Martin, Mary

Martin, Mary, 1913–90, American musical comedy star, b. Weatherford, Tex. From Martin's first stage appearance in Leave It to Me (1938), she starred in several enormously successful musicals, including One Touch of Venus (1943), South Pacific (1949); Peter Pan (1954), and The Sound of Music (1959). Her buoyant singing voice and high-spirited temperament won her widespread popularity. Her films included The Great Victor Herbert (1939) and, for television, Peter Pan and Annie Get Your Gun.

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Martin, Mary (Virginia)

(born Dec. 1, 1913, Weatherford, Texas, U.S.—died Nov. 3, 1990, Rancho Mirage, Calif.) U.S. singer and actress. She co-owned a dancing school in her native Weatherford, Texas, before moving in 1938 to New York City, where she won a small part in the musical Leave It to Me and became famous for her rendition of “My Heart Belongs to Daddy.” She appeared in movies before returning to Broadway to star in One Touch of Venus (1943). Martin originated the role of Nellie Forbush in South Pacific (1949–53) and later starred in Peter Pan (1954, Tony Award; television version, 1955), The Sound of Music (1959, Tony Award), and I Do, I Do (1966).

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Martin, Mary (Virginia) (1913–90) stage and film actress; born in Weatherford, Texas. Beginning with her 1938 debut in Leave It to Me, where she sang the showstopping "My Heart Belongs to Daddy," she was known for her down-to-earth portrayals. She starred in several huge hits, most notably as Nellie Forbush in South Pacific (1949), ("I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair" and other songs), Peter Pan (1954), and The Sound of Music (1959).