Martha Raye
Biography
Martha Raye, born Margy Reed and nicknamed The Big Mouth, was an American comic actress and singer. She was born on August 27, 1916, in Butte, Montana, USA, and died on October 19, 1994, at the age of 78. Raye performed in movies, on television, and in plays, including on Broadway. In the early 1930s, she worked as a band vocalist with the Paul Ash and Boris Morros orchestras, making her first film appearance in 1934 in a band short titled A Nite in the Nite Club. Paramount Pictures signed her for comic roles in 1936, leading to her first feature film, Rhythm on the Range, alongside Bing Crosby. She was honored at the 1969 Academy Awards with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for her volunteer efforts and services to the troops.
Career overview
Martha Raye, born Margy Reed and nicknamed The Big Mouth, was an American comic actress and singer. She performed in movies, later appeared on television, and also acted in plays including on Broadway. In the early 1930s, Raye worked as 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 that studio. Her first feature film was Rhythm on the Range with crooner Bing Crosby. Over the course of her career, she appeared in films such as Monsieur Verdoux, and worked in television on programs including The Red Skelton Show and Producers' Showcase.
Raye was honored at the Academy Awards in 1969 as the recipient of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for her volunteer efforts and services to the troops. She was born on August 27, 1916, in Butte, Montana, and died on October 19, 1994, at the age of 78 in Los Angeles, California.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
73 titles- Star Struck (2026) as Susan Mendella
- Amara:The Statue (2026) as Martha
- Airports (2025)
- Sid & Judy (2019) as Self (archive footage)
- Bing Crosby: Rediscovered (2014) as Self (archive footage)
- The Adventures of Errol Flynn (2005) as Self (archive footage)
- Chaplin Today: Monsieur Verdoux (2003) as Self (archive footage)
- The 13th Year (1999) as ( Self )
- Alice in Wonderland (1985) as Duchess
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Sadie Winthrope
- Showbiz Goes to War (1982) as (archive footage)
- Pippin (1981) as Bertha
- The Gossip Columnist (1980) as Georgia O'Hanlon
- The Concorde... Airport '79 (1979) as Loretta
- Skinflint: A Country Christmas Carol (1979) as The Ghost of Christmas Past
- The Love Boat (1977) as Irene Austin
- The Love Boat (1977) as Zelda
- 'Twas the Night Before Christmas (1977)
- Alice (1976)
- Alice (1976) as Carrie Sharples
- Bob Hope's World of Comedy (1976) as Self (archive footage)
- McMillan & Wife (1971) as Agetha
- McMillan & Wife (1971) as Agatha
- The Bugaloos (1970) as Benita Bizarre
- The Phynx (1970) as Foxy
- Pufnstuf (1970) as Boss Witch
- No Substitute for Victory (1970) as Self
- The Barbara McNair Show (1969) as Self
- The Dick Cavett Show (1968) as Self - Guest
- The Carol Burnett Show (1967) as Self - Guest
- Clown Alley (1966) as Washerwoman Clown
- The Hollywood Palace (1964) as Self
- Burke's Law (1963) as Beulah Brothers
- The Judy Garland Show (1963) as Self
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- Billy Rose's Jumbo (1962) as Lulu
- The Mike Douglas Show (1961) as Self
- The Big Party (1959) as Self
- The All-Star Christmas Show (1958) as Self
- The Steve Allen Show (1956) as Self
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- This Is Your Life (1952) as Self
- The Red Skelton Show (1951)
- What's My Line? (1950) as Self
- The Colgate Comedy Hour (1950) as Self
- The Bob Hope Show (1950) as Self
- Monsieur Verdoux (1947) as Annabella Bonheur
- Pin Up Girl (1944) as Molly McKay
- Four Jills in a Jeep (1944) as Martha Raye
- Show-Business at War (1943) as Self
- Hellzapoppin' (1941) as Betty Johnson
- Keep 'Em Flying (1941) as Gloria Phelps / Barbara Phelps
- Navy Blues (1941) as Lilibelle Bolton
- The Boys from Syracuse (1940) as Luce
- The Farmer's Daughter (1940) as Patience Bingham
- Never Say Die (1939) as Mickey Hawkins
- $1,000 a Touchdown (1939) as Martha Madison
- Give Me a Sailor (1938) as Letty Larkin
- Tropic Holiday (1938) as Midge Miller
- College Swing (1938) as Mabel Grady
- The Big Broadcast of 1938 (1938) as Martha Bellows
- Waikiki Wedding (1937) as Myrtle Finch
- Double or Nothing (1937) as Liza Lou Lane
- Artists & Models (1937) as Specialty
- Mountain Music (1937) as Mary Beamish
- College Holiday (1936) as Daisy Schloggenheimer
- Hideaway Girl (1936) as Helen Flint
- Rhythm on the Range (1936) as Emma
- The Big Broadcast of 1937 (1936) as Patsy
- A Christmas Child as Regina Wlison-Washington/Ghost Of Christmas Past
- Holly Noel: The Winter Ball (Christmas 3) as ( Self )
- The Clockmaker’s Secret: Lost in Spindlewood as Sabrina Williow
- Ruby Gale & The Diamond Thief as Martha Carpenter
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Martha Raye best known for?
Martha Raye is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Star Struck (2026), Alice in Wonderland (1985), Murder, She Wrote (1984), The Concorde... Airport '79 (1979).
When and where was Martha Raye born?
Martha Raye was born on August 27, 1916 in Butte, Montana, USA. They passed away on October 19, 1994.
How many credits does Martha Raye have?
Martha Raye has accumulated over 73 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1936 to 2026.
What is Martha Raye's background in cinema and television?
Martha Raye, born Margy Reed and nicknamed The Big Mouth, was an American comic actress and singer. She was born on August 27, 1916, in Butte, Montana, USA, and died on October 19, 1994, at the age of 78. Raye performed in movies, on television, and in plays, including on Broadway. In the early 1930s, she worked as a b...