Elaine May (b.1932,) originally Elaine Iva Berlin, is an American actress, comedian, writer, and director celebrated for her sharp wit, improvisational genius, and groundbreaking contributions to film and theater. She gained fame in the 1950s as part of Nichols and May, alongside Mike Nichols, revolutionizing improv comedy.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, May moved to Chicago, co-founding the Compass Players, an influential improv theater group. She and Nichols later formed their own act, performing in Greenwich Village clubs, Broadway shows, and television specials. Their album An Evening with Mike Nichols and Elaine May (1960) won a Grammy for Best Comedy Album. In 2019, May won a Tony for Best Actress in The Waverly Gallery, marking a triumphant Broadway return.
May transitioned to filmmaking, directing A New Leaf (1971,) The Heartbreak Kid (1972,) Mikey and Nicky (1976,) and Ishtar (1987.) She became a sought-after screenwriter, earning Academy Award nominations for Heaven Can Wait (1978) and Primary Colors (1998.) Her script for The Birdcage (1996) won a BAFTA for Best Adapted Screenplay.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Elaine May
The only thing experience teaches you is what you can’t do. When you start, you think you can do anything. And then you start to get a little tired.
—Elaine May
Topics: Determination
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