Known as "The Big Mouth" and considered the female equivalent to Bob Hope, Martha Raye was an American icon in her own right. She was born Margy Reed in Butte, Montana, to Maybelle Hazel . With the outbreak of World War II she took a break from film making to focus on entertaining servicemen and women traveling with the USO on many tour stops. She soon became even more famous for her dedication to America, its values, and its soldiers which helped earn her the beloved nickname "Colonel Maggie". She continued acting into the late 1980s dividing her time between movies, TV guest spots, and occasional stage appearances. She passed away on October 19, 1994 after a long battle from pneumonia and was buried with full military honors at the Fort Bragg Main Post Cemetery, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Martha "Colonel Maggie" Raye was 78 years old.
Received the Womens International Center (WIC) Living Legacy Award in 1988.
Died of pneumonia at Cedars Sinai Medical Center at 1:45pm; by 2pm Harris had her body en route to a mortuary. She also suffered from Alzheimers, cataracts and liver disease, and had lost both legs the year before her death due to circulatory problems.
Married last husband Mark Harris - an admitted bisexual - after knowing him for less than a month. He was 42; she was 75.
Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in November 1993 by President Bill Clinton.
Had so little formal schooling, her scripts had to be read to her.
The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award was given to Raye in 1969 for her work with charities and entertaining U.S. troops; her estate gave it to the Friars Club in 1997 where she was its first female honorary member.
Daughter by Condos, Melodye Raye Condos (Melodye Condos ), born 26th July 1944.
Buried in Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
Had a temporary falling out with daughter Melodye when Melodye had her father cremated against Marthas wishes.
Martha left the bulk of her estate to Mark Harris , but left some money to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. Harris spent a portion of his money designing a line of furs.
Martha Raye had a lifelong fear of flying, but because of her profession was required to make numerous air trips, which she could muster only after drinking herself into a near alcoholic stupor. Her drinking and conduct during these periods ended up with a number of airlines refusing her service, particularly on her many trips into the Miami, Florida, area, which was a favored vacation spot.
Was an honorary Green Beret. Visited U.S. Army Special Forces in Vietnam without fanfare. Registered nurse Lt. Colonel, helped out when things got bad in Special Forces A-Camps. Affectionately known by Green Berets as "Colonel Maggie."
One time band vocalist with the Paul Ash and Boris Morros orchestras in the early 30s.
Once attended the Professional Childrens School in New York.
Performed in a family act called "Reed and Hooper" (their parents names) with brother Bud. Martha (whose real name was Margaret) and Bud so consistently stole the show that the name of the act was eventually changed to "Bud and Margie."
Following the demise of her TV variety show, the breakup of her fifth marriage, and a series of other personal problems, she attempted suicide with sleeping pills on August 14, 1956. After her recovery she always wore a St. Christophers medal, a St. Genesius medal and a Star of David given to her by wellwishers. At the end of her TV programs she also would say "Good night, Sisters," a reference to The Sisters of St. Francis Hospital in Miami where she recovered.
Born backstage at a local vaudeville theatre in Butte, Montana, where her song-and-dance parents, Maybelle Hazel (Hooper) and Peter Reed, Jr., were performing. Two days after Martha was born, her mother was back doing the act. Marthas father, born in Manchester, England, had Irish ancestry. Marthas American-born mother had German and English roots.
Spokesperson for Polident denture cleanser in the 1970s and 1980s.
Biography in: "American National Biography". Supplement 1, pp. 505-506. New York: Oxford University Press, 2002.
Profiled in book "Funny Ladies" by Stephen Silverman.
Became an overnight star in 1936, after she was spotted by producer/director Norman Taurog performing comedy skits at the Trocadero nightclub, with Jimmy Durante and Joe E. Lewis as straight men. She was in front of the cameras the following day, doing a comic drunk routine in Bing Crosbys Rhythm on the Range.
Rayes career was highlighted in "The Slapstick Queens" by James Robert Parish, published by A. S. Barnes in 1973.
She was a lifelong Republican and a solid supporter of Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan in particular.
Before she died, Raye sued singer/actress Bette Midler and the producers of the movie For the Boys citing that the film was based on her own extensive experience as a much-loved entertainer of US troops during three wars. She lost in court when the judge, after hearing evidence on both sides, ruled that she didnt have a case.
Martha Raye,the only woman buried in the Special Forces cemetery at Fort Bragg, NC. Martha Raye joined the USO soon after the US entered WWII. During WWII ,the Korean War, and the Vietnam War,she traveled extensively to entertain our troops, despite her extreme fear of flying. In 1966 she went to Vietnam to entertain two platoons of airmen, both were called out on a mission. She held the show there till they returned. She often served as a nurse on these trips.
Her fifth husband, Edward T. Begley, should not be confused with Oscar-winning actor Ed Begley , the father of Ed Begley Jr..
I must have been hypnotized by the spotlight. I never realized I was,being culturally deprived, that I was having a lousy upbringing. We,were too busy making a living to worry about stuff like that.
I am a Republican because I believe in the constitution, strength in,national defense, limited government, individual freedom, and personal,responsibility as the concrete foundation for American government. 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 today. .
