Scott, Martha (1914–2003)
Scott, Martha (1914–2003)
American actress. Born Martha Ellen Scott, Sept 22, 1914, in Jamesport, Missouri; died May 28, 2003, in Van Nuys, CA; dau. of Walter Scott and Letha (McKinley) Scott; University of Michigan, BA, 1934; m. Carleton Alsop (radio and film producer), Sept 16, 1940 (div. 1946); m. Mel Powell (composer, pianist), 1946 (died 1998); children: (1st m.) Scott Alsop; (2nd m.) Mary Powell Harpel and Kathleen Powell.
Made Broadway debut originating the role of Emily Webb in Our Town (1938), one of America's oft-produced classics; reprised role in film version, earning an Oscar nomination for Best Actress (1940); other films include The Howards of Virginia (1940), Cheers for Miss Bishop (1941), So Well Remembered (1947), The Desperate Hours (1955), The Ten Commandments (1956), Sayonara (1957), Ben-Hur (1959), Charlotte's Web (1973), Airport 1975 (1974), The Turning Point (1977) and Doin' Time on Planet Earth (1988); with others, organized the Plumstead Playhouse (1969), and served as director; appeared on a number of radio serials (1930s); was narrator and host on daytime series "Modern Romances" (1954–57) and was seen on "Omnibus," "Robert Montgomery Presents," "The F. B. I." and "Ironside"; also had recurring role as Bob Newhart's mother on "The Bob Newhart Show."
See also Women in World History.