Ruth Martin
Actor History
Mary Fickett (1970 to 1996; 2000)
Lee Meriwether (July 10, 1996 to 1999; December 24th, 2002; March 24, 2003; May 2003 to June 2003; November 2003; July 2007 to December 2007; April 2008 to June 2008; November 12, 2008; May 28, 2009)
Other Names
Ruth Parker (maiden name)
Occupation
Registered Nurse
Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity
Resides At
The Martin House on Hillcrest Drive
Marital Status
Married (Joe Martin; married in 1972)
Past Marriages
Ted Brent (ended in 1970; deceased)
Relatives
Amy Parker (sister)
Philip Brent (biological nephew)
Clara (aunt; in Iowa)
Children
Philip Brent (son; with Ted; via adoption)
Tad Martin (son; with Joe; via adoption)
Joseph Martin Jr. (son; with Joe)
Philip Charles Brent (grandson; via adoption)
Jamie Martin (grandson; via adoption)
Kathy Mershon (granddaughter; via adoption; given up for adoption)
Jenny Carey (granddaughter; via adoption)
Flings & Affairs
David Thornton (1976; engaged)
Ray Gardner (Rape)
Crimes Committed
Kept quiet about David Thornton practicing medicine without a license
Committed adultery with David Thorton
Conspired with Opal to lock Diana Cole in a shed [Jul 4, 2005]
Brief Character History
Ruth was married to Ted Brent when AMC first aired. They had an adopted son Philip (the son of Ruth's sister Amy Tyler and Nick Davis). Ted died following an automobile accident in 1970. Joe Martin (also widowed) and Ruth naturally gravitated together and were married in 1972. They have been Pine Valley's ONLY committed couple, having survived adultery ( Ruth with David Thornton) and Joe's attraction (but not adulterous) to an abused patient, Leora, and Ruth's rape by Ray Gardner. Ruth and Joe tried to help Jeff (Joe's son) and Mary adopt the abandoned Tad Gardner. After Mary was shot and murdered by robbers in her own home, Ruth and Joe decided to adopt Tad. Ray wanted to "sell" Tad to the Martins and when they refused he raped and robbed Ruth. Ray was found and sentenced to 25 years, he escaped, returned to PV and planted a bomb in the Martin home. Fearing that his daughter Jenny (Tad's natural sister) was inside, Ray took the bomb outside where it exploded and finally killed the nefarious character. Ruth and Joe had a baby, Joseph Jr. (Joey/Jake) on Christmas day 1979. Ruth and Joe have been the one constant in PV. They are what All My Children represents. Their lives have revolved around "all their children" (and grandchildren. Whenever one of the Martin clan returns to Pine Valley, the first place they stop is Hillcrest Drive because they know they will always be welcomed by Ruth and Joe. Ruth and Joe have also become the wise sages to all the young lovers, new parents, and anyone with a problem. Ruth has carried on where Grandma Kate left off.
Ruth's marriage to Joe nearly came to a premature end in July 1997. Joe, after a heated argument with Dimitri Marick, suffered a major heart attack. Joe, still wanting to protect his wife even while in a fragile state, demanded that his wife not be told of the serious nature of his condition. Ruth eventually learned of the severity of Joe's problems and did her best to nurse him back to health.
Ruth's appearances were confined to holidays and special occasions by the late 90's, although she also appeared with Joe in March 2003 to learn from Tad that Jake had fled town after cheating on his girlfriend, Mia. Ruth comforted Mia in her true maternal style.
