Martha Scott

Martha Scott - Actresses, Life Achievements and Childhood

Violet FieldHome › AmericanMartha ScottSeptember 22, 1912578 views

0 based on 0 rates
Martha Scott Biography Stories 

Martha Scott's Personal Details

Martha Scott was an American actress remembered for her roles in movies like ‘The Ten Commandments’ and ‘Ben-Hur.’ This biography of Martha Scott provides detailed information about her childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

InformationDetail
BirthdaySeptember 22, 1912
Died onMay 28, 2003
NationalityAmerican
FamousUniversity Of Michigan, Film & Theater Personalities, Actresses
SpousesCarlton Alsop (1940–1946; divorced), Mel Powell (1946–1998; his death)
Universities
  • University Of Michigan
Notable Alumnis
  • University Of Michigan
Birth PlaceJamesport, Missouri, U.S.
GenderFemale
FatherWalter Alva Scott,
MotherLetha McKinley
Sun SignVirgo
Born inJamesport, Missouri, U.S.
Famous asActress
Died at Age90

// Famous University Of Michigan

Lucy Liu

Lucy Liu

Lucy Alexis Liu is an American actress, model and an occasional film producer. This biography profiles her childhood, early life, career, major works, awards, achievements, personal life, legacy and timeline.

Ted Kaczynski

Ted Kaczynski

Ted Kaczynski is an infamous criminal who became known for a campaign of letter bombs he sent by the name ‘Unabomber’. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family life, achievements and fun facts about him.

Larry Page

Larry Page

Larry Page is the co-founder of search engine Google. This biography of Larry Page provides detailed information about his life, achievements, works & timeline.

Martha Scott's photo

Who is Martha Scott?

Martha Scott was an American actress remembered for her roles in movies like ‘The Ten Commandments’ and ‘Ben-Hur.’ Also well-known is her debut film role as Emily in the motion picture adaptation of Thornton Wilder's play ‘Our Town,’ a role which earned her critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. The daughter of an engineer, she became interested in acting in high school, and proceeded to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in drama from the University of Michigan. Right out of college, she started working with the Globe Theatre Troupe and appeared in a series of Shakespeare productions at the Century of Progress world's fair in Chicago. A successful stage career followed and she made her Broadway debut in the original staging of Thornton Wilder's play ‘Our Town.’ Motivated by her success on the stage, she moved to motion pictures and received much praise for reprising her role in the film adaptation of ‘Our Town.’ Over the next few years, she gained a reputation for being a talented character actress who never shied from taking up unglamorous roles; in fact, she even played the role of the leading man Charlton Heston's mother twice despite being just 11 years older to him. Along with the stage and films, she was also active in television.

// Famous Actresses

Skai Jackson

Skai Jackson

Skai Jackson is an American child actress with huge fan following. Find more about her family & personal life, relationships, facts and more.

Riele Downs

Riele Downs

Riele Downs is a Canadian-American actress & Musical.ly star. Let’s take a look at her family and personal life including age, birthday, net worth, boyfriends and fun facts.

Kaylee Quinn

Kaylee Quinn

Kaylee Quinn is an American dancer, model, and actress. Let’s have a look at her family and personal life including age, date of birth, net worth, relationships, and fun facts.

Childhood & Early Life

Martha Ellen Scott was born on September 22, 1912, in Jamesport, Missouri, U.S. to Walter Scott, an engineer and garage owner, and Letha McKinley.

She became interested in acting while in high school. Her parents were against this idea, but the young girl managed to convince an aunt to lend her $2,500 so that she could study acting at the University of Michigan. She earned a teaching certificate and a Bachelor of Arts degree in drama in 1934.

Career

Martha Scott embarked on an acting career right out of college as a part of the Globe Theatre Troupe and appeared in a series of Shakespeare productions at the Century of Progress world's fair in Chicago in 1934. This marked the beginning of her successful stage career and she went on to feature in several other stage productions over the ensuing years.

In 1938, she made her Broadway debut in the role of Emily Webb in the original staging of Thornton Wilder's play ‘Our Town,’ in which she portrayed a young woman who dies in childbirth.

She soon ventured into Hollywood and reprised her role as Emily in the motion picture adaptation of the play ‘Our Town’ in 1940. Her debut was a successful one and she earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her poignant portrayal of the tragic young woman.

She appeared in a series of films in the 1940s, often taking up unglamorous roles that several other actresses of her era were unwilling to play. She played an aged woman in ‘Cheers for Miss Bishop’ (1941) in which she wore a grey wig and wrinkle makeup, portraying a spinster schoolmistress who devotes five decades of her life to her profession.

She played Olivia Channing Boswell in the 1947 film ‘So Well Remembered’ co-starring John Mills and Trevor Howard. Her role as the ambitious wife of a man who is not much interested in materialistic pursuits was well-received.

One of her most important films in the 1950s was ‘The Desperate Hours’ (1955) in which she played the role of Eleanor "Ellie" Hilliard. The film, which also had Humphrey Bogart and Fredric March in leading roles, was a story about three escaped convicts based on an eponymous novel and play written by Joseph Hayes.

In the 1950s, she forayed into television as well. She made an appearance on ‘The Nash Airflyte Theater’ in 1950 and followed it up with several guest appearances on ‘Robert Montgomery Presents’ and other shows of television's "golden age" during the early years of the medium. She was also the narrator for ‘Modern Romances’, an afternoon program on NBC-TV.

Her performance as Yoshebel, the mother of Moses, in 1956 in the religious epic film ‘The Ten Commandments’ was one of her most memorable roles. She was also much appreciated for her portrayal of Miriam in the 1959 epic historical drama film ‘Ben-Hur.’

She was more active on television during years of her career and played recurring roles as Bob Newhart's mother on ‘The Bob Newhart Show’ and the mother of Colonel Steve Austin on both ‘The Six Million Dollar Man’ and ‘The Bionic Woman’ among other roles during the 1970s and 1980s. Scott's final acting role on television was in the movie ‘Daughter of the Streets’ (1990).

Major Works

Her portrayal of Emily Webb in her film debut ‘Our Town’ is considered one of her most memorable roles. Having already played the character on stage, she reprised her role in the film which earned her much critical praise for her empathic acting.

Awards & Achievements

Martha Scott was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the 1940 film ‘Our Town.’

For her contribution in the theatre, Scott has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6126 Hollywood Boulevard.

Personal Life & Legacy

Martha Scott’s first marriage was to radio producer and announcer Carleton William Alsop from 1940 to 1946. The union produced a son.

She married the jazz pianist and composer Mel Powell in 1946 and remained together until his death in 1998. The couple had two daughters.

She died on May 28, 2003, at the age of 90.

// Famous Film & Theater Personalities

Jacob Elordi

Jacob Elordi

Jacob Elordi is an Australian actor. Let’s take a look at his childhood, family, personal life, career, etc.

Wentworth Miller

Wentworth Miller

Wentworth Miller is an American actor and screenwriter who achieved recognition for his role in the TV series ‘Prison Break’.

Skai Jackson

Skai Jackson

Skai Jackson is an American child actress with huge fan following. Find more about her family & personal life, relationships, facts and more.

Martha Scott biography timelines

  • // 22nd Sep 1912
    Martha Ellen Scott was born on September 22, 1912, in Jamesport, Missouri, U.S. to Walter Scott, an engineer and garage owner, and Letha McKinley.
  • // 1934
    She became interested in acting while in high school. Her parents were against this idea, but the young girl managed to convince an aunt to lend her $2,500 so that she could study acting at the University of Michigan. She earned a teaching certificate and a Bachelor of Arts degree in drama in 1934.
  • // 1934
    Martha Scott embarked on an acting career right out of college as a part of the Globe Theatre Troupe and appeared in a series of Shakespeare productions at the Century of Progress world's fair in Chicago in 1934. This marked the beginning of her successful stage career and she went on to feature in several other stage productions over the ensuing years.
  • // 1938
    In 1938, she made her Broadway debut in the role of Emily Webb in the original staging of Thornton Wilder's play ‘Our Town,’ in which she portrayed a young woman who dies in childbirth.
  • // 1940
    She soon ventured into Hollywood and reprised her role as Emily in the motion picture adaptation of the play ‘Our Town’ in 1940. Her debut was a successful one and she earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress for her poignant portrayal of the tragic young woman.
  • // 1940
    Martha Scott was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the 1940 film ‘Our Town.’
  • // 1940 To 1946
    Martha Scott’s first marriage was to radio producer and announcer Carleton William Alsop from 1940 to 1946. The union produced a son.
  • // 1941
    She appeared in a series of films in the 1940s, often taking up unglamorous roles that several other actresses of her era were unwilling to play. She played an aged woman in ‘Cheers for Miss Bishop’ (1941) in which she wore a grey wig and wrinkle makeup, portraying a spinster schoolmistress who devotes five decades of her life to her profession.
  • // 1946 To 1998
    She married the jazz pianist and composer Mel Powell in 1946 and remained together until his death in 1998. The couple had two daughters.
  • // 1947
    She played Olivia Channing Boswell in the 1947 film ‘So Well Remembered’ co-starring John Mills and Trevor Howard. Her role as the ambitious wife of a man who is not much interested in materialistic pursuits was well-received.
  • // 1950
    In the 1950s, she forayed into television as well. She made an appearance on ‘The Nash Airflyte Theater’ in 1950 and followed it up with several guest appearances on ‘Robert Montgomery Presents’ and other shows of television's "golden age" during the early years of the medium. She was also the narrator for ‘Modern Romances’, an afternoon program on NBC-TV.
  • // 1955
    One of her most important films in the 1950s was ‘The Desperate Hours’ (1955) in which she played the role of Eleanor "Ellie" Hilliard. The film, which also had Humphrey Bogart and Fredric March in leading roles, was a story about three escaped convicts based on an eponymous novel and play written by Joseph Hayes.
  • // 1956 To 1959
    Her performance as Yoshebel, the mother of Moses, in 1956 in the religious epic film ‘The Ten Commandments’ was one of her most memorable roles. She was also much appreciated for her portrayal of Miriam in the 1959 epic historical drama film ‘Ben-Hur.’
  • // 1990
    She was more active on television during years of her career and played recurring roles as Bob Newhart's mother on ‘The Bob Newhart Show’ and the mother of Colonel Steve Austin on both ‘The Six Million Dollar Man’ and ‘The Bionic Woman’ among other roles during the 1970s and 1980s. Scott's final acting role on television was in the movie ‘Daughter of the Streets’ (1990).
  • // 28th May 2003
    She died on May 28, 2003, at the age of 90.

// Famous Virgo Celebrities peoples

Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin

Temple Grandin is a well-known American writer, autistic activist and animal expert. This biography profiles her childhood, life, achievements, career and timeline

Alex Holtti

Alex Holtti

Check out all that you wanted to know about Alex Holtti, the famous Danish Viner & YouTuber; his birthday, his family and personal life, his girlfriends, fun trivia facts and more.

Benjamin Atkinson

Benjamin Atkinson

Benjamin Atkinson is the son of the world-renowned British actor and comedian, Rowan Atkinson. Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family, personal life, including his age, birthday, etc.

Jack Dylan Grazer

Jack Dylan Grazer

Jack Dylan Grazer is an American actor known mainly for his performance in the movie version of ‘Stephen King’s novel ‘It.’ Check out this biography to know about his childhood, family, personal life, birthday, etc.

Ted Williams

Ted Williams

Ted Williams was an American baseball player. Read this biography to learn more about his profile, childhood, life and timeline.

Mia Diaz

Mia Diaz

All about American dancer and actor Mia Diaz, including her age, family life, birthday, boyfriends, net worth, and some fun facts.

Martha Scott's FAQ

  • What is Martha Scott birthday?

    Martha Scott was born at 1912-09-22

  • When was Martha Scott died?

    Martha Scott was died at 2003-05-28

  • Where was Martha Scott died?

    Martha Scott was died in Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California, U.S.

  • Which age was Martha Scott died?

    Martha Scott was died at age 90

  • Where is Martha Scott's birth place?

    Martha Scott was born in Jamesport, Missouri, U.S.

  • What is Martha Scott nationalities?

    Martha Scott's nationalities is American

  • Who is Martha Scott spouses?

    Martha Scott's spouses is Carlton Alsop (1940–1946; divorced), Mel Powell (1946–1998; his death)

  • What was Martha Scott universities?

    Martha Scott studied at University Of Michigan

  • What was Martha Scott notable alumnis?

    Martha Scott's notable alumnis is University Of Michigan

  • Who is Martha Scott's father?

    Martha Scott's father is Walter Alva Scott,

  • Who is Martha Scott's mother?

    Martha Scott's mother is Letha McKinley

  • What is Martha Scott's sun sign?

    Martha Scott is Virgo

  • How famous is Martha Scott?

    Martha Scott is famouse as Actress