Martha Hyer(1924-2014)
- Actress
- Writer
- Soundtrack
Martha Hyer was born on August 10, 1924 in Fort Worth, Texas. Once she
finished her formal schooling, Martha played a bit role in 1946's
The Locket (1946). Slowly, Martha
began picking up roles with more and more substance. The best years for
the beautiful actress began in 1954 when she played in films such as
Down Three Dark Streets (1954),
Showdown at Abilene (1956)
and Battle Hymn (1957). Perhaps the
best role of her long career was as "Gwen French" in 1958's
Some Came Running (1958) in
which she starred opposite Frank Sinatra,
Dean Martin and
Shirley MacLaine. As a result of her
stellar role, Martha received an Academy Award nomination as Best
Supporting Actress, but she lost out to
Wendy Hiller in
Separate Tables (1958).
Afterwards, Martha's stint on the US silver screen's trailed off some.
She did make a handful of foreign films, returning to appear in the US
from time to time, but nothing compared to the pace she had in the
fifties. Her last film was in 1973 in the film
The Day of the Wolves (1971).
In 1966, she married producer
Hal B. Wallis and remained with him until
his death in 1986.
