Martha Sleeper

Martha Sleeper

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.

Acting

1936

1935

Two Sinners
Movie

Elsie Summerstone

1935

The Scoundrel
Movie

Julia Vivian

1934

Hollywood Party
Movie

Show Girl (uncredited)

1933

Bombshell
Movie

Lola's Hair Stylist (uncredited)

1933

The Secret of Madame Blanche
Movie

Chorus Girl Who Hears 'My Country Tis of Thee' (Uncredited)

1932

Rasputin and the Empress
Movie

Party Girl (uncredited)

1931

1930

1930

Our Blushing Brides
Movie

Evelyn Woodforth

1927

Jewish Prudence
Movie

Rachel Gimplewart

1926

Bromo and Juliet
Movie

Bit Role (uncredited)

1926

Along Came Auntie
Movie

Marie, the Maid

1926

Long Fliv the King
Movie

Princess Helga of Thermosa

1926

1926

Mum's the Word
Movie

The Nervous Little Girl

1925

Innocent Husbands
Movie

Girl at Party (uncredited)

1924

All Wet
Movie

Boarding house maid (uncredited)

Costume & Make-Up

1964

Infos

Full Name
Martha Sleeper
Gender
Female
Date of Birth
6/24/1910
Date of Death
3/25/1983