Martin, Mary (1913-1990), was one of the most popular stars in the history of American musical comedy theater. She became known for the warmth and high spirits of her personality and her clear singing voice. Martin starred in two of the biggest hits in Broadway history, South Pacific (1949) and The Sound of Music (1959). She is perhaps best remembered, though, for playing Peter Pan on the Broadway stage and on television.
Martin was born in Weatherford, Texas. She made her debut in the musical Leave It to Me! (1938). Her rendition of the song “My Heart Belongs to Daddy” made her an immediate star. Martin also played minor roles in 11 motion-picture musicals from 1938 to 1946. On the stage, she portrayed a classical statue of a goddess who comes to life in the musical fantasy One Touch of Venus (1943). She then played a faithful wife in Lute Song (1946), a musical adaptation of a traditional Chinese drama. Martin played the title role of Annie Oakley in a touring production of the musical Annie Get Your Gun in 1947 and 1948.
Martin achieved the first great success of her career in South Pacific, playing nurse Nellie Forbush in a romance set during World War II (1939-1945) in the Pacific. She sang the numbers as “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair” and “I’m in Love with a Wonderful Guy.”
Martin gained another success in 1954 playing the leading role in a musical version of Peter Pan on Broadway. She repeated the role in two television specials.
Martin’s next Broadway show was The Sound of Music, playing Maria, a young novice in a religious order during the late 1930’s in Austria. In The Sound of Music, she introduced the title song and “My Favorite Things.” Martin’s final Broadway success was I Do! I Do! (1966), a musical portrait of 50 years in the lives of a married couple.
Martin wrote an autobiography, My Heart Belongs (1976). She was the mother of Larry Hagman, a popular television actor.
