Martha RayeMartha Raye (1916-October 19, 1994) was an American comic actress and singer in motion pictures and later, on television. Miss Raye was best known for the size of her mouth, which appeared enormous in proportion to the rest of her face. It relegated her motion picture work to largely supporting comic parts. She became known as "The Big Mouth"; apparently she was often made up in a way which tended to cause it to appear as even larger than it actually already was. For example, she appears in the picture The Big Broadcast of 1938 where Bob Hope first sings what became his theme song, Thanks for the Memories; however, it is not sung to Miss Raye, but rather the female leading actress that she supports. She joined the USO soon after the US entered World War II. During WW2, Korea and Vietnam, Martha travelled extensively to entertain the American troops. In 1968, she was given the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, in the form of an Oscar. In November of 1993, President Clinton awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Miss Raye was an early television star when that medium was very young; for a while she had her own program, The Martha Raye Show, in which she was the lead and her awkward boyfriend was portrayed by retired middleweight boxer Rocky Graziano. In the late 1950s she made a well-publicized suicide attempt which may have been partially related to the breakup of her marriage to conductor-composer David Rose. In 1970 she portrayed Boss Witch, the "Queen of all Witch-dom" in the film Pufnstuf. She often appeared as a guest on other programs, particularly ones which often had older performers as guest stars, such as The Love Boat, and on variety programs. She also appeared in a number of commercials for a denture adhesive product which emphasized its importance to her appearance due to the size of her mouth. In addition to the aforementioned television work, she appeared for two years as Mel Sharples' mother, Carrie, on the sitcom Alice. Martha Raye was deeply patriotic and, thanks to her work with the USO during World War II and subsequent wars, special consideration was given to bury her in Arlington National Cemetery upon her death. She was buried with full military honors on Saturday, in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. This page about Martha Raye includes information from a Wikipedia article. Additional articles about Martha Raye News stories about Martha Raye External links for Martha Raye Videos for Martha Raye Wikis about Martha Raye Discussion Groups about Martha Raye Blogs about Martha Raye Images of Martha Raye |
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Bragg, North Carolina. She also appeared in a number of commercials for a denture adhesive product which emphasized its importance to her appearance due to the size of her mouth. For years, Russell was the foremost singer of operettas in the U.S. She often appeared as a guest on other programs, particularly ones which often had older performers as guest stars, such as The Love Boat, and on variety programs. For forty years, she was the companion of businessman "Diamond Jim" Brady who showered her with extravagant gifts of diamonds and gemstones. In 1970 she portrayed Boss Witch, the "Queen of all Witch-dom" in the film Pufnstuf. Since her first appearance at Tony Pastor's she was also the subject of a great deal fanfare in the newsmedia. In the late 1950s she made a well-publicized suicide attempt which may have been partially related to the breakup of her marriage to conductor-composer David Rose. Not only was her voice celebrated but her beauty caused quite a stir among the men and the women of the audience. Miss Raye was an early television star when that medium was very young; for a while she had her own program, The Martha Raye Show, in which she was the lead and her awkward boyfriend was portrayed by retired middleweight boxer Rocky Graziano. Russell's appearance caused such a stir that she stayed on with Pastor and starred in some of his comic operas. In November of 1993, President Clinton awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Tony Pastor, known as the father of vaudeville, was responsible for some of the biggest stars in show business. In 1968, she was given the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, in the form of an Oscar. In 1879, under the new guise of "Lillian Russell", Helen made her first appearance on the august stage at Tony Pastor's Theater. During WW2, Korea and Vietnam, Martha travelled extensively to entertain the American troops. This would serve as an inauspicious beginning to a dazzling career. She joined the USO soon after the US entered World War II. At the age of 18, she and her mother left for New York where Helen was offered a role in the chorus of Gilbert and Sullivan's operetta H.M.S. Pinafore. For example, she appears in the picture The Big Broadcast of 1938 where Bob Hope first sings what became his theme song, Thanks for the Memories; however, it is not sung to Miss Raye, but rather the female leading actress that she supports. Little is known of her early life except that she had some musical training in Chicago. She became known as "The Big Mouth"; apparently she was often made up in a way which tended to cause it to appear as even larger than it actually already was. Born in Clinton, Iowa in 1861, Helen Louise Leonard would become one of the most famous and beautiful actresses of the late 19th century and early 20th century. It relegated her motion picture work to largely supporting comic parts. Lillian Russell (Helen Louise Leonard) (December 4, 1861 - June 6, 1922) was an American actress and singer. Miss Raye was best known for the size of her mouth, which appeared enormous in proportion to the rest of her face. Martha Raye (1916-October 19, 1994) was an American comic actress and singer in motion pictures and later, on television. |