Virginia Payne


Marie Virginia Payne was an American radio actress, best known for her 27-year role as the title character in the radio soap opera Ma Perkins. In 1939-1940, she played Mrs. Kerry Carter on the radio soap opera The Carters of Elm Street. She was in the soap opera Light of the World, 1940-1950, on CBS and NBC and on Lonely Women on NBC in 1942.
Noting the 25th anniversary of Ma Perkins, Time described Payne in 1957:

Stage

While she attended the University of Cincinnati, she performed in student productions and was the vice president of the club.
After the long run of Ma Perkins came to an end, Payne did theater. She appeared on Broadway in the Betty Comden - Adolph Green musical comedy, Fade Out - Fade In, and Paul Zindel's play, And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little. Until one month before her death from cancer, she played Mrs. Bedwin in a production of Oliver! staged at the Playhouse in the Park in her home town of Cincinnati.

Union

Payne was active in the American Federation of Radio Artists, serving as president of the Chicago local and as national president.

Personal life

Payne was a graduate of the Schuster-Martin School of Drama in Cincinnati and earned a master's degree from the University of Cincinnati.

Death

Payne died February 9, 1977, at her home in Cincinnati.