Marietta Canty

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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

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

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
1940 Boom Town Karen's Maid Uncredited
1942 The Lady is Waiting Mary Lou
1942 The Spoilers Idabelle
1942 Not a Ladies' Man Lucy
1942 The Magnificent Dope Jenny
1942 Silver Queen Ruby
1942 Johnny Doughboy Sweetheart Uncredited
1943 Three Hearts for Julia Mattie, Julia's Maid
1943 Mexican Spitfire's Blessed Event Verbena (Carmelita's Maid)
1944 Lady in the Dark Martha
1944 The Heavenly Body Pearl
1944 Goin' to Town Camellia
1944 Irish Eyes Are Smiling Phoebe the Ladies Room Maid Uncredited
1944 Sunday Dinner for a Soldier Samanthy Uncredited
1944 Lake Placid Serenade Priscilla Uncredited
1946 Johnny Comes Flying Home Jennie Uncredited
1946 The Searching Wind Sophronia, the Maid
1946 Home Sweet Homicide Cherrington Housekeeper Uncredited
1947 The Sea of Grass Rachael Uncredited
1947 Dear Ruth Dora
1947 The Crimson Key Petunia Uncredited
1948 Best Man Wins Hester
1948 Words and Music Mary Uncredited
1949 Mother Is a Freshman Beulah Uncredited
1949 Chicago Deadline Hazel
1949 Dear Wife Dora
1949 My Foolish Heart Grace
1950 Father of the Bride Delilah
1950 Bright Leaf Queenie - Sonia's Maid Uncredited
1950 The Toast of New Orleans Angelique, Suzette's Maid Uncredited
1951 Belle Le Grand Daisy
1951 Valentino Tilly - Joan's Maid Uncredited
1951 Father's Little Dividend Delilah
1951 A Streetcar Named Desire Giggling Woman with Eunice Uncredited
1952 Dreamboat Lavinia Uncredited
1952 The Bad and the Beautiful Ida Uncredited
1953 The I Don't Care Girl Dolly Uncredited
1955 A Man Called Peter Emma Uncredited
1955 Rebel Without a Cause Crawford Family Maid (final film role)

Notes[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "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.
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