episodes of [[Al Jolson]]'s weekly CBS radio show, ''The Lifebuoy Program'', also called ''Cafe Trocadero.'' In addition to comedy, Raye sang both solos and duets with Jolson. Over the next quarter century, she would appear with many of the leading comics of her day, including [[Joe E. Brown]], [[Bob Hope]], [[W. C. Fields]], [[Abbott and Costello]] (in ''Keep 'Em Flying''), [[Charlie Chaplin]] (in ''Monsieur Verdoux''), and [[Jimmy Durante]]. She joined the [[United Service Organizations|USO]] in 1942, soon after the US entered World War II.<ref name="rayeMT">{{cite web|url=https://www.uso.org/stories/1804-martha-raye-healing-through-humor|title=Martha Raye: Healing Through Humor|last=Quigley|first=Samantha|date=April 26, 2013|publisher=United Service Organizations|work=USO.org|access-date=October 26, 2016}}</ref><ref name="SI"/>
From 1936 to 1939, she was a featured cast member in 39 episodes of [[Al Jolson]]'s weekly CBS radio show, ''The Lifebuoy Program'', also called ''Cafe Trocadero.'' In addition to comedy, Raye sang both solos and duets with Jolson. Over the next quarter century, she would appear in films with many of the leading comics of her day, including [[Joe E. Brown]], [[Bob Hope]], [[W.C. Fields]], [[Abbott and Costello]], [[Charlie Chaplin]] and [[Jimmy Durante]]. She joined the [[United Service Organizations|USO]] in 1942, soon after the US entered World War II.<ref name="rayeMT">{{cite web|url=https://www.uso.org/stories/1804-martha-raye-healing-through-humor|title=Martha Raye: Healing Through Humor|last=Quigley|first=Samantha|date=April 26, 2013|publisher=United Service Organizations|work=USO.org|access-date=October 26, 2016}}</ref><ref name="SI"/>


She was known for the size of her mouth, which was large in proportion to her face, earning her the nickname The Big Mouth. She later referred to this in a series of television commercials for [[Polident]] denture cleaner in the 1980s: "So take it from The Big Mouth: new Polident Green gets tough stains clean!" Her large mouth would relegate her motion picture work to supporting comic parts, and was often made up so it appeared even larger. In the [[Disney]] cartoon ''[[Mother Goose Goes Hollywood]]'', she is caricatured while dancing alongside [[Joe E. Brown]], another actor known for a big mouth. In the [[Warner Bros.]] cartoon ''[[The Woods Are Full of Cuckoos]]'' (1937), she was caricatured as a jazzy scat-singing donkey named 'Moutha Bray'.<ref>{{cite book|last=Pittrone|first=Jane Maddern|page=216|title=Take It from the Big Mouth: The Life of Martha Raye|publisher=University of Kentucky Press|year=1999}}</ref>
She was known for the size of her mouth, which was large in proportion to her face, earning her the nickname "The Big Mouth". She later referred to this in a series of television commercials for [[Polident]] denture cleaner in the 1980s: "So take it from The Big Mouth: new Polident Green gets tough stains clean!" Her large mouth would relegate her motion picture work to supporting comic parts, and was often made up so it appeared even larger. In the [[Disney]] cartoon ''[[Mother Goose Goes Hollywood]]'', she is caricatured while dancing with [[Joe E. Brown]], another actor known for a big mouth. In the [[Warner Bros.]] cartoon ''[[The Woods Are Full of Cuckoos]]'' (1937), she was caricatured as a jazzy scat-singing donkey named 'Moutha Bray'.<ref>{{cite book|last=Pittrone|first=Jane Maddern|page=216|title=Take It from the Big Mouth: The Life of Martha Raye|publisher=University of Kentucky Press|year=1999}}</ref>


In 1968, she was awarded the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in the form of an Oscar. After her death the statuette was displayed for many years in a specially constructed lighted niche at the Friars Club in Beverly Hills. On November 2, 1993, she was awarded the [[Presidential Medal of Freedom]] by President [[Bill Clinton]] for her service to her country.<ref name=rayeMT /><ref name="SI"/> The citation reads:
In 1969, she was awarded the [[Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award]] in the form of an Oscar at the [[41st Academy Awards]]. She was the first woman to receive this award.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Martha Raye receives the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award: 1969 Oscars |url=https://www.oscars.org/videos-photos/41st-oscars-highlights?fid=14431 |url-status=live |website=[[Oscars.org]]}}</ref> After her death, the statuette was displayed for many years in a specially constructed lighted niche at the Friars Club in Beverly Hills. On November 2, 1993, she was awarded the [[Presidential Medal of Freedom]] by President [[Bill Clinton]] for her service to her country.<ref name=rayeMT /><ref name="SI"/> The citation reads:


<blockquote>A talented performer whose career spans the better part of a century, Martha Raye has delighted audiences and uplifted spirits around the globe. She brought her tremendous comedic and musical skills to her work in film, stage, and television, helping to shape American entertainment. The great courage, kindness, and patriotism she showed in her many tours during World War II, the [[Korean War]], and the [[Vietnam War]] earned her the nickname 'Colonel Maggie'. The American people honor Martha Raye, a woman who has tirelessly used her gifts to benefit the lives of her fellow Americans.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.war-veterans.org/Maggie.htm|title=Col Martha Maggie Raye|website=War-veterans.org}}</ref></blockquote>
{{blockquote|A talented performer whose career spans the better part of a century, Martha Raye has delighted audiences and uplifted spirits around the globe. She brought her tremendous comedic and musical skills to her work in film, stage, and television, helping to shape American entertainment. The great courage, kindness, and patriotism she showed in her many tours during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War earned her the nickname Colonel Maggie. The American people honor Martha Raye, a woman who has tirelessly used her gifts to benefit the lives of her fellow Americans.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.war-veterans.org/Maggie.htm|title=Col Martha Maggie Raye|website=War-veterans.org}}</ref>}}


===Television career===
===Television career===
She was a television star very early in its history. She starred in the short-lived (28 episodes) ''The Martha Raye Show'' (1954–1956), opposite retired [[middleweight]] boxer [[Rocky Graziano]], who played her boyfriend. (Raye was known to call Graziano "[[goombah]]", the Sicilian abbreviation of the Italian 'compáré' ('cumpari' in Southern Italian - friend, comrade)). The writer and producer was future ''[[The Phil Silvers Show]]'' creator [[Nat Hiken]].
She was a television star very early in its history. She starred in the short-lived (28 episodes) ''The Martha Raye Show'' (1954–1956), opposite retired [[middleweight]] boxer [[Rocky Graziano]], who played her boyfriend. The writer and producer was future ''[[The Phil Silvers Show]]'' creator [[Nat Hiken]].


Some of the guest stars on the show were [[Zsa Zsa Gabor]], [[Cesar Romero]], and Broadway dancer [[Wayne Lamb]]. She also appeared on other TV shows in the 1950s, such as ''[[What's My Line?]]''
Some of the guest stars on the show were [[Zsa Zsa Gabor]], [[Cesar Romero]], and Broadway dancer [[Wayne Lamb]]. She also appeared on other TV shows in the 1950s, such as ''[[What's My Line?]]''


Following the demise of her TV variety show, the breakup of her fifth marriage, and a series of other personal and health problems, she attempted [[suicide]] by overdosing on sleeping pills on August 14, 1956. Well-wishers gave her a [[St. Christopher]]'s medal, a [[Genesius of Rome|St. Genesius]] medal, and a [[Star of David]]. After her recovery, she wore these amulets faithfully, although she was neither Catholic nor Jewish. At the conclusion of each episode of her TV shows, she would thank the nuns at the Sisters of St. Francis Hospital in Miami, Florida, where she had recovered. She always said "Goodnight, Sisters" as a sign of appreciation and gratitude.
Following the demise of her TV variety show, the breakup of her fifth marriage, and a series of other personal and health problems, she attempted suicide by overdosing on sleeping pills on August 14, 1956. Well-wishers gave her a [[St. Christopher]]'s medal, a [[Genesius of Rome|St. Genesius]] medal, and a [[Star of David]]. After her recovery, she wore these amulets faithfully, but she was neither Catholic nor Jewish. At the conclusion of each episode of her TV shows, she would thank the nuns at the Sisters of St. Francis Hospital in Miami, Florida, where she had recovered. She always said "Goodnight, Sisters" as a sign of appreciation and gratitude.


Later in her career, she made television commercials for [[Polident]] denture cleanser, principally during the 1970s and 1980s.
Later in her career, she made television commercials for [[Polident]] denture cleanser, principally during the 1970s and 1980s.


===Later career===
===Later career===
In 1970, she portrayed Boss Witch, the "Queen of all Witchdom", in the feature film ''[[Pufnstuf (film)|Pufnstuf]]'' for [[Sid and Marty Krofft]]. This led to her being cast as villainess Benita Bizarre in ''[[The Bugaloos]]'' (1970), which the Kroffts produced the same year.
In 1970, she portrayed Boss Witch, the "Queen of all Witchdom", in the feature film ''[[Pufnstuf (film)|Pufnstuf]]'' for [[Sid and Marty Krofft]]. This role led to her being cast as villainess Benita Bizarre in ''[[The Bugaloos]]'' (1970), which the Kroffts produced the same year.


She often appeared as a guest on other programs, particularly those which often featured older performers as guest stars, such as [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s ''[[The Love Boat]]'', and also on variety programs, including the short-lived ''[[The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Show]]''. She appeared from the third to the ninth seasons as Carrie Sharples, Mel's mother on ''[[Alice (American TV series)|Alice]]'', making two or three appearances a season. She made guest appearances or did [[cameo role]]s in such series as ''[[Murder, She Wrote]]'' on CBS and ''[[The Andy Williams Show]]'' and ''[[McMillan & Wife]]'', both on [[NBC]]. She appeared again as Agatha for the six-episode run of the retooled ''McMillan'', taking over for [[Nancy Walker]], who had left the series. Her last film appearance was as an incontinent airline passenger in the disaster film ''[[The Concorde ... Airport '79]]'' (1979).
She often appeared as a guest on other programs, particularly those which often featured older performers as guest stars, such as ''[[The Love Boat]]'', and on variety programs, including the short-lived ''[[The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Show]]''. She appeared from the third to the ninth seasons as Carrie Sharples, Mel's mother on ''[[Alice (American TV series)|Alice]]'', making two or three appearances per season. She made guest appearances or did cameos in series such as ''[[Murder, She Wrote]]'', ''[[The Andy Williams Show]]'', and ''[[McMillan & Wife]]''. She appeared again as Agatha for the six-episode run of the retooled ''McMillan'', taking over for [[Nancy Walker]], who had left the series. Her last film appearance was as an airline passenger in the disaster film ''[[The Concorde ... Airport '79]]'' (1979).


{{Anchor|Mark Harris}}
{{Anchor|Mark Harris}}


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Raye's personal life was complex and emotionally tumultuous.<ref name="ms540425">{{cite news|first=Martha|last=Raye|work=[[The American Weekly]]|page=7|title=Me and My Big Mouth|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=53QxAAAAIBAJ&pg=5898,6485827&dq=martha-raye-show&hl=en|date=April 25, 1954|access-date=February 8, 2011}}{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> She was married seven times.
Raye's personal life was complex and emotionally tumultuous.<ref name="ms540425">{{cite news|first=Martha|last=Raye|work=The American Weekly|page=7|title=Me and My Big Mouth|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=53QxAAAAIBAJ&pg=5898,6485827&hl=en|date=April 25, 1954|access-date=February 8, 2011}}{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> She was married seven times.


Raye was a devout [[Methodism|Methodist]]. She regularly attended church, read the Bible daily, and taught [[Sunday school]].<ref>Pitrone, Maddern Jean (1999). ''Take It from the Big Mouth: The Life of Martha Raye'' Hardcover, The University of Kentucky Press, pp. 220–221 {{ISBN|0-8131-2110-8}}</ref> Because her religious views were often misconstrued, she said, "One paper says I'm Catholic and the other says I'm Jewish. I guess that's fitting because, as a Methodist, I'm meant to be undetermined some of the time".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.azquotes.com/quote/1120507|title=Martha Raye Quote|website=A–Z Quotes}}</ref>
Raye was a devout [[Methodist]]. She regularly attended church, read the Bible daily, and taught Sunday school.<ref>Pitrone, Maddern Jean (1999). ''Take It from the Big Mouth: The Life of Martha Raye'' Hardcover, The University of Kentucky Press, pp. 220–221 {{ISBN|0-8131-2110-8}}</ref> Because her religious views often were misconstrued, she said "One paper says I'm Catholic, and the other says I'm Jewish. I guess that's fitting because, as a Methodist, I'm meant to be undetermined some of the time".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.azquotes.com/quote/1120507|title=Martha Raye Quote|website=A–Z Quotes}}</ref>


Her engagement to orchestra leader Johnny Torrence was announced in June 1936.<ref>{{Cite news|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |title=Martha Raye, Film Actress, Engaged to Band Leader |date=June 25, 1936 |page=17 |issue=Final }}</ref> Less than two months later she commented, "They tell me I've gone Hollywood already because I got engaged to Johnny Torrence one day and broke it off the next."<ref>{{Cite news|newspaper=[[Salt Lake Telegram]] |title=Funny Face Wins Star Niche For Martha Raye |date=August 15, 1936 |page=8 |issue=Home Edition}}</ref>
Her engagement to orchestra leader Johnny Torrence was announced in June 1936.<ref>{{Cite news|newspaper=Chicago Tribune |title=Martha Raye, Film Actress, Engaged to Band Leader |date=June 25, 1936 |page=17 |issue=Final }}</ref> Less than two months later she commented, "They tell me I've gone Hollywood already because I got engaged to Johnny Torrence one day and broke it off the next."<ref>{{Cite news|newspaper=Salt Lake Telegram |title=Funny Face Wins Star Niche For Martha Raye |date=August 15, 1936 |page=8 |issue=Home Edition}}</ref>


She was married to make-up artist [[Bud Westmore|Hamilton "Buddy" Westmore]] from May 30, 1937, until September 1937, filing for divorce on the basis of extreme cruelty; to composer-conductor [[David Rose (songwriter)|David Rose]] from October 8, 1938, to May 19, 1941; to Neal Lang from May 25, 1941, to February 3, 1944; to Nick Condos from February 22, 1944, to June 17, 1953; to Edward T. Begley from April 21, 1954, to October 6, 1956; to Robert O'Shea from November 7, 1956, to December 1, 1960; and to Mark Harris from September 25, 1991, until her death in 1994. She had one child, a daughter, Melodye Condos (born July 26, 1944), with her fourth husband, Nick Condos.
She was married to make-up artist [[Bud Westmore|Hamilton "Buddy" Westmore]] from May 30, 1937, until September 1937, filing for divorce on the basis of extreme cruelty; to composer-conductor [[David Rose (songwriter)|David Rose]] from October 8, 1938, to May 19, 1941; to Neal Lang from May 25, 1941, to February 3, 1944; to Nick Condos from February 22, 1944, to June 17, 1953; to Edward T. Begley from April 21, 1954, to October 6, 1956; to Robert O'Shea from November 7, 1956, to December 1, 1960; and to Mark Harris from September 25, 1991, until her death in 1994.<ref name="wapo/rayes-december">{{cite news |last1=Rusoff |first1=Jane Wollman |title=MARTHA RAYE'S WARM DECEMBER |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1991/12/28/martha-rayes-warm-december/6bcb66a2-e1d6-4a09-927b-766bb6779aeb/ |access-date=18 September 2023 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=28 December 1991}}</ref> She had one child, a daughter born in July 1944, with Nick Condos. Melodye Condos was named after Raye's recently deceased younger sister.<ref>Pitrone, ''op. cit.,'' [https://archive.org/details/takeitfrombigmou00pitr/page/64/mode/2up?q=%22she+named+the+baby+melodye%22 pp. 65], [https://archive.org/details/takeitfrombigmou00pitr/page/56/mode/2up?q=%22melodye+had+died%22 57].</ref>


Politically, Raye was [[Conservatism|conservative]], affirming her political views by informing an interviewer in 1984, "I believe in the constitution, strength in national defense, limited government, individual freedom, and personal responsibility. They reinforce the resolve the United States is the greatest country in the world and we can all be eternally grateful to our founding fathers for the beautiful legacy they left us."<ref>Interview, ''The Hollywood Reporter'', 1984.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.azquotes.com/quote/1120508|title=Martha Raye Quote|website=A–Z Quotes}}</ref>
Politically, Raye was conservative, affirming in a 1984 interview: "I believe in the constitution, strength in national defense, limited government, individual freedom, and personal responsibility. They reinforce the resolve that the United States is the greatest country in the world, and we can all be eternally grateful to our founding fathers for the beautiful legacy they left us."<ref>Interview, ''The Hollywood Reporter'', 1984.</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.azquotes.com/quote/1120508|title=Martha Raye Quote|website=A–Z Quotes}}</ref>


===Death===
===Death===
Raye died at age 78 of pneumonia on October 19, 1994.<ref>Pitrone, ''op. cit.,'' [https://archive.org/details/takeitfrombigmou00pitr/page/218/mode/2up?q=%22ms+raye+had+died+of+pneumonia%22 p. 219]</ref>
Raye's final years were plagued by ill health. She had a history of cardiovascular disease and suffered from [[Alzheimer's disease]], in addition to losing both legs in 1993 due to poor circulation. While resting in the hospital-type bed in her home, she and her husband Mark Harris (who, because of their controversial [[Age disparity in sexual relationships|May/December relationship]], became a frequent guest on the popular Howard Stern radio program) were forced to move into a hotel after their house was destroyed in the [[1994 Northridge earthquake]].{{cn|date=March 2020}} Raye died at age 78 of [[pneumonia]] on October 19, 1994.


==Legacy==
Appreciation of her work with the [[United Service Organizations|USO]] during World War II and subsequent wars led to her being named both an honorary colonel in the U.S. Marines and an honorary lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army, and earned special consideration to be buried in [[Arlington National Cemetery]]. Upon her death it was instead requested that she be buried with full military honors in the [[Fort Bragg]] Main Post cemetery<ref name="SI">{{cite web |last1=Blazich |first1=Frank |title="Maggie of the Boondocks": Martha Raye and a lifetime of service to the U.S. Armed Forces |url=https://americanhistory.si.edu/blog/martha-raye |website=National Museum of American History: O Say Can You See? blog |publisher=Smithsonian Institution |access-date=11 November 2021 |date=9 November 2021}}</ref> at [[Spring Lake, North Carolina]], home of her loving and beloved [[United States Army Special Forces]]; the Fifth Special Forces Group (Airborne) made her an honorary Green Beret for her USO work in Vietnam.<ref name="SI"/>
Appreciation of her work with the [[United Service Organizations|USO]] during World War II and subsequent wars led to her being named both an honorary colonel in the U.S. Marines and an honorary lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army, and earned special consideration to be buried in [[Arlington National Cemetery]]. Upon her death it was instead requested that she be buried with full military honors in the [[Fort Liberty]] (then Fort Bragg) Main Post cemetery<ref name="SI">{{cite web |last1=Blazich |first1=Frank |title="Maggie of the Boondocks": Martha Raye and a lifetime of service to the U.S. Armed Forces |url=https://americanhistory.si.edu/blog/martha-raye |website=National Museum of American History: O Say Can You See? blog |publisher=Smithsonian Institution |access-date=11 November 2021 |date=9 November 2021}}</ref> at Spring Lake, North Carolina, home of her loving and beloved [[United States Army Special Forces]]; the Fifth Special Forces Group (Airborne) made her an honorary Green Beret for her USO work in Vietnam.<ref name="SI"/>


Raye has two stars on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]]—one for motion pictures at 6251 [[Hollywood Boulevard]] and the other for television at 6547 Hollywood Blvd.
Raye has two stars on the [[Hollywood Walk of Fame]]—one for motion pictures at 6251 Hollywood Boulevard and the other for television at 6547 Hollywood Blvd.


==Archive==
The moving image collection of Martha Raye is held at the Academy Film Archive. The collection consists of an audio tape and home movies.<ref>{{cite web|title=Martha Raye Collection|url=http://www.oscars.org/film-archive/collections/martha-raye-collection|website=Academy Film Archive|date=2015-08-20}}</ref>
The moving image collection of Martha Raye is held at the Academy Film Archive. The collection consists of an audio tape and home movies.<ref>{{cite web|title=Martha Raye Collection|url=http://www.oscars.org/film-archive/collections/martha-raye-collection|website=Academy Film Archive|date=2015-08-20}}</ref>


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===Television===
===Television===
* ''[[Four Star Revue]]'' (host from 1951–1953) – Herself
* ''[[Four Star Revue]]'' (host from 1951 to 1953) – Herself
* ''The Martha Raye Show'' (1954–1956) – Herself
* ''The Martha Raye Show'' (1954–1956) – Herself
* ''[[What's My Line?]]'' (mystery guest December 11, 1955)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G419SH4l104 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/G419SH4l104 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=What's My Line? – Martha Raye (Dec 11, 1955)|publisher=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> – Herself
* ''[[What's My Line?]]'' (mystery guest December 11, 1955)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G419SH4l104 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/G419SH4l104 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=What's My Line? – Martha Raye (Dec 11, 1955)|date=23 September 2015 |publisher=[[YouTube]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref> – Herself
* ''[[Club Oasis]]'' (1958) – Herself
* ''[[Club Oasis]]'' (1958) – Herself
* ''[[The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Show]]'' (episode "Circus", December 8, 1962) – Herself
* ''[[The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Show]]'' (episode "Circus", December 8, 1962) – Herself
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* ''[[Password (American game show)|Password]]'' (March 25, 1965) - Herself
* ''[[Password (American game show)|Password]]'' (March 25, 1965) - Herself
* ''[[The Hollywood Palace]]'' (April 2, 1966) – Herself
* ''[[The Hollywood Palace]]'' (April 2, 1966) – Herself
* ''[[The Carol Burnett Show]]'' (1967, 1969) – Herself
* ''[[The Carol Burnett Show]]'' (1967, 1969,1970) – Herself
* ''[[The Bugaloos]]'' (1970–1972) – Benita Bizarre
* ''[[The Bugaloos]]'' (1970–1972) – Benita Bizarre
* ''[[McMillan & Wife]]'' (1976–1977) – Agatha
* ''[[McMillan & Wife|McMillan]]'' (1976–1977) – Agatha
* ''[['Twas the Night Before Christmas (1977 TV special)|'Twas the Night Before Christmas]]'' (1977, TV special) – Nellie's mother
* ''[['Twas the Night Before Christmas (1977 TV special)|'Twas the Night Before Christmas]]'' (1977, TV special) – Nellie's mother
* ''Skinflint: A Country Christmas Carol'' (1979, TV movie) – Ghost of Christmas Past
* ''Skinflint: A Country Christmas Carol'' (1979, TV movie) – Ghost of Christmas Past
Line 129: Line 135:
* ''[[Pippin (musical)#Film|Pippin: His Life and Times]]'' (1981, TV movie) – Berthe
* ''[[Pippin (musical)#Film|Pippin: His Life and Times]]'' (1981, TV movie) – Berthe
* ''[[Murder, She Wrote]]'' (1985) – Sadie Winthrope
* ''[[Murder, She Wrote]]'' (1985) – Sadie Winthrope
* ''[[Alice in Wonderland (1985 film)|Alice in Wonderland]]'' (1985, TV movie) – The Duchess (final film role)
* ''[[Alice in Wonderland (1985 film)|Alice in Wonderland]]'' (1985, TV movie) – The Duchess


===Stage work===
===Stage work===
* ''Calling All Stars'' (1934)
* ''[[Calling All Stars (1934 musical)|Calling All Stars]]'' (1934)
* ''[[Hold On to Your Hats]]'' (1940)
* ''[[Hold On to Your Hats]]'' (1940)
* ''[[Annie Get Your Gun (musical)|Annie Get Your Gun]]'' (1951)
* ''[[Annie Get Your Gun (musical)|Annie Get Your Gun]]'' (1951)
Line 143: Line 149:
* ''Hello, Sucker!'' (1969) (closed on the road)
* ''Hello, Sucker!'' (1969) (closed on the road)
* ''Everybody Loves Opal'' (1970; 1988)
* ''Everybody Loves Opal'' (1970; 1988)
* ''[[No, No, Nanette]]'' (1972) (replacement for [[Patsy Kelly]])
* ''[[No, No, Nanette]]'' (1972, replacement for [[Patsy Kelly]])
* ''Pippin (1981)''
* ''Pippin (1981)''
* ''4 Girls 4'' (1982)
* ''4 Girls 4'' (1982)
* ''[[Annie (musical)|Annie]]'' (1983)
* ''[[Annie (musical)|Annie]]'' (1983)
* ''[[The Prince of Central Park]]'' (1989) (replaced by [[Jo Anne Worley]] prior to opening)
* ''[[The Prince of Central Park]]'' (1989, replaced by [[Jo Anne Worley]] before opening)


==References==
==References==
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* {{tcmdb name|id=158567}}
* {{tcmdb name|id=158567}}
* {{IBDB name}}
* {{IBDB name}}
* {{findagrave|2334}}
* {{find a Grave|2334}}
* [http://www.classictvinfo.com/StarRevue/ ''All Star Revue'' episode guide] at Classic TV Info.
* [http://www.classictvinfo.com/StarRevue/ ''All Star Revue'' episode guide] at Classic TV Info.
* [http://www.classictvinfo.com/MarthaRayeShow/ ''The Martha Raye Show'' episode guide] at Classic TV Info.
* [http://www.classictvinfo.com/MarthaRayeShow/ ''The Martha Raye Show'' episode guide] at Classic TV Info.
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[[Category:Military personnel from Montana]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Montana]]
[[Category:Traditional pop music singers]]
[[Category:Traditional pop music singers]]
[[Category:Vaudeville performers]]
[[Category:American vaudeville performers]]
[[Category:Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients]]
[[Category:Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients]]
[[Category:Paramount Pictures contract players]]
[[Category:Paramount Pictures contract players]]
[[Category:California Republicans]]
[[Category:California Republicans]]
[[Category:Montana Republicans]]
[[Category:Montana Republicans]]
[[Category:Conservatism in the United States]]
[[Category:People with Alzheimer's disease]]
[[Category:People with Alzheimer's disease]]
[[Category:Deaths from pneumonia in California]]
[[Category:Deaths from pneumonia in California]]
[[Category:United Service Organizations entertainers]]
[[Category:Comedians from Montana]]

Latest revision as of 10:15, 20 July 2024

For the British singer, see Martha Ray.
Martha Raye
Born
Margy Reed

(1916-08-27)August 27, 1916
Butte, Montana, U.S.
DiedOctober 19, 1994(1994-10-19) (aged 78)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting placeMain Post Cemetery in Fort Liberty, North Carolina
Occupation(s)Actress, singer, comedian
Years active1934–1989
Spouses
​
​
(m. 1937; div. 1937)​
​
​
(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)​
Children1

Martha Raye (born Margy Reed; August 27, 1916 – October 19, 1994), nicknamed The Big Mouth, was an American comic actress and singer who performed in movies, and later on television. She also acted in plays, including on Broadway.[1] She was honored in 1969 at the Academy Awards as the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award recipient for her volunteer efforts and services to the troops.

Early years

[edit]

Raye was born at St. James Hospital in Butte, Montana, as Margy Reed,[2][3] the daughter of Irish immigrant Peter F. Reed Jr., and Maybelle Hazel (Hooper) Reed, who had been raised in Milwaukee and Montana.[4] Her parents were performing in a local vaudeville theatre as Reed and Hooper when their daughter was born.[5]

Career

[edit]

As a teenager in the early 1930s, Raye began her career as a vocalist with the Paul Ash and Boris Morros orchestras. She made her first film appearance in a band short titled A Nite in the Nite Club (1934). In 1936, she was signed for comic roles by Paramount Pictures; her first feature film was Rhythm on the Range with Bing Crosby. She made her Broadway debut in the Harry Akst musical Calling All Stars in 1934, and later returned to Broadway in starring roles in Yip Harburg's Hold On to Your Hats (1941), Jerry Herman's Hello, Dolly! (1967), and Vincent Youmans's No, No, Nanette (1972).

From 1936 to 1939, she was a featured cast member in 39 episodes of Al Jolson's weekly CBS radio show, The Lifebuoy Program, also called Cafe Trocadero. In addition to comedy, Raye sang both solos and duets with Jolson. Over the next quarter century, she would appear in films with many of the leading comics of her day, including Joe E. Brown, Bob Hope, W.C. Fields, Abbott and Costello, Charlie Chaplin and Jimmy Durante. She joined the USO in 1942, soon after the US entered World War II.[6][7]

She was known for the size of her mouth, which was large in proportion to her face, earning her the nickname "The Big Mouth". She later referred to this in a series of television commercials for Polident denture cleaner in the 1980s: "So take it from The Big Mouth: new Polident Green gets tough stains clean!" Her large mouth would relegate her motion picture work to supporting comic parts, and was often made up so it appeared even larger. In the Disney cartoon Mother Goose Goes Hollywood, she is caricatured while dancing with Joe E. Brown, another actor known for a big mouth. In the Warner Bros. cartoon The Woods Are Full of Cuckoos (1937), she was caricatured as a jazzy scat-singing donkey named 'Moutha Bray'.[8]

In 1969, she was awarded the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award in the form of an Oscar at the 41st Academy Awards. She was the first woman to receive this award.[9] After her death, the statuette was displayed for many years in a specially constructed lighted niche at the Friars Club in Beverly Hills. On November 2, 1993, she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bill Clinton for her service to her country.[6][7] The citation reads:

A talented performer whose career spans the better part of a century, Martha Raye has delighted audiences and uplifted spirits around the globe. She brought her tremendous comedic and musical skills to her work in film, stage, and television, helping to shape American entertainment. The great courage, kindness, and patriotism she showed in her many tours during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War earned her the nickname Colonel Maggie. The American people honor Martha Raye, a woman who has tirelessly used her gifts to benefit the lives of her fellow Americans.[10]

Television career

[edit]

She was a television star very early in its history. She starred in the short-lived (28 episodes) The Martha Raye Show (1954–1956), opposite retired middleweight boxer Rocky Graziano, who played her boyfriend. The writer and producer was future The Phil Silvers Show creator Nat Hiken.

Some of the guest stars on the show were Zsa Zsa Gabor, Cesar Romero, and Broadway dancer Wayne Lamb. She also appeared on other TV shows in the 1950s, such as What's My Line?

Following the demise of her TV variety show, the breakup of her fifth marriage, and a series of other personal and health problems, she attempted suicide by overdosing on sleeping pills on August 14, 1956. Well-wishers gave her a St. Christopher's medal, a St. Genesius medal, and a Star of David. After her recovery, she wore these amulets faithfully, but she was neither Catholic nor Jewish. At the conclusion of each episode of her TV shows, she would thank the nuns at the Sisters of St. Francis Hospital in Miami, Florida, where she had recovered. She always said "Goodnight, Sisters" as a sign of appreciation and gratitude.

Later in her career, she made television commercials for Polident denture cleanser, principally during the 1970s and 1980s.

Later career

[edit]

In 1970, she portrayed Boss Witch, the "Queen of all Witchdom", in the feature film Pufnstuf for Sid and Marty Krofft. This role led to her being cast as villainess Benita Bizarre in The Bugaloos (1970), which the Kroffts produced the same year.

She often appeared as a guest on other programs, particularly those which often featured older performers as guest stars, such as The Love Boat, and on variety programs, including the short-lived The Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Show. She appeared from the third to the ninth seasons as Carrie Sharples, Mel's mother on Alice, making two or three appearances per season. She made guest appearances or did cameos in series such as Murder, She Wrote, The Andy Williams Show, and McMillan & Wife. She appeared again as Agatha for the six-episode run of the retooled McMillan, taking over for Nancy Walker, who had left the series. Her last film appearance was as an airline passenger in the disaster film The Concorde ... Airport '79 (1979).

Personal life

[edit]

Raye's personal life was complex and emotionally tumultuous.[11] She was married seven times.

Raye was a devout Methodist. She regularly attended church, read the Bible daily, and taught Sunday school.[12] Because her religious views often were misconstrued, she said "One paper says I'm Catholic, and the other says I'm Jewish. I guess that's fitting because, as a Methodist, I'm meant to be undetermined some of the time".[13]

Her engagement to orchestra leader Johnny Torrence was announced in June 1936.[14] Less than two months later she commented, "They tell me I've gone Hollywood already because I got engaged to Johnny Torrence one day and broke it off the next."[15]

She was married to make-up artist Hamilton "Buddy" Westmore from May 30, 1937, until September 1937, filing for divorce on the basis of extreme cruelty; to composer-conductor David Rose from October 8, 1938, to May 19, 1941; to Neal Lang from May 25, 1941, to February 3, 1944; to Nick Condos from February 22, 1944, to June 17, 1953; to Edward T. Begley from April 21, 1954, to October 6, 1956; to Robert O'Shea from November 7, 1956, to December 1, 1960; and to Mark Harris from September 25, 1991, until her death in 1994.[16] She had one child, a daughter born in July 1944, with Nick Condos. Melodye Condos was named after Raye's recently deceased younger sister.[17]

Politically, Raye was conservative, affirming in a 1984 interview: "I believe in the constitution, strength in national defense, limited government, individual freedom, and personal responsibility. They reinforce the resolve that the United States is the greatest country in the world, and we can all be eternally grateful to our founding fathers for the beautiful legacy they left us."[18][19]

Death

[edit]

Raye died at age 78 of pneumonia on October 19, 1994.[20]

Legacy

[edit]

Appreciation of her work with the USO during World War II and subsequent wars led to her being named both an honorary colonel in the U.S. Marines and an honorary lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army, and earned special consideration to be buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Upon her death it was instead requested that she be buried with full military honors in the Fort Liberty (then Fort Bragg) Main Post cemetery[7] at Spring Lake, North Carolina, home of her loving and beloved United States Army Special Forces; the Fifth Special Forces Group (Airborne) made her an honorary Green Beret for her USO work in Vietnam.[7]

Raye has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame—one for motion pictures at 6251 Hollywood Boulevard and the other for television at 6547 Hollywood Blvd.

The moving image collection of Martha Raye is held at the Academy Film Archive. The collection consists of an audio tape and home movies.[21]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]

Television

[edit]

Stage work

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Van Gelder, Lawrence (20 October 1994). "Martha Raye, 78, Singer And Comic Actress, Dies". New York Times. Retrieved 15 December 2014.
  2. ^ Birth Certificate Archived 2022-02-03 at the Wayback Machine, ColonelMaggie.com; accessed September 16, 2014.
  3. ^ Tribune staff. "125 Montana Newsmakers: Martha Raye". Great Falls Tribune. Retrieved August 28, 2011.
  4. ^ "The Milwaukee Sentinel". News.google.com – via Google News Archive Search.[permanent dead link]
  5. ^ Lawrence Van Gelder (October 20, 1994). "Martha Raye, 78, Singer and Comic Actress, Dies". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-01-17.
  6. ^ a b Quigley, Samantha (April 26, 2013). "Martha Raye: Healing Through Humor". USO.org. United Service Organizations. Retrieved October 26, 2016.
  7. ^ a b c d Blazich, Frank (9 November 2021). ""Maggie of the Boondocks": Martha Raye and a lifetime of service to the U.S. Armed Forces". National Museum of American History: O Say Can You See? blog. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  8. ^ Pittrone, Jane Maddern (1999). Take It from the Big Mouth: The Life of Martha Raye. University of Kentucky Press. p. 216.
  9. ^ "Martha Raye receives the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award: 1969 Oscars". Oscars.org.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ "Col Martha Maggie Raye". War-veterans.org.
  11. ^ Raye, Martha (April 25, 1954). "Me and My Big Mouth". The American Weekly. p. 7. Retrieved February 8, 2011.[permanent dead link]
  12. ^ Pitrone, Maddern Jean (1999). Take It from the Big Mouth: The Life of Martha Raye Hardcover, The University of Kentucky Press, pp. 220–221 ISBN 0-8131-2110-8
  13. ^ "Martha Raye Quote". A–Z Quotes.
  14. ^ "Martha Raye, Film Actress, Engaged to Band Leader". Chicago Tribune. No. Final. June 25, 1936. p. 17.
  15. ^ "Funny Face Wins Star Niche For Martha Raye". Salt Lake Telegram. No. Home Edition. August 15, 1936. p. 8.
  16. ^ Rusoff, Jane Wollman (28 December 1991). "MARTHA RAYE'S WARM DECEMBER". Washington Post. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  17. ^ Pitrone, op. cit., pp. 65, 57.
  18. ^ Interview, The Hollywood Reporter, 1984.
  19. ^ "Martha Raye Quote". A–Z Quotes.
  20. ^ Pitrone, op. cit., p. 219
  21. ^ "Martha Raye Collection". Academy Film Archive. 2015-08-20.
  22. ^ "What's My Line? – Martha Raye (Dec 11, 1955)". YouTube. 23 September 2015. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Martha Raye.
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