Elaine May

Elaine May (1932–Present, United States) is an American actress, comedian, screenwriter, and film director. She rose to fame in the 1950s and 1960s as half of the groundbreaking improvisational comedy duo Nichols and May with Mike Nichols, whose nightclub and Broadway performances influenced modern comedy. May later directed notable films including A New Leaf (1971) and Mikey and Nicky (1976), earning acclaim for her incisive writing and direction, while also appearing in supporting roles in films like The Birdcage (1996) and Small Time Crooks (2000).