Martha Madison

Martha Madison
Born
Martha Anne Butterworth

(1977-07-27) July 27, 1977 (age 49)
Newport News, Virginia, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active2001–present
Spouse
A.J. Gilbert
​
(m. 2007)​
Children1

Martha Madison (born Martha Anne Butterworth; July 27, 1977) is an American actress best known for her portrayal of Belle Black on the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives.

Early life and education

Madison was born in Newport News, Virginia, and raised in Houston, Texas. She attended Cypress Creek High School. In 1999, she graduated from Texas A&M University, where she was also the captain of the dance team, with a degree in psychology.

Career

Film and television

Madison had a minor role in the film Kate & Leopold (2001). In 2003, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. She briefly appeared on the NBC soap opera Passions in 2004.

From 2004 to 2008, Madison played Belle Black on the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives. In 2007, she appeared on and episode of The Tyra Banks Show to help model/host Tyra Banks through "soap opera school." In 2008, she appeared in the Without a Trace episode "Rewind", and in the Criminal Minds episode "The Big Wheel" in 2009. From 2010 to 2014, Madison appeared on the soap opera web series The Bay as Marly Nelson-Foster.

In June 2011, Madison temporarily took over the role as Elizabeth Webber on General Hospital. She and General Hospital's Lilly Melgar currently co-hosted SoapBox with Lilly and Martha.

In 2015, Madison began starring as Miranda Winterthorne in the soap opera web series Winterthorne. She returned Days of Our Lives later in the year.

Personal life

Madison announced her engagement to restaurateur A.J. Gilbert on July 29, 2006. The couple married on August 25, 2007. On November 3, 2013, she gave birth to their daughter.

Philanthropy and activities

In 2005, Madison was named an ambassador for the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation and helped re-design their website. At the time, her mother had been living with multiple sclerosis for nearly 25 years.

Filmography

Year Film Role Notes
2001 Kate & Leopold Office Woman
2003 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Susan Watkins Episode: "Cherry Red"
2004 Passions Lola April 8–14, 2004
2004–2008,
2015–2023		 Days of Our Lives Isabella "Belle" Black August 10, 2004 – March 24, 2008, November 25, 2015 – September 12, 2016, January 24 – February 20, 2017, December 4, 2017 – March 27, 2018, August 21 – November 8, 2018, March 18 – July 9, 2019, June 8, 2020 – November 9, 2023, November 8, 2024, December 2, 2024–present
2006 Biker Mice from Mars Catalina Cat/Cataina Mouse (voice) Episodes: "New Cats in Town" and "The Tender Mouse Trap"
2007 The Singles Table Married woman Episode: "The Work Dinner"
2008 Without a Trace Jolie Episode: "Rewind"
2009 Criminal Minds Kate Episode: "The Big Wheel"
2009 The Mother of Invention Chandra
2011 General Hospital Elizabeth Webber # 2 Temporary recast: June 8–20, 2011
2011 Undercover Bridesmaid Sally Television film
2010–14 The Bay Marly Nelson-Foster 26 episodes
2015 Winterthorne Miranda Winterthorne 4 episodes
2016 One Mississippi Bibby Baxter Episodes: "The Cat's Out", "Let the Good Times Roll"
2016 Ladies of the Lake Vivian Montgomery 4 episodes
2017 Great News Belle Black Episode: "War Is Hell"
2018 To The Beat! Clare Also associate producer
2018 The Price for Silence Deana
2019 A Place Called Hollywood Sissy Satire 3 episodes
2019-2020 Days of Our Lives: Last Blast Reunion Belle Black Web Series

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2016
 Indie Series Awards Best Lead Actress - Drama Winterthorne Nominated
2019
 Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Days of Our Lives Nominated

References

  1. 1 2 3 Rienzo, Alice. "Martha Madison". Bella Online: The Voice for Women. Retrieved 2007-06-10.
  2. ↑ "Who, Where and Wow!". Soap Opera Weekly. 2007-02-13. p. 32.
  3. ↑ Logan, Michael (February 18, 2011). "Exclusive: Online Soap The Bay Looking For a TV Home". TV Guide. Archived from the original on February 19, 2011. Retrieved September 29, 2015.
  4. ↑ Bishop, Jenn (November 17, 2014). "DeVanity Creator Returns with New Sweet Saga Winterthorne". TV Source Magazine. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  5. ↑ Lee, NaVell (November 17, 2014). "DeVanity Creator Michael Caruso Returns to the Web with Winterthorne". Buzzworthy Radio. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Watch The Winterthorne First Trailer … Where Candy and Drama Come Together!". Michael Fairman On-Air On-Soaps. May 22, 2015. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  7. ↑ Mulcahy, Jr., Kevin (August 27, 2015). "Watch the Premiere of Michael Caruso's Winterthorne". We Love Soaps. Archived from the original on September 23, 2015. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  8. ↑ Kerr, Luke (May 22, 2015). "Winterthorne Debuts Epic First Trailer". Daytime Confidential. Retrieved September 17, 2015.
  9. ↑ Martha-madison.com Archived 2007-08-19 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ↑ Di Lauro, Janet (May 23, 2013). "Days of Our Lives Ex Martha Madison". Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved April 29, 2013.
  11. ↑ "Daytime Emmy Nominations: 'Days Of Our Lives' Leads Programs & CBS Tops Networks". Deadline Hollywood. March 20, 2019.