History Creator / ElaineMay

In addition to her role in her own film ''A New Leaf'' noted above, May has acted in a handful of films, including a bit part in ''Film/TheGraduate'' and starring roles in the films ''Film/SmallTimeCrooks'' and ''Film/CaliforniaSuite''. Appearing on Broadway in the play ''The Waverly Gallery'' in 2018, she received universal praise, and at age 87 won a [[MediaNotes/TonyAwardWinners Tony Award]] for Best Actress in a Play. Her chaotic filmmaking career received the ultimate VindicatedByHistory honor when it was announced in 2021 that she would receive an [[UsefulNotes/AcademyAward honorary Oscar]]. She's also a UsefulNotes/GrammyAward winner: ''An Evening with Mike Nichols and Elaine May'' won for Best Comedy album in 1962.

Her next film, ''Film/{{The Heartbreak Kid|1972}}'' (1972), was written by Creator/NeilSimon and gave Creator/CharlesGrodin his first starring film role. A critical favorite (even earning a couple UsefulNotes/AcademyAward nominations), it has long been considered a comedy classic and was remade [[Film/TheHeartbreakKid2007 in 2007]].

In addition to her role in her own film ''A New Leaf'' noted above, May has acted in a handful of films, including a bit part in ''Film/TheGraduate'' and starring roles in the films ''Film/SmallTimeCrooks'' and ''Film/CaliforniaSuite''. Appearing on Broadway in the play ''The Waverly Gallery'' in 2018, she received universal praise, and at age 87 won a [[UsefulNotes/TonyAwardWinners Tony Award]] for Best Actress in a Play. Her chaotic filmmaking career received the ultimate VindicatedByHistory honor when it was announced in 2021 that she would receive an [[UsefulNotes/AcademyAward honorary Oscar]]. She's also a UsefulNotes/GrammyAward winner: ''An Evening with Mike Nichols and Elaine May'' won for Best Comedy album in 1962.

Her next film, ''Film/{{The Heartbreak Kid|1972}}'' (1972), was written by Creator/NeilSimon and gave Charles Grodin his first starring film role. A critical favorite (even earning a couple UsefulNotes/AcademyAward nominations), it has long been considered a comedy classic and was remade [[Film/TheHeartbreakKid2007 in 2007]].

[[quoteright:280:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/elaine_may.jpg]]

Elaine May (born Elaine Iva Berlin; April 21, 1932 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is an American actress, writer and filmmaker from UsefulNotes/{{Philadelphia}}. Her earliest fame came in the late 1950s, as half of the improvisational comedy team Nichols and May, with partner Creator/MikeNichols.

In addition to her role in her own film ''A New Leaf'' noted above, May has acted in a handful of films, including a bit part in ''Film/TheGraduate'' and starring roles in the films ''Film/SmallTimeCrooks'' and ''Film/CaliforniaSuite''. Appearing on Broadway in the play ''The Waverly Gallery'' in 2018, she received universal praise, and at age 87 won a [[UsefulNotes/TonyAwardWinners Tony Award]] for Best Actress in a Play. Her chaotic filmmaking career received the ultimate VindicatedByHistory honor when it was announced in 2021 that she would receive an [[UsefulNotes/AcademyAward honorary Oscar]]. She's also a UsefulNotes/GrammyAward winner; ''An Evening with Mike Nichols and Elaine May'' won for Best Comedy album in 1962.

In addition to her role in her own film ''A New Leaf'' noted above, May has acted in a handful of films, including a bit part in ''Film/TheGraduate'' and starring roles in the films ''Film/SmallTimeCrooks'' and ''Film/CaliforniaSuite''. Appearing on Broadway in the play ''The Waverly Gallery'' in 2018, she received universal praise, and at age 87 won a [[UsefulNotes/TonyAwardWinners Tony Award]] for Best Actress in a Play.

In addition to her own directorial efforts, May has written or co-written the screenplays for such films as Beatty's ''Film/{{Heaven Can Wait|1978}}'' (1978) and Nichols' ''Film/TheBirdcage'' (1996) and ''Film/PrimaryColors'' (1998), and has appeared as a comedic actress in a number of other films. She remains an active writer and actress. Appearing on Broadway in the play ''The Waverly Gallery'' in 2018, she received universal praise, and at age 87 won a [[UsefulNotes/TonyAwardWinners Tony Award]] for Best Actress in a Play.

It was followed by ''Film/MikeyAndNicky'' (1976), a mob-themed drama starring Creator/JohnCassavetes and [[{{Series/Columbo}} Peter Falk]]. Once again May faced ExecutiveMeddling, resulting in legal action between her and the studio, which [[TheShelfOfMovieLanguishment delayed the film's release by several years]].

Elaine May (born Elaine Iva Berlin; April 21, 1932) is an American actress, writer and filmmaker from UsefulNotes/{{Philadelphia}}. Her earliest fame came in the late 1950s, as half of the improvisational comedy team Nichols and May, with partner Creator/MikeNichols.

In addition to her own directorial efforts, May has written or co-written the screenplays for such films as Beatty's ''Film/{{Heaven Can Wait|1978}}'' (1978) and Nichols' ''Film/TheBirdcage'' (1996) and ''Film/PrimaryColors'' (1998), and has appeared as a comedic actress in a number of other films. She remains an active writer.

In addition to her own directorial efforts, May has written or co-written the screenplays for such films as Beatty's ''Film/{{Heaven Can Wait|1978}}'' (1978) and Nichols' ''Film/TheBirdcage'' (1996) and ''Film/PrimaryColors'' (1997), and has appeared as a comedic actress in a number of other films. She remains an active writer.

It was followed by ''Mikey and Nicky'' (1976), a mob-themed drama starring Creator/JohnCassavetes and [[{{Series/Columbo}} Peter Falk]]. Once again May faced ExecutiveMeddling, resulting in legal action between her and the studio, which [[TheShelfOfMovieLanguishment delayed the film's release by several years]].

Her next film, ''Film/{{The Heartbreak Kid|1972}}'' (1972), was written by Creator/NeilSimon and gave Charles Grodin his first starring film role. A critical favorite (even earning a couple Oscar nominations), it has long been considered a comedy classic and was remade [[Film/TheHeartbreakKid2007 in 2007]].

May remains an active writer.

[[quoteright:220:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/elainemay_6852.jpg]]

Elaine May (born Elaine Iva Berlin in UsefulNotes/{{Philadelphia}}, PA, April 21, 1932) is an American actress, writer and filmmaker. Her earliest fame came in the late 1950s, as half of the improvisational comedy team Nichols and May, with partner Creator/MikeNichols.

Her next film, ''Film/TheHeartbreakKid1972'', was written by Creator/NeilSimon and gave Charles Grodin his first starring film role. A critical favorite (even earning a couple Oscar nominations), it has long been considered a comedy classic and was remade [[Film/TheHeartbreakKid2007 in 2007]].

It was followed by ''Mikey and Nicky'', a mob-themed drama with Creator/JohnCassavetes and [[{{Series/Columbo}} Peter Falk]]. Once again May faced ExecutiveMeddling, resulting in legal action between her and the studio, which [[TheShelfOfMovieLanguishment delayed the film's release by several years]].

Her last film as writer and director, ''{{Film/Ishtar}}'', was released in 1987 and was widely panned by critics and audiences. However, the film has gained in esteem over the years, and is frequently cited as a favorite of directors such as Creator/MartinScorsese and Creator/QuentinTarantino.

Her next film ''Film/TheHeartbreakKid1972'', was written by Creator/NeilSimon and gave Charles Grodin his first starring film role. A critical favorite (even earning a couple Oscar nominations), it has long been considered a comedy classic and was remade [[Film/TheHeartbreakKid2007 in 2007]].

Her next film ''Film/TheHeartbreakKid1972'' (written by Neil Simon) gave Charles Grodin his first starring film role. A critical favorite (even earning a couple Oscar nominations), it has long been considered a comedy classic and was remade [[Film/TheHeartbreakKid2007 in 2007]].

In 1971, she wrote and directed her first film, ''Film/ANewLeaf'', in which she also starred along with Creator/WalterMatthau. The original 3 hour cut of the film was [[ExecutiveMeddling heavily edited by the studio]], which caused May to disclaim the final version of the film.

Her next film ''Film/TheHeartbreakKid1972'' (written by Neil Simon) gave Charles Grodin his first starring film role. A critical favorite (even earning a couple Oscar nominations), it has long been considered a comedy classic and was remade [[TheHeartbreakKid2007 in 2007]].

Elaine May (born Elaine Iva Berlin in UsefulNotes/{{Philadelphia}}, PA, 1932) is an American actress, writer and filmmaker. Her earliest fame came in the late 1950s, as half of the improvisational comedy team Nichols and May, with partner Creator/MikeNichols.

Her next film ''TheHeartbreakKid1972'' (written by Neil Simon) gave Charles Grodin his first starring film role. A critical favorite (even earning a couple Oscar nominations), it has long been considered a comedy classic and was remade [[TheHeartbreakKid2007 in 2007]].

In 1971, she wrote and directed her first film, ''Film/ANewLeaf'', in which she also starred along with WalterMatthau. The original 3 hour cut of the film was [[ExecutiveMeddling heavily edited by the studio]], which caused May to disclaim the final version of the film.

Elaine May (born Elaine Iva Berlin in Philadelphia, PA, 1932) is an American actress, writer and filmmaker. Her earliest fame came in the late 1950s, as half of the improvisational comedy team Nichols and May, with partner MikeNichols.

Her last film as writer and director, ''{{Film/Ishtar}}'', was released in 1987 and was widely panned by critics and audiences. However, the film has gained in esteem over the years, and is frequently cited as a favorite of directors such as MartinScorsese and QuentinTarantino.

[[caption-width-right:220:Elaine May]]

May remains an active writer.

Her last film as writer and director, ''{{Film/Ishtar}}'', was released in 1987 and was widely panned by critics and audiences. However, the film has gained in esteem over the years, and is frequently cited as a favorite of directors such as MartinScorcese and QuentinTarantino.