Elaine May

Elaine May (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).

In 1971, May directed, wrote and starred in A New Leaf, becoming the first woman to do all three in a Hollywood movie. 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. She won the 2019 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play, becoming the second oldest performer to win a Tony Award for acting.

In 2021, it was announced that May will be honored with the Honorary Academy Award.