# Elaine May

> American screenwriter, film director, actress, and comedian (b. 1932)

**Wikidata**: [Q454156](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q454156)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elaine_May)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/elaine-may

## Summary
Elaine May is an American screenwriter, film director, actress, and comedian born in 1932. She is widely recognized for her multifaceted contributions to the entertainment industry, including her work on the 1976 film *Mikey and Nicky*. Her career, which began in 1955, encompasses a diverse range of roles in film, theater, and television.

## Biography
- **Born:** April 21, 1932
- **Nationality:** American
- **Education:** University of Chicago, University of Pittsburgh
- **Known for:** Work as a screenwriter, film director, actress, and comedian
- **Employer(s):** The Compass Players, Second City
- **Field(s):** Entertainment, Film, Theater

## Contributions
Elaine May has contributed significantly to the arts through her work in performance and production. Her most notable credited directorial work is the 1976 film *Mikey and Nicky*. As a performer and creator, she was a member of The Compass Players and part of the Second City comedy troupe, contributing to the development of improvisational theater. Her body of work has been recognized with numerous awards, including a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album and multiple National Society of Film Critics Awards for both acting and screenwriting.

## FAQs
**When was Elaine May born?**
Elaine May was born on April 21, 1932.

**What are some of the films Elaine May is known for?**
She is known for directing and writing the 1976 film *Mikey and Nicky*.

**Which comedy troupes was Elaine May associated with?**
She was a member of The Compass Players and was part of Second City.

**What awards has Elaine May won?**
She has won a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album, a National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay, a BAFTA Award, a Writers Guild of America Award, a National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress, a Gotham Award, and a National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress.

**Where did Elaine May receive her education?**
She attended the University of Chicago and the University of Pittsburgh.

## Why They Matter
Elaine May matters for her enduring influence across multiple disciplines in American entertainment, spanning from the mid-1950s onward. Her involvement with foundational improvisational groups like The Compass Players and Second City helped shape the landscape of modern comedy. Her critical acclaim, evidenced by awards from the National Society of Film Critics, the Writers Guild of America, and the BAFTAs, highlights her versatility and skill as both a creative writer and a performer.

## Notable For
- **Awards:** Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album, National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay, BAFTA Award, Writers Guild of America Award, National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress, Gotham Award, National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress.
- **Occupations:** Screenwriter, film director, actress, comedian, playwright, film producer, stage actress, television actor, film editor, theatrical director.
- **Key Work:** Director of the 1976 film *Mikey and Nicky*.
- **Affiliations:** Member of The Compass Players; part of Second City.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Elaine May was born on April 21, 1932. She is also known by the aliases Elaine Iva May and Elaine Berlin. Her educational background includes studies at the University of Chicago and the University of Pittsburgh.

### Career Overview
May's professional work period began in 1955. Throughout her career, she has held a wide array of roles in the entertainment industry. Her occupations include screenwriter, film director, actress, comedian, playwright, film producer, stage actress, television actor, film editor, and theatrical director.

### Affiliations and Groups
A significant part of her career involved her membership in influential comedy groups. She was a member of The Compass Players and was also part of Second City. These affiliations place her within the foundational history of improvisational comedy.

### Filmography and Projects
One of the specific projects attributed to Elaine May in the source material is the film *Mikey and Nicky*, which she directed in 1976. This work remains a notable part of her filmography.

### Awards and Recognition
Elaine May has received extensive recognition for her work. Her accolades include:
*   **Grammy Award for Best Comedy Album**
*   **National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Screenplay**
*   **BAFTA Award**
*   **Writers Guild of America Award**
*   **National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Supporting Actress**
*   **Gotham Award**
*   **National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress**

These awards reflect her success across different mediums, including audio comedy, film writing, and acting performance.

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Museum of Modern Art online collection
3. Integrated Authority File
4. datos.bne.es
5. Deutsche Synchronkartei
6. www.acmi.net.au
7. [Source](http://razzies.com/asp/content/XcNewsPlus.asp?cmd=view&articleid=27)
8. [Source](https://deadline.com/2021/06/oscars-governors-awards-danny-glover-samuel-l-jackson-elaine-may-liv-ullmann-1234780702/)
9. International Standard Name Identifier
10. MusicBrainz
11. IMDb
12. SNAC
13. Internet Broadway Database
14. Discogs
15. FemBio database
16. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
17. Virtual International Authority File
18. [Source](https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1979)
19. CONOR.SI
20. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File
21. Virtual Study of Theatre Institute
22. Cinemathèque québécoise Linked Open Data
23. The Movie Database