Martha Byrne
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SOAP STAR STATS
Martha Byrne (ex-Lily/ex-Rose, ATWT)
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— CBS
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Vital Statistics
- Birthday:
- December 23
- Marriages:
- Byrne wed New York City police officer Michael McMahon in November, 1994.
- Children:
- Michael (b. May 29, 1998); Maxwell (b. September 3, 2002); Annmarie (b. June 12, 2006).
The 411
The youngest of four children born in Ridgewood, NJ, Martha Byrne began her acting career at age 10 when she played July in Broadway's Annie. In 1984, she auditioned for but lost the role of Lily to Lucy Deakins because the show didn't think she was enough of a tomboy. But when Deakins quit in 1985, Byrne was hired and played the character until 1989, when she left the show to move to L.A. (Heather Rattray replaced her as Lily.) Though she worked steadily, Byrne missed her family and friends back East and returned to the show in 1993. In 2000, she also began playing Lily's twin sister, Rose. Byrne has received many accolades over the years, winning two Daytime Emmys (for Outstanding Lead Actress in 2001, also nominated in 2002; and for Outstanding Ingenue in 1987, also nominated in 1986). She has picked up seven Soap Opera Digest Award nominations, including Outstanding Lead Actress (2001); Favorite Couple, with Jon Hensley, Holden (2000); Hottest Romance, with Hensley (1998); Hottest Female Star (1997); Outstanding Younger Leading Actress (1996); Hottest Female Star (1994); and Outstanding Youth Actor/Actress (1986). After being unable to agree to terms with the show, Byrne's contract expired and she left ATWT in April 2008.
Et Cetera
—Birth name is Mary Martha Byrne
—Knocked out her front teeth as a teen
—Is a long-time Howard Stern fan
—Watches B&B and Y&R
—Was a student at Immaculate Heart Academy during her early years at ATWT
—Has recorded two compact discs
Career Highlights
TV Roles
WHEN THE CRADLE FALLS (TV movie, 1997)
HEARTS ARE WILD (guest star, 1992)
PARKER LEWIS CAN'T LOSE (guest star, 1992)
SILK STALKINGS (guest star, 1991)
PINK LIGHTNING (TV movie, 1991)
MURDER, SHE WROTE (guest star, 1991)
PROS AND CONS (guest star, 1991)
DOOGIE HOWSER, M.D. (guest star, 1990)
THE YOUNG RIDERS (guest star, 1990)
JAKE AND THE FATMAN (guest star, 1990)
OVER MY DEAD BODY (guest star, 1990)
IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT (guest star, 1989)
KATE & ALLIE (guest star, 1985)
HE'S FIRED, SHE'S HIRED (TV movie, 1984)
THE HAMPTONS (guest star, 1983)
DROP-OUT FATHER (TV movie, 1982)
Film Roles
Mergers & Acquisitions (2001)
The Marksmen (1997)
The Beniker Gang (1985)
Anna to the Infinite Power (1983)
The Eyes of the Amaryllis (1982)
Memorable Quotes
—"I don't want to become a child star and then never work again. I think I would die."— Soap Opera Digest, 8/12/86
"I'm so grateful that people are re-evaluating their lives, trying to spend time with their family —prioritizing things. But I have always been so appreciative of that ... Emmys are great and make you feel wonderful about your work. But the reality is how you feel every day about yourself and the people around you, the people you care about. That's all that matters. I know it sounds kind of corny, but it's so true." —Digest, 12/25/01
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