Elaine May

Elaine Iva May (née Berlin; born April 21, 1932) is an American screenwriter, movie director, actress and comedian. She was known for being in an improvisational comedy with Mike Nichols called Nichols and May. She has been nominated twice for an Academy Award, for Heaven Can Wait (1978) and Primary Colors (1998).

Elaine May
May performing in 1959
Born	Elaine Iva Berlin (1932-04-21) April 21, 1932 (age 93) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Other names	Esther Dale, Elly May
Occupations	Actress comedian playwright screenwriter film director
Years active	1955–present
Spouses	Marvin Irving May ​ ​ (m. 1948; div. 1960)​ Sheldon Harnick ​ ​ (m. 1962; div. 1963)​ David L. Rubinfine ​ ​ (m. 1963; died 1982)​
Partner	Stanley Donen (1999–2019; his death)
Children	Jeannie Berlin
Signature

In 1971, May directed, wrote and starred in A New Leaf, becoming the first woman to do all three in a Hollywood movie.^[1][2] She would later become known for directing the comedy The Heartbreak Kid (1972).

In 2013, May was honored with the National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama. In 2018, May returned to the Broadway stage in Lila Neugebauer's version of Kenneth Lonergan's play The Waverly Gallery.^[3] She won the 2019 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play,^[4][5] becoming the second oldest performer to win a Tony Award for acting.^[6]

In 2022, May was honored with the Honorary Academy Award.^[7]