Martha Raye

Birth Name: Margy Reed

Date of Birth: August 27, 1916

Place of Birth: Butte, Silver Bow, Montana, United States

Date of Death: October 19, 1994

Place of Death: Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Ethnicity: English, Irish, German

Martha Raye was an American comic actress and singer. She performed in films, television, and on Broadway. She was involved in volunteer efforts and services to the troops. She was nicknamed “The Big Mouth.”

Her parents were entertainers, who performed in local vaudeville in Montana when she was born. Her father, Peter F. Reed, Jr., was born in Manchester, England, and had Irish ancestry. Her mother, Maybelle Hazel “Peggy” (Hooper), was born in either Montana or Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and had English and German ancestry.

She was a devout Methodist. Martha was married to Mark Harris, until her death. She had a daughter with her former husband Nick Condos.

Martha’s paternal grandfather was named Peter Reed, Sr.

Martha’s paternal grandmother was named Catherine Finnigan.

Martha’s maternal grandfather was Samuel Hooper (the son of Samuel/Sam/John H. Hooper and Maria Dodge). Martha’s grandfather Samuel was born in Michigan, to a father from England, and a mother from Michigan.

Martha’s maternal grandmother was Theresa Sanschagrin/Sanchatrin/Sanschagrin/Sanusehagrin (the daughter of Anton/Anthonie Sanschagrin and Anna Marie Schmitt). Theresa was born in Michigan, to a German father and a French-born mother of German descent.

Sources: Marriage record of Martha’s parents – https://familysearch.org

Martha’s mother on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://familysearch.org