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Elaine May

1932-present · Chicago, IL / New York, NY

Also known as Elaine Iva Berlin

Compass Players alumna, half of Nichols and May, and groundbreaking director-screenwriter (A New Leaf, The Heartbreak Kid, Ishtar) whose improvisational sensibility shaped American comedy writing.

Known for

Joined the Compass Players in 1955; Paul Sills introduced her to Nichols saying 'he is the only other person on campus as hostile as you are.'
Nichols and May's three comedy albums reached the Billboard Top 40 (1959-1962).
Wrote and directed The Heartbreak Kid (1972), Mikey and Nicky (1976), Ishtar (1987).
Won a Tony Award for The Waverly Gallery in 2019.

Connected to

People

Mike Nichols Paul Sills

Troupes

The Compass Players Nichols and May

Sources

Referenced by

People

Mike Nichols Shelley Berman

Troupes

Nichols and May The Compass Players

Schools & Theaters

The Compass Players

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