Background
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.
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.
Marietta Canty herself ran for a seat on the Hartford City Council in the early 1960s. 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.
Two of her first roles were in the films and, 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 it"s 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.