During the 1960s and 1970s, Carter pursued an acting career, mostly appearing in B-movies and guest roles on television. She used several names for her credits; among them were Sally Carter, Sally Carter Hunt, Sally Carter Ihnat, and Sally Ihnat.[citation needed]
She was married to Steve Ihnat, a character actor best known for playing Fleet Captain Garth of Izar in the Star Trek episode "Whom Gods Destroy". They had two children. Steve Ihnat died in 1972 of a heart attack on Marya's 30th birthday. She was subsequently married to the game show host Peter Marshall, divorcing in 1983.