Marietta Canty (September 30, 1905 – July 9, 1986) was an American actress, community activist and recipient of numerous

humanist Humanism is a philosophical stance that emphasizes the individual and social potential and agency of human beings. It considers human beings the starting point for serious moral and philosophical inquiry. The meaning of the term "humani ...

awards.

Personal life and social engagement

Marietta Canty was born in

Hartford, Connecticut Hartford is the capital city of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It was the seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960. It is the core city in the Greater Hartford metropolitan area. Census estimates since the ...

, the daughter of Mary and Henry Canty, who attended the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and actively canvassed for the Republican Party. Marietta Canty herself ran for a seat on the Hartford City Council in the early 1960s. 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

, bought by her parents, Mary and Henry Canty in 1930, is named in her honour.

Acting career

As an actress, Marietta Canty first appeared on

Broadway Broadway may refer to: Theatre * Broadway Theatre (disambiguation) * Broadway theatre, theatrical productions in professional theatres near Broadway, Manhattan, New York City, U.S. ** Broadway (Manhattan), the street **Broadway Theatre (53rd Stree ...

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 Marie Magdalene "Marlene" DietrichBorn as Maria Magdalena, not Marie Magdalene, according to Dietrich's biography by her daughter, Maria Riva ; however Dietrich's biography by Charlotte Chandler cites "Marie Magdalene" as her birth name . (, ; ...

in the leading role. Canty is perhaps best known as Delilah,

Spencer Tracy Spencer Bonaventure Tracy (April 5, 1900 – June 10, 1967) was an American actor. He was known for his natural performing style and versatility. One of the major stars of Hollywood's Golden Age, Tracy was the first actor to win two cons ...

's housemaid, in the comedy ''

Father of the Bride The Father of the Bride is commonly one of the wedding ceremony participants. Father of the Bride may also refer to: * ''Father of the Bride'' (novel), 1949, by Edward Streeter ** ''Father of the Bride'' (franchise), media franchise based on the 1 ...

'' (1950) and in its sequel ''

Father's Little Dividend ''Father's Little Dividend'' is a 1951 American comedy film directed by Vincente Minnelli and starring Spencer Tracy, Joan Bennett, and Elizabeth Taylor. The movie is the sequel to '' Father of the Bride'' (1950). Plot In this sequel to '' Fat ...

'' (1951). Canty retired from film acting in 1955, her last role in Hollywood was ''

Rebel Without a Cause ''Rebel Without a Cause'' is a 1955 American coming-of-age drama film about emotionally confused suburban, middle-class teenagers. Filmed in the then recently introduced CinemaScope format and directed by Nicholas Ray, it offered both social co ...

'' starring

James Dean James Byron Dean (February 8, 1931September 30, 1955) was an American actor. He is remembered as a cultural icon of teenage disillusionment and social estrangement, as expressed in the title of his most celebrated film, ''Rebel Without a Cause' ...

, where she had a memorable part as

Sal Mineo Salvatore Mineo Jr. (January 10, 1939 – February 12, 1976) was an American actor, singer, and director. He is best known for his role as John "Plato" Crawford in the drama film ''Rebel Without a Cause'' (1955), which earned him a nomination f ...

's family maid.

Filmography

Notes

{{DEFAULTSORT:Canty, Marietta 1905 births 1986 deaths African-American actresses American activists Actresses from Hartford, Connecticut 20th-century African-American women 20th-century African-American people