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Elaine May Biography

Birth Name:Elaine Iva Berlin

Birth Place:Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Profession Actress, Writer, Script department, Director, Soundtrack, Music department

Fast Facts

  • Won a Lifetime Achievement Award in Comedy at the 1994 American Comedy Awards
  • Toured with her father's traveling Yiddish theater company, appearing on stage as early as the age of three
  • Broke from the stereotypical roles previously available to female comics, often portraying doctors, psychiatrists or employers
  • Known for performing improvisational comedy routines with Mike Nichols in the 1950s
  • Enjoyed reading fairy tales and mythology as a child
  • Would sit in on classes at the University of Chicago, sometimes engaging in dialogue with the professors though she was not enrolled there

Awards

  • 1972Golden Globe-Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical: nominated
  • 1972WGA Award (Screen)-Best Comedy Adapted from Another Medium: nominated
  • 1979Oscar-Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium: nominated
  • 1979Saturn Award-Best Writing: winner
  • 1979WGA Award (Screen)-Best Comedy Adapted from Another Medium: winner
  • 1988Razzie Award-Worst Screenplay: nominated
  • 1988Razzie Award-Worst Director: winner
  • 1996ACCA-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 1997WGA Award (Screen)-Best Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published: nominated
  • 1998ACCA-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 1999Oscar-Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published: nominated
  • 1999BAFTA Film Award-Best Screenplay - Adapted: winner
  • 1999OFTA Film Award-Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium: nominated
  • 1999OFCS Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 1999SEFCA Award-Best Adapted Screenplay: nominated
  • 1999USC Scripter Award-: nominated
  • 1999WGA Award (Screen)-Best Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published: nominated
  • 2001Chlotrudis Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated
  • 2001NSFC Award-Best Supporting Actress: winner
  • 2001OFCS Award-Best Supporting Actress: nominated