Martha Lee Estes, better known by her stage name, Tennessee-born Snowden, was a multifaceted personality who initially gained widespread recognition as a movie actress and model. Her debut on the popular Jack Benny TV show marked a significant turning point in her career, as she captivated the audience with her sultry stage presence at the San Diego Naval base. The thunderous applause she received from the twenty thousand sailors present, which was widely reported in the entertainment industry publication "Variety", swiftly put her on the radar of every prominent talent scout in Hollywood.
The very next morning, Snowden found herself inundated with offers and was subsequently hired to make her film debut in director Robert Aldrich's thought-provoking crime classic, Kiss Me Deadly (1955). Aldrich not only expanded her role but also accorded her featured billing, further solidifying her status as a rising star in the industry.
In January 1955, Snowden signed a seven-year contract with Universal Studios, commencing her tenure with a role that showcased her distinctive Southern drawl in the lavish soap opera All That Heaven Allows (1955). Her subsequent film appearances included Francis in the Navy (1955),The Creature Walks Among Us (1956),and the Bridey Murphy-inspired I've Lived Before (1956).
In September 1956, Snowden tied the knot with Dick Contino, a renowned singer and accordion player, and eventually retired from acting a few years later. A devoted mother to five children from two marriages, Snowden's life was tragically cut short when she succumbed to cancer at the age of 51.
