Martha Raye

American comic film and TV actress and singer. Born 27 August 1916 in Butte, Montana, USA. Died 19 October 1994 in Los Angeles, California, USA. She made her acting debut before the age of 10 as she toured the nation with her parents vaudeville variety show "Reed and Hopper". In her late teens she was hired by band-leader Paul Ash as his lead vocalist and was spotted by a Hollywood talent scout during a New York City concert in 1934. During World War II, she traveled with the USO on many tour stops and soon became even more famous for her dedication to America, its values, and its soldiers which helped earn her the beloved nickname "Colonel Maggie" and humorous nickname "The Big Mouth". Raye was married seven times, including to songwriter David Rose and Nick Condos, one of the Condos Brothers, tap-dancing team. She was honored in 1969 at the Academy Awards as the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award recipient for her volunteer efforts and services to the troops.