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Born in Liverpool, England. The daughter of a newspaper (the Liverpool Post) editor, she made her debut in ballet at 16 and on the London stage at 17 and by the turn of the century was a highly respected actress in theaters on both sides of the Atlantic. In 1918 she was created Dame Commander of the British Empire for her services to Britain during WW I. In addition to making numerous stage appearances, she appeared occasionally in silent films, including a supporting role in Christy Cabanne's ENOCH ARDEN (1915). After a string of Broadway successes in the early 30s, she settled in Hollywood, where she became a symbol of British dignity in a series of distinguished character roles for MGM and other studios. She was nominated for an Oscar for her outstanding performance in the role of a terrified old lady in her very first sound film, NIGHT MUST FALL (1937), and again for MRS. MINIVER (1942). Among her other memorable parts was the title role in Hitchcock's British-made suspense film THE LADY VANISHES (1938).
Her husband (1892-1947) was stage and film actor Ben Webster (1864-1947), and her daughter was stage actress-director-producer-playwright Margaret Webster (1905-1972). A memorable quote from Dame May: "I've got everything Betty Grable has -- only I've had it longer." Nominated for Supporting Actress 1937: NIGHT MUST FALL
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