Martha Sleeper
Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Martha Sleeper (June 24, 1910 – March 25, 1983) was a film actress of the 1920s–1930s and, later, a Broadway stage actress. She studied dancing for five years with Russian ballet master, Louis H. Chalif, at his New York dancing studio. Her first public exhibitions were at Carnegie Hall at his class exhibitions. Sleeper's film career began in 1923 and continued until 1945. Her first screen appearance, at the age of 13, was in The Mailman (1923), an independent production. After appearing in several kiddie comedies at the Christie studio she was signed by the Hal Roach studio for the Our Gang" series but she quickly outgrew that role. From 1925-27 she appeared in comedies playing opposite the studio's most popular male stars. She left the Roach studio in late 1927 and moved to the FBO studio where she starred in six silent features during 1928–29. With the coming of sound she was signed by MGM and placed in their training program. From 1930 to 1936 she played supporting roles in many melodramas her role typically that of a well-bred somewhat snobbish society woman who ends up losing her man to the film's leading lady. Frustrated by the types of roles she was being offered, Martha began playing onstage in and about Los Angeles, at one point drawing raves as Eliza Doolittle in a performance of Pygmalion in 1932. After appearing in some low budget melodramas for the poverty row Monogram studio Martha and her husband, actor Hardie Albright, left Hollywood for New York in 1936 where Martha began a long run in both on- and off-Broadway plays. In 1945, as a favor to director Leo McCarey, Martha played the role of Patsy's mother in The Bells of St. Mary's. It was her last screen role.
Known For
Mary Gallagher
The Bells of St. Mary's
Sue Leonard
Penthouse
Julia Vivian
The Scoundrel
Hotel Telephone Operator
Sherlock Sleuth
Daughter
Sweet Daddy
The Fiancée
The Honorable Mr. Buggs
Eleanor Stafford
Spitfire
Marie, the Maid
Along Came Auntie
A Punch in the Nose
The Royal Razz
Rachel Gimplewart
Jewish Prudence
Teenaged 'Vamp'
Better Movies
Daughter
Fluttering Hearts
Barbara
Midnight Mary
Daughter
Pass the Gravy
Ellen Hall
Tomorrow's Youth
Princess Helga of Thermosa
Long Fliv the King
The bride
Crazy Like a Fox
Hector's Wife
Say It with Babies
Martha Morley
Broken Dreams
Marcia Harper
Great God Gold
The Apache Dancer
Too Many Mammas
Martha Skittle
Should Tall Men Marry?
Barbara
Huddle
Lucille
Confessions of a Co-Ed
Girl at Party (uncredited)
Innocent Husbands
Helen
War Nurse
Vermuda
Sure-Mike!
Ril Lambeth
West of the Pecos
Imogene-the Bride
There Goes the Bride
Bride
Thundering Fleas
Nancy Clark
Ten Cents a Dance
Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
Days of Thrills and Laughter
Lola's Hair Stylist (uncredited)
Bombshell
Flora Mactavish
Taxi 13
The Butler
What's the World Coming To?
Nancy Fairbrother
Four Days Wonder
Mrs. Dugan
A Ten-Minute Egg
Seeing Nellie Home
Girl with Runaway Pony
Outdoor Pajamas
Flirty McFickle
The Rat's Knuckles
Daughter
Flaming Fathers
Martha, a stenographer
Love 'em and Feed 'em
Show Girl (uncredited)
Hollywood Party
Harriet Mundy
Girls Demand Excitement
Madame Mystery
Jimmie's Girl Friend
Bad Boy
Constance Hyde
Rhythm on the Range
Fish Girl
Madam Satan
Bit Role (uncredited)
Bromo and Juliet
Book store clerk
Big Red Riding Hood
The Nervous Little Girl
Mum's the Word
Corrine
A Tailor-Made Man
Party Girl (uncredited)
Rasputin and the Empress
Kitty
Danger Street
Evelyn Woodforth
Our Blushing Brides
Chorus Girl Who Hears 'My Country Tis of Thee' (Uncredited)
The Secret of Madame Blanche
Smyrna, Verbena's Daughter
Should Sailors Marry?
Elsie Summerstone
Two Sinners
Fiance
Plain and Fancy Girls
Laughing Ladies
Boarding house maid (uncredited)
All Wet
Emmy Milburn
The Little Yellow House
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Known Credits
63
Gender
Female
Birthday
1910-06-24
Place of Birth
Lake Bluff, Illinois, USA
Also Known As