Mary Martin (b. December 1, 1913) was an actress, singer and Broadway performer originally from Weatherford, TX.

With trouble breaking in to the entertainment industry, Martin began her career under her maiden name, singing on the radio in Dallas as well as nightclubs in Los Angeles. She made her Broadway debut in November of 1938 when she starred as the front woman in Cole Porter’s Leave It to Me!. She went on to be a Broadway legend, originating the roles of Nellie Forbush in South Pacific, Peter Pan in Peter Pan, and Maria in The Sound of Music.

Martin was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1973 and holds 3 Tony Awards.

She passed away four weeks before her 77th birthday due to colorectal cancer at her home in Rancho Mirage, CA. She was buried in her hometown, with her legacy known as an American treasure.