Martha Greenhouse

Martha Miriam Greenhouse (June 14, 1921 – January 5, 2013) was an American actress and union leader whose work spanned stage, film, and television. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, she spent her formative years in New York City and graduated from Hunter College High School in 1939.

Greenhouse maintained an active Broadway career from 1943 to 1975, appearing in productions that included the dramas Sons and Soldiers and The Family, as well as Summer Brave, Woman Is My Idea, and Dear Me, The Sky is Falling. Her stage work extended beyond Broadway to off-Broadway productions as well.

Her film appearances included The Stepford Wives, Bananas, Daniel, and Tomorrow Night. On television, Greenhouse appeared across a range of series and soap operas, among them Route 66, Car 54 Where Are You?, Law & Order, The Jackie Gleason Show, The Phil Silvers Show, Ryan's Hope, and Love Is a Many Splendored Thing.

In addition to her performing career, Greenhouse held significant leadership roles within the actors' unions. She served five terms as president of AFTRA's New York branch and sat on the Screen Actors Guild's National Board from 1981 to 1987. Her contributions to union service were recognized with three honors: the Founder's Award, the Ken Harvey Award, and the George Heller Gold Card.