Martha Scott’s Children: Meet Carlton Scott Alsop, Kathleen Powell and Mary Powell Harpel

Martha Scott, the celebrated American actress best known for her Oscar-nominated portrayal of Emily Webb in Thornton Wilder’s Our Town and her roles in cinematic classics like The Ten Commandments and Ben-Hur, left behind a legacy beyond Hollywood.

She was also a devoted mother to three children: Carlton Scott Alsop, Kathleen Powell, and Mary Powell Harpel—each of whom was touched by the creative influence of their iconic mother and distinguished fathers.

Born Martha Ellen Scott on September 22, 1912, in Jamesport, Missouri, she was raised in a Presbyterian household by her parents, Walter Scott, an engineer, and Letha McKinley Scott. The youngest of three siblings, Martha‘s early life in rural Missouri helped shape her grounded character and strong work ethic. She went on to study drama at the University of Michigan, graduating in 1934, which marked the beginning of her journey into theater and eventually to Broadway and film stardom.

Martha married twice. Her first husband, Carleton William Alsop, was a radio and film producer; they were married from 1940 to 1946 and had one son together, Carlton Scott Alsop (born 1942). In 1946, she married Mel Powell, a Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and jazz pianist. Together, they had two daughters: Kathleen Powell and Mary Powell Harpel. Martha remained married to Mel until his passing in 1998.

A woman of deep faith, Martha‘s Presbyterian beliefs played a central role in her life, guiding both her personal values and community involvement. Her passion for the arts, rooted in her education and early Midwestern upbringing, propelled her to stardom while never overshadowing her commitment to family.

Martha Scott passed away on May 28, 2003, leaving behind not only a rich body of work in theater and film but also a lasting personal legacy through her children. Each of them followed unique paths, influenced by the creativity and brilliance of both their parents.

Carlton Scott Alsop

Carlton Scott Alsop, often known simply as Scott Alsop, was born in February 1942 to acclaimed actress Martha Scott and her first husband, Carleton William Alsop, a radio and film producer.

His birth came during a pivotal time in Martha’s life, as her Academy Award-nominated role in Our Town (1940) had just launched her into stardom. The couple’s marriage lasted from 1940 to 1946, marking Scott’s first and only venture into motherhood before marrying again.

Raised amidst the backdrop of Hollywood and the entertainment industry, Scott witnessed both his mother’s rising fame and his father’s behind-the-scenes influence in media. Although he maintained a low public profile and little is known about his professional pursuits, Carlton Scott Alsop offered rare and meaningful insights into his mother’s artistic process.

He once revealed that Martha drew inspiration for her performance in Our Town from the peaceful cemetery in Jamesport, Missouri, where generations of her McKinley and Scott relatives were buried. In the play, she imagined those relatives as the Gibbs and Webb families, channeling the cemetery’s calm atmosphere to add emotional depth to her role.

This touching story highlights Martha Scott’s creative depth and the strong emotional connection between mother and son, with Scott entrusting such personal reflections to him.

Though Carlton Scott Alsop chose a more private life away from the limelight, his bond with his mother and his contributions to preserving her legacy remains significant. At the time of Martha Scott’s passing in 2003, he was recognized as one of her surviving children, alongside his half-sisters Kathleen Powell and Mary Powell Harpel.

Kathleen Powell

Kathleen Powell, affectionately known as Kati, is one of two daughters born to legendary actress Martha Scott and her second husband, Mel Powell—a Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, jazz pianist, and esteemed educator.

The couple shared a remarkable 52-year marriage, from 1946 until Mel’s passing in 1998, creating a home deeply rooted in artistic brilliance. Together with her sister Mary, Kathleen was raised in an environment where Broadway met bebop, and classical compositions echoed alongside Hollywood scripts.

Carving out her own creative identity, Kathleen Powell has been described as an actress, writer, and a woman of “generosity in spirit.” Her dedication to preserving her parents’ legacies is evident in both her storytelling and archival efforts.

In a 2013 interview with Jazz Lives conducted by Michael Steinman, Kathleen offered heartfelt reflections on her father’s storied career—recounting his evolution from Melvin Epstein, a jazz prodigy playing with Benny Goodman, to a renowned classical composer. As a gesture of appreciation, she gifted Steinman a treasured 78-rpm record from her father’s collection, underscoring her devotion to sharing his musical heritage.

Kathleen’s dynamic personality and deep artistic roots continue to shine through her recollections and creative endeavors. She has spoken fondly of her father’s encounters with cultural icons like Louis Armstrong and Babe Ruth, enriching the family’s narrative with charm and history.

Now based in New York, Kathleen remains closely connected to the world her parents helped shape, actively honoring their legacies in theater, music, and beyond.

Mary Powell Harpel

Mary Powell Harpel, the second daughter of Martha Scott and Mel Powell, has remained largely out of the public eye, suggesting a deliberate choice to lead a more private life.

Like her sister Kathleen, Mary was raised in a home where art, music, and creativity were at the heart of daily life. Her upbringing was shaped by the family’s relocations—from New Canaan, Connecticut, during Mel Powell’s tenure at Yale, to Los Angeles in 1969, when he became the founding dean of the School of Music at CalArts (California Institute of the Arts).

Though specific details about Mary’s personal or professional pursuits are limited, she was noted as one of Martha Scott’s surviving children in obituaries following her passing in 2003. At the time, Mary was residing in Los Angeles alongside her sister.

Her quiet presence in public records stands in contrast to her mother’s celebrated career and Kathleen’s more active engagement with their family’s artistic legacy, suggesting a personal privacy preference.

While much about Mary Powell Harpel remains respectfully private, her inclusion in the family’s story reflects her lasting place in a legacy shaped by creativity, intellect, and cultural impact.