Mary Martin
American singer and actress
Cite this page
“Mary Martin.” thisDay, thisday.info/people/mary-martin/. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.
Mary Martin. (n.d.). thisDay. Retrieved November 9, 2026, from https://thisday.info/people/mary-martin/
“Mary Martin.” thisDay. Accessed November 9, 2026. https://thisday.info/people/mary-martin/.
Who was Mary Martin?
Mary Virginia Martin (December 1, 1913 – November 3, 1990) was an American actress and singer. She was the mother of actor Larry Hagman. Martin was born in Weatherford, Texas. Her autobiography described her childhood as secure and happy. Her father, Preston Martin, was a lawyer, and her mother, Juanita Presley, was a violin teacher. Martin's family had a barn and orchard that kept her entertained. She played with her elder sister Geraldine (whom she called "Sister"), climbing trees and riding ponies. She was named a Kennedy Center Honoree in 1989. She had close relationships with both of her parents as well as her siblings. Although the doctors told Juanita that she would risk her life if she attempted to have another baby, she was determined to have a boy. Instead, she had Mary, who became a tomboy.
Historical significance
A muse of Rodgers and Hammerstein, she originated many leading roles on stage over her career, including Nellie Forbush in South Pacific (1949), the title character in Peter Pan (1954), and Maria von Trapp in The Sound of Music (1959). Over the course of her career, she won four Tony Awards and an Emmy Award.
Cite this page
“Mary Martin.” thisDay, thisday.info/people/mary-martin/. Accessed 9 Nov. 2026.
Mary Martin. (n.d.). thisDay. Retrieved November 9, 2026, from https://thisday.info/people/mary-martin/
“Mary Martin.” thisDay. Accessed November 9, 2026. https://thisday.info/people/mary-martin/.