Martha Raye

Martha Raye (born Margy Reed; August 27, 1916 – October 19, 1994) was an American comic actress and singer whose career spanned six decades across film, theater, and television. Her wide smile and energetic comedic style earned her the nickname "The Big Mouth." Born to vaudevillian parents in Butte, Montana, Raye began performing in her family's stage act at age three. She began performing on Broadway at age eighteen, before making her feature film debut in Rhythm on the Range (1936). As a contract player for Paramount Pictures, she starred in numerous films for the studio over the following decade, including Waikiki Wedding, Mountain Music, Double or Nothing (all 1937), Never Say Die (1939), and The Farmer's Daughter (1940).