Personal Info
Esther Dale
Elaine Iva May
Elaine Iva Berlin
Elaine May
Acting
Biography
Elaine Iva May (née Berlin; born April 21, 1932) is an American actress, comedian, writer, and director. She first gained fame in the 1950s for her improvisational comedy routines with Mike Nichols before transitioning her career, regularly breaking the mold as a writer and director of several critically acclaimed films. She has received numerous awards, including a BAFTA Award, a Grammy Award, and a Tony Award. She was honored with the National Medal of Arts from President Barack Obama in 2013, and an Honorary Academy Award in 2022.
In 1955, May moved to Chicago and became a founding member …
Known For
Filmography
Movies
The Same Storm
as Ruth Lipsman Berg
Small Time Crooks
as May
Nichols and May: Take Two
as Self (archive footage)
Wolf
as Operator (voice) (uncredited)
In the Spirit
as Marianne Flan
Calling the Shots
as Self (archive footage)
California Suite
as Millie Michaels
Mikey and Nicky
as Woman on TV (voice) (uncredited)
A New Leaf
as Henrietta Lowell
King: A Filmed Record... Montgomery to Memphis
as Self (archive footage)
TV Shows
Somebody Feed Phil
as Self · 1 ep.
The Good Fight
as Ruth Bader Ginsburg · 2 ep.
Crisis in Six Scenes
as Kay Munsinger · 6 ep.
American Masters
as Self · 1 ep.
The Merv Griffin Show
as Self · 1 ep.
The Big Party
as Self · 2 ep.
Tonight Starring Jack Paar
as Self · 1 ep.
DuPont Show of the Month
as Candy Carter · 1 ep.
The Steve Allen Show
as Self - Comedian · 2 ep.
The Dinah Shore Chevy Show
as Self · 3 ep.