Photo: Studio Publicity / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Martha Raye is far more than the comic billed as "The Big Mouth." Born to vaudevillians in Butte, Montana, she was on stage at age three and kept audiences laughing across six decades of film, theater, and television. But what truly earns my admiration is her wartime dedication, recognized with the 1993 Presidential Medal of Freedom and the 1969 Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award. She did not just entertain; she risked herself to lift the spirits of troops in the field. To me she represents the highest use of comedy, turning laughter into genuine service, and that combination of grit and generosity makes her unforgettable.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Martha Raye
- Name (Japanese)
- マーサ・レイ
- Reading
- まーさ・れい
- Born
- August 27, 1916 – October 19, 1994
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Virgo / Dragon
- Origin
- Butte, Montana, United States
- Occupation
- actor / singer / stage actor / television actor / film actor
2. Background
Awards & achievements
- 1993 Presidential Medal of Freedom
- 1969 Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award
- Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award
- star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
4. Personality
Motto
Private
6. Links
Frequently asked questions
When was Martha Raye born?
August 27, 1916 – October 19, 1994.
Where is Martha Raye from?
Martha Raye is from Butte, Montana, United States.
What does Martha Raye do?
Martha Raye works as actor, singer, stage actor, television actor, film actor.
Actor — see all → · Singer — see all → · More people from United States →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-02
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.