Acting · Lake Bluff, Illinois, USA · Born June 24, 1910
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.
MovieDays of Thrills and Laughter
1961
as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
MovieThe Bells of St. Mary's
1945
as Mary Gallagher
Four Days Wonder
1936
as Nancy Fairbrother
MovieRhythm on the Range
1936
as Constance Hyde
MovieTwo Sinners
1935
as Elsie Summerstone
MovieThe Scoundrel
1935
as Julia Vivian
MovieGreat God Gold
1935
as Marcia Harper
MovieWest of the Pecos
1934
as Ril Lambeth
MovieTomorrow's Youth
1934
as Ellen Hall
MovieHollywood Party
1934
as Show Girl (uncredited)
MovieSpitfire
1934
as Eleanor Stafford
MovieBroken Dreams
1933
as Martha Morley
MovieBombshell
1933
as Lola's Hair Stylist (uncredited)
MoviePenthouse
1933
as Sue Leonard
MovieMidnight Mary
1933
as Barbara
MovieThe Secret of Madame Blanche
1933
as Chorus Girl Who Hears 'My Country Tis of Thee' (Uncredited)
MovieRasputin and the Empress
1932
as Party Girl (uncredited)
MovieHuddle
1932
as Barbara
MovieConfessions of a Co-Ed
1931
as Lucille
MovieA Tailor-Made Man
1931
as Corrine
MovieGirls Demand Excitement
1931
as Harriet Mundy
MovieTen Cents a Dance
1931
as Nancy Clark
MovieWar Nurse
1930
as Helen
MovieMadam Satan
1930
as Fish Girl
MovieOur Blushing Brides
1930
as Evelyn Woodforth
The Voice of the Storm
1929
as Ruth
MovieThe Air Legion
1929
as Sally
Taxi 13
1928
as Flora Mactavish
MovieDanger Street
1928
as Kitty
MovieSkinner's Big Idea
1928
as Dorothy
MovieThe Little Yellow House
1928
as Emmy Milburn
MovieShould Tall Men Marry?
1928
as Martha Skittle
MoviePass the Gravy
1928
as Daughter
MovieFlaming Fathers
1927
as Daughter
Fighting Fathers
1927
as Max's Daughter
Love 'em and Feed 'em
1927
as Martha, a stenographer
MovieFluttering Hearts
1927
as Daughter
MovieJewish Prudence
1927
as Rachel Gimplewart
MovieThe Honorable Mr. Buggs
1927
as The Fiancée
MovieBromo and Juliet
1926
as Bit Role (uncredited)
MovieCrazy Like a Fox
1926
as The bride
MovieAlong Came Auntie
1926
as Marie, the Maid
MovieThundering Fleas
1926
as Bride
MovieLong Fliv the King
1926
as Princess Helga of Thermosa
MovieDon Key (Son of Burro)
1926
MovieSay It with Babies
1926
as Hector's Wife
MovieMum's the Word
1926
as The Nervous Little Girl
MovieMadame Mystery
1926
MovieWhat's the World Coming To?
1926
as The Butler
MovieA Punch in the Nose
1926
MovieShould Sailors Marry?
1925
as Smyrna, Verbena's Daughter
MovieBetter Movies
1925
as Teenaged 'Vamp'
MovieInnocent Husbands
1925
as Girl at Party (uncredited)
Sherlock Sleuth
1925
as Hotel Telephone Operator
MovieSure-Mike!
1925
as Vermuda
MovieBig Red Riding Hood
1925
as Book store clerk
MovieBad Boy
1925
as Jimmie's Girl Friend
MoviePlain and Fancy Girls
1925
as Fiance
MovieThe Rat's Knuckles
1925
as Flirty McFickle
MovieThere Goes the Bride
1925
as Imogene-the Bride
MovieLaughing Ladies
1925
MovieThe Royal Razz
1924
MovieToo Many Mammas
1924
as The Apache Dancer
MovieOutdoor Pajamas
1924
as Girl with Runaway Pony
MovieSweet Daddy
1924
as Daughter
MovieSeeing Nellie Home
1924
MovieA Ten-Minute Egg
1924
as Mrs. Dugan
The Racing Kid
1924
MovieAll Wet
1924
as Boarding house maid (uncredited)
MovieThe Mailman
1923
as Betty
