Elaine May
Biography
Elaine Iva May, born Elaine Iva Berlin on April 21, 1932, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is an American actress, comedian, writer, and director. Known for her sardonic wit, caustic view of human nature, and uncompromising fearlessness, she first gained fame in the 1950s for improvisational comedy routines with Mike Nichols. In 1955, she moved to Chicago and became a founding member of the improvisational theater group the Compass Players, working alongside Nichols. Transitioning her career, she became a writer and director of critically acclaimed films. Her credits include acting work and involvement with films such as Absolvent, Omnibus, and Tootsie. She has received numerous awards throughout her career, including a BAFTA Award, a Grammy Award, and a Tony Award. President Barack Obama honored her with the National Medal of Arts in 2013, and she received an Honorary Academy Award in 2022.
Career overview
Elaine Iva May, born Elaine Iva Berlin on April 21, 1932, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is an American actress, comedian, writer, and director. Known for her sardonic wit, caustic view of human nature, and uncompromising fearlessness in all her work, she first gained fame in the 1950s for her improvisational comedy routines with Mike Nichols. In 1955, she moved to Chicago and became a founding member of the Compass Players, an improvisational theater group, where she began working alongside Nichols.
Transitioning her career, May regularly broke the mold as a writer and director of several critically acclaimed films. Her work is associated with films such as The Graduate, Omnibus, and Tootsie. Over the course of her career, she has received numerous awards, including a BAFTA Award, a Grammy Award, and a Tony Award.
Her contributions to the arts have been recognized through prominent honors. In 2013, she was honored with the National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama. She later received an Honorary Academy Award in 2022.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
49 titles- The Same Storm (2022) as Ruth Lipsman Berg
- Somebody Feed Phil (2018) as Self
- The Good Fight (2017) as Ruth Bader Ginsburg
- Crisis in Six Scenes (2016) as Kay Munsinger
- Mike Nichols: An American Master (2016) Director
- Down to Earth (2001) Original Film Writer
- Small Time Crooks (2000) as May
- Primary Colors (1998) Screenplay
- The Birdcage (1996) Screenplay
- Nichols and May: Take Two (1996) as Self (archive footage)
- Wolf (1994) as Operator (voice) (uncredited)
- Wolf (1994) Additional Writing
- In the Spirit (1990) as Marianne Flan
- Calling the Shots (1988) as Self (archive footage)
- Ishtar (1987) Director
- Ishtar (1987) Writer
- Ishtar (1987) Songs
- American Masters (1986) as Self
- American Masters (1986) Director
- Tootsie (1982) Additional Writing
- Reds (1981) Additional Writing
- Heaven Can Wait (1978) Screenplay
- California Suite (1978) as Millie Michaels
- Mikey and Nicky (1976) as Woman on TV (voice) (uncredited)
- Mikey and Nicky (1976) Director
- Mikey and Nicky (1976) Writer
- The Heartbreak Kid (1972) Director
- A New Leaf (1971) as Henrietta Lowell
- A New Leaf (1971) Director
- A New Leaf (1971) Writer
- Such Good Friends (1971) Screenplay
- King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis (1970) as Self (archive footage)
- All the Difference (1970) as (voice)
- The Graduate (1967) as Girl with Note for Benjamin (uncredited)
- Luv (1967) as Ellen Manville
- Enter Laughing (1967) as Angela Marlowe
- Bach to Bach (1967) as A Woman (voice)
- Bach to Bach (1967) Writer
- The Merv Griffin Show (1962) as Self
- The Fabulous Fifties (1960) as Self
- The Big Party (1959) as Self
- Tonight Starring Jack Paar (1957) as Self
- DuPont Show of the Month (1957) as Candy Carter
- The Steve Allen Show (1956) as Self - Comedian
- The Dinah Shore Chevy Show (1956) as Self
- Omnibus (1952)
- What's My Line? (1950) as Self - Mystery Guest
- Crackpot Director
- Crackpot Writer
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Elaine May best known for?
Elaine May is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including The Good Fight (2017), Down to Earth (2001), Small Time Crooks (2000), Primary Colors (1998).
When and where was Elaine May born?
Elaine May was born on April 21, 1932 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
How many credits does Elaine May have?
Elaine May has accumulated over 49 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1950 to 2022.
What is Elaine May's background in cinema and television?
Elaine Iva May, born Elaine Iva Berlin on April 21, 1932, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is an American actress, comedian, writer, and director. Known for her sardonic wit, caustic view of human nature, and uncompromising fearlessness, she first gained fame in the 1950s for improvisational comedy routines with Mike Nic...
Elaine May by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Good Fight (2017) as Ruth Bader Ginsburg — aged about 85
- The Graduate (1967) as Girl with Note for Benjamin (uncredited) — aged about 35
- Tonight Starring Jack Paar (1957) as Self — aged about 25
- DuPont Show of the Month (1957) as Candy Carter — aged about 25
- A New Leaf (1971) as Henrietta Lowell — aged about 39
- King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis (1970) as Self (archive footage) — aged about 38
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