**Martha Raye** (stage name of Margaret Teresa Yvonne Reed) was an American actress, comedian, and singer, known for her energetic, theatrical style and her “big mouth,” which made her a unique comic figure.

Her film career took off in the mid-1930s. She distinguished herself in musical comedies and farces, often playing exuberant comic supporting roles, but sometimes also as the lead. Her best-known films include The Big Broadcast of 1938 (in which she starred alongside Bob Hope), Artists and Models, and the surreal comedy Hellzapoppin' (1941), which are good examples of her chaotic brand of comedy.

Raye was a master of slapstick humor and fast-paced comic timing, becoming a recognizable face thanks to her unconventional charm and infectious energy on the big screen.