Marietta Canty

Marietta Canty (1905-1986) was an American actress, community activist and recipient of numerous humanist awards.

Marietta Canty
Born(1905-09-30)September 30, 1905
Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
DiedJuly 9, 1986(1986-07-09) (aged 80)
Hartford, Connecticut, U.S.
Occupationactress
Years active1933-1955

Personal life and social engagement

Marietta Canty was born in Hartford, Connecticut, the daughter of Mary and Henry Canty, who attended the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and actively canvassed for the Republican Party.[1] Marietta Canty herself ran for a seat on the Hartford City Council in the early 1960s.[2][3] Her awards include the Humanitarian Award, Hartford Section of National Council of Women; and the certificate of Service and Award Recognition by the American Red Cross. The Marietta Canty House, a circa 1897 Queen Anne style house in Hartford, Connecticut, bought by her parents, Mary and Henry Canty in 1930, is named in her honour.[1]

Acting career

As an actress, Marietta Canty first appeared on Broadway in 1933. She also appeared in 40 films between 1940 and 1955, mostly in supporting roles and bit parts. Like many African-American actresses of her generation, she often played family maids. Two of her first roles were in the films The Lady is Waiting (1942) and The Spoilers (1942), both with Marlene Dietrich in the leading role. Canty is perhaps best known as Delilah, Spencer Tracy's housemaid, in the comedy Father of the Bride (1950) and in its sequel Father's Little Dividend (1951). Canty retired from film acting in 1955, her last role in Hollywood was Rebel Without a Cause starring James Dean, where she had a memorable part as Sal Mineo's family maid.

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1940Boom TownKaren's MaidUncredited
1942The Lady is WaitingMary Lou
1942The SpoilersIdabelle
1942Not a Ladies' ManLucy
1942The Magnificent DopeJenny
1942Silver QueenRuby
1942Johnny DoughboySweetheartUncredited
1943Three Hearts for JuliaMattie, Julia's Maid
1943Mexican Spitfire's Blessed EventVerbena (Carmelita's Maid)
1944Lady in the DarkMartha
1944The Heavenly BodyPearl
1944Goin' to TownCamellia
1944Irish Eyes Are SmilingPhoebe the Ladies Room MaidUncredited
1944Sunday Dinner for a SoldierSamanthyUncredited
1944Lake Placid SerenadePriscillaUncredited
1946Johnny Comes Flying HomeJennieUncredited
1946The Searching WindSophronia, the Maid
1946Home Sweet HomicideCherrington HousekeeperUncredited
1947The Sea of GrassRachaelUncredited
1947Dear RuthDora
1947The Crimson KeyPetuniaUncredited
1948Best Man WinsHester
1948Words and MusicMaryUncredited
1949Mother Is a FreshmanBeulahUncredited
1949Chicago DeadlineHazel
1949Dear WifeDora
1949My Foolish HeartGrace
1950Father of the BrideDelilah
1950Bright LeafQueenie - Sonia's MaidUncredited
1950The Toast of New OrleansAngelique, Suzette's MaidUncredited
1951Belle Le GrandDaisy
1951ValentinoTilly - Joan's MaidUncredited
1951Father's Little DividendDelilah
1951A Streetcar Named DesireGiggling Woman with EuniceUncredited
1952DreamboatLaviniaUncredited
1952The Bad and the BeautifulIdaUncredited
1953The I Don't Care GirlDollyUncredited
1955A Man Called PeterEmmaUncredited
1955Rebel Without a CauseCrawford Family Maid(final film role)

Notes
  1. "Marietta Canty House Hartford, Connecticut". NPS. Retrieved 16 April 2015.
  2. "ACTRESS AND BOXER SEEK COUNCIL SEATS" (PDF). New York Times. New York. August 20, 1961. Retrieved April 16, 2015.
  3. "Marietta Canty House - ConnecticutHistory.org". connecticuthistory.org.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.