Elaine May

Elaine May is a comedian, actress, playwright, screenwriter, and film director recognized for her contributions to American entertainment, particularly in comedy and cinema. May is credited as a pioneer of improvisational comedy, having been a member of the Chicago comedy troupe Compass Theater, which preceded Second City. She began collaborating with Mike Nichols, and together they left the Compass Players to form the stage act Nichols and May. Over four years, they appeared on television, radio, and stage, culminating in "An Evening with Mike Nichols and Elaine May" on Broadway. Nichols and May released several comedy albums and received four Grammy Award nominations, winning Best Comedy Album for "An Evening with Mike Nichols and Elaine May." Their work influenced comedians including Steve Martin, Lily Tomlin, Robin Williams, and Billy Crystal.

May became one of Hollywood's prominent female directors, directing the black screwball comedy "A New Leaf," the dark romantic comedy "The Heartbreak Kid," the gangster film "Mikey and Nicky," and the adventure comedy "Ishtar." She brought improvisational techniques to her directing, encouraging actors to experiment with material. While "Ishtar" was initially a commercial disappointment, it has since been recognized by filmmakers such as Peter Bogdanovich and Martin Scorsese.

As a screenwriter, May received two Academy Award nominations for Best Adapted Screenplay for "Heaven Can Wait" and "Primary Colors," the latter earning her the BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. She also co-wrote "Tootsie" and contributed to the screenplay for "The Birdcage."

May received a Tony Award for her performance as Gladys in Kenneth Lonergan's "The Waverly Gallery" on Broadway, marking her return to the stage after several decades. Her portrayal of a woman experiencing dementia earned her the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play.

May has been honored with the National Medal of Arts and an Honorary Academy Award. She also received the Laurel Award for Screenwriting Achievement. May is recognized as a foundational figure in modern American comedy and as a trailblazer among female directors, known for her distinctive creative vision and influence on improvisational and sketch-based comedy.