Martha Raye was born Margaret Teresa Yvonne O'Reed in Butte, Montana. She was influenced by her vaudeville parents and at the age of three became part of their act. At the age of 13, she was a singer with a band. Her boisterous and comedic attitude led her into an acting career, which began with her Broadway debut in 1934 in Calling All Stars. A year later, she made her film debut in Rhythm on the Range. Most of her roles were minor until 1947, when she played a murder victim in Monsieur Verdoux.