Martha Raye
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.
For the British singer, see Martha Ray.
Martha Raye
October 19, 1994 (aged 78)
Main Post Cemetery in Fort Liberty, North Carolina
Actress, singer, comedian
1934–1989
1
Early years[edit]
Raye's life as a singer and comedic performer began in early childhood. She was born at St. James Hospital in Butte, Montana as Margy Reed;[2][3] despite her birth certificate showing Reed, some sources in the 1970s and 1980s gave her the surname O'Reed.[4][5]
Her father, Peter F. Reed Jr., was an Irish immigrant who settled in Montana; her mother, Maybelle Hazel (Hooper) Reed, was raised in Milwaukee and Montana.[6] Her parents were performing in a local vaudeville theatre as Reed and Hooper when their daughter was born.[7]