[6] At the urging of her parents, Martin attended Fisk University for a two-year span before dropping out to embark on an acting career.

[6] After leaving college, Martin moved to Chicago, and New York City thereafter to study acting with the WPA Theater and the Rose McClendon Players.

[8] Martin became a Broadway character actress for many decades, debuting in 'Orchids Preferred' in 1937 and thereafter Orson Welles's production of Native Son in 1941.

Martin became widely known later in life due to her roles in popular television series, which brought her a large audience.

Martin portrayed a variety of grandmothers in films: Hollywood Shuffle (1987),[10] Don't Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood (1996), I Got the Hook Up (1998),[11] House Party 2 (1991), and Mama Doll in Bulworth (1998).