Ruth Martin (née
Parker; previously
Brent) is a
fictional characterA character is the representation of a person in a narrative or dramatic work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr through its Latin transcription character, the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its...
from the
ABCThe American Broadcasting Company is an American television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. It first broadcast on television in 1948...
soap operaA soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on television or radio. The name "soap opera" stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers such as Procter & Gamble,...
All My ChildrenAll My Children is an American soap opera that has been broadcast Monday through Friday on the ABC TV network since January 5, 1970; repeat episodes air weeknights on SOAPnet. Created by Agnes Nixon, the show is set in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, a fictitious suburb of Philadelphia...
. She is a registered
nurseA nurse is a healthcare professional who, in collaboration with other members of a health care team, is responsible for: treatment, safety, and recovery of acutely or chronically ill individuals; health promotion and maintenance within families, communities and populations; and, treatment of...
and volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. In the 1970s, she was
rapeRape, also referred to as sexual assault, is an assault by a person involving sexual intercourse with or without sexual penetration of another person without that person's consent....
d by
Ray GardnerRay Gardner was a character on the American television soap opera All My Children from 1977 to 1983. In 1993, 1994, and 2001, Ray appeared as a spirit. Gardner, played by Gil Rogers, was married to Opal and was the biological father of Jenny Gardner and Tad Martin.- Character history :Ray Gardner...
, the biological father of her adopted son,
Tad MartinTad Martin is a fictional character from the American daytime drama All My Children. Tad is portrayed by actor Michael E. Knight. Knight has portrayed the role on and off since 1982. Tad represents the good on the show All My Children, often butting heads with "villains" like Adam Chandler. He is...
.
Ruth is the matriarch of the Martin family and, in a sense, the matriarchial character of
All My Children itself. Along with her husband
Dr. Joe MartinDr. Joseph "Joe" Martin Sr. is a long-running character on the American soap opera All My Children. Along with his wife Ruth Martin and his former daughter-in-law Erica Kane, he is one of three original characters remaining since the series' premiere episode...
and her former daughter-in-law
Erica KaneErica Kane is a long-running fictional character from the American daytime drama All My Children. Along with Dr. Joe Martin, she is one of two original characters remaining since the series' premiere episode. Created in the 1960s, the character has been portrayed by actress Susan Lucci since the...
, she is one of three original characters remaining since the series' premiere episode.
Ruth Martin (née
Parker; previously
Brent) is a
fictional characterA character is the representation of a person in a narrative or dramatic work of art . Derived from the ancient Greek word kharaktêr through its Latin transcription character, the earliest use in English, in this sense, dates from the Restoration, although it became widely used after its...
from the
ABCThe American Broadcasting Company is an American television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. It first broadcast on television in 1948...
soap operaA soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on television or radio. The name "soap opera" stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers such as Procter & Gamble,...
All My ChildrenAll My Children is an American soap opera that has been broadcast Monday through Friday on the ABC TV network since January 5, 1970; repeat episodes air weeknights on SOAPnet. Created by Agnes Nixon, the show is set in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, a fictitious suburb of Philadelphia...
. She is a registered
nurseA nurse is a healthcare professional who, in collaboration with other members of a health care team, is responsible for: treatment, safety, and recovery of acutely or chronically ill individuals; health promotion and maintenance within families, communities and populations; and, treatment of...
and volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. In the 1970s, she was
rapeRape, also referred to as sexual assault, is an assault by a person involving sexual intercourse with or without sexual penetration of another person without that person's consent....
d by
Ray GardnerRay Gardner was a character on the American television soap opera All My Children from 1977 to 1983. In 1993, 1994, and 2001, Ray appeared as a spirit. Gardner, played by Gil Rogers, was married to Opal and was the biological father of Jenny Gardner and Tad Martin.- Character history :Ray Gardner...
, the biological father of her adopted son,
Tad MartinTad Martin is a fictional character from the American daytime drama All My Children. Tad is portrayed by actor Michael E. Knight. Knight has portrayed the role on and off since 1982. Tad represents the good on the show All My Children, often butting heads with "villains" like Adam Chandler. He is...
.
Ruth is the matriarch of the Martin family and, in a sense, the matriarchial character of
All My Children itself. Along with her husband
Dr. Joe MartinDr. Joseph "Joe" Martin Sr. is a long-running character on the American soap opera All My Children. Along with his wife Ruth Martin and his former daughter-in-law Erica Kane, he is one of three original characters remaining since the series' premiere episode...
and her former daughter-in-law
Erica KaneErica Kane is a long-running fictional character from the American daytime drama All My Children. Along with Dr. Joe Martin, she is one of two original characters remaining since the series' premiere episode. Created in the 1960s, the character has been portrayed by actress Susan Lucci since the...
, she is one of three original characters remaining since the series' premiere episode. The character was originated by
Mary FickettMary Fickett is an Emmy-winning American actress.Fickett has two children from her three marriages...
in the show's first episode on January 5, 1970. After 26 years Fickett left the role, and Ruth has been portrayed by
Lee MeriwetherLee Ann Meriwether is Miss America 1955, and an American actress, appearing primarily in movies, soap operas and television...
since July 10, 1996.
After her first husband Ted Brent died in a car accident she began dating Dr. Joe Martin, also a widow. The two married in 1972, blending the families and took in a young boy
Thaddeus GardnerTad Martin is a fictional character from the American daytime drama All My Children. Tad is portrayed by actor Michael E. Knight. Knight has portrayed the role on and off since 1982. Tad represents the good on the show All My Children, often butting heads with "villains" like Adam Chandler. He is...
in 1973. Thaddeus (known a Tad) was abandoned by his abusive father, Ray Gardner in a park. Ray showed up sometime later and demanded money for his son. After the Martins adamantly refused, Ray stalked Ruth and violently raped her one night, leaving her in a coma.
Joe began to have feelings for a patient Leora Sanders. During their separation Ruth had an affair with David Thorton and two two were engaged at one point. Eventually Ruth and Joe reconciled. Ruth and Joe had a son
Joseph Martin JrDr. Joseph "Jake" Martin Jr. is a fictional character on the long-running American daytime drama All My Children. Since the character's on-screen birth in 1979, he has been portrayed by several actors, most recently by Ricky Paull Goldin, who took over the role on April 30, 2008.-Storyline:Jake,...
. (now referred to as Jake) on Christmas Day 1979.
Ruth has stood by her husband during some very trying times. The Martin House was destroyed in 1994 by a tornado. The whole town came together and helped the Martins as they rebuilt. In 1997 Joe suffered a heart attack and almost died.
Ruth's fear of Ray Gardner was revisited in April 2008, when his brother Robert came to Jenny's birthday party.
In May 2008, Ruth & Joe attended Angie & Jesse's wedding. Robert Gardner showed up and shot Julia, Greg, and Tad. Ruth & Joe attempted to save Julia, but they lost her. While devastated over Julia's death, the Martins were thrilled over finding out that Kathy was indeed their granddaughter Kate.
Ruth became emotional when in October 2008, another tornado hit Pine Valley. She and Jenny waited out the storm in the state of the art shelter Tad and Joe built in the basement.
After
Stuart ChandlerStuart Chandler is a fictional character on ABC's daytime drama All My Children. He is a member of the powerful and wealthy Chandler family. He was portrayed by David Canary from October 1984 to May 28, 2009.- Identical opposite :...
's murder in May 2009, Ruth, Tad, Jake, and Amanda attended his funeral.
Ruth is now a recurring character only visible during special occasions.