Martha Ellen Scott was born in Jamesport, Missouri, to Letha (McKinley) and Walter Alva Scott, an engineer and garage owner. She entered films in the early 1940s, following an initial
appearance in stock. Her first film appearance was
Our Town (1940), playing the same
character as she played on the stage. She won an Academy Award
nomination for her superb performance in the film. Martha Scott is
remembered as a highly talented actress, however her work is often
forgotten today as she was never seen as a truly bankable star by the
major studios.
A recent memorable performance for Martha was as Sister Beatrice in the
camp disaster movie
Airport 1975 (1974). She played a
dominant experienced nun with
Helen Reddy,
in a cast of major stars facing disaster on the stricken Boeing 747
jetliner.
She continued to work consistently throughout the 1970s and 1980s,
often appearing in television movies and on the stage. She died at the
age of 90 in May 2003 and is buried with her husband
Mel Powell.
Daughter of the Streets(1990)as Sarah
Love and Betrayal(1989)as Ginger
Doin' Time on Planet Earth(1988)as Virginia Camalier
Hotel(1983)as Estelle, Roz Campbell
Murder, She Wrote(1984)as Georgia Wilson
First Monday in October(1981)
Biography(1987)as Self
William Holden: The Golden Boy(1989)as Self
AFI Life Achievement Award(1973)as Self - Audience Member
The Paul Ryan Show(1977)as Self
The Ten Commandments: Making Miracles(2011)as Yochabel
10th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards(2004)as Self - Memorial Tribute
Hollywood and the Stars(1963)as Self
