Donald May was an American actor who is best known for his roles in The Edge of Night, The Roaring 20’s, and Falcon Crest. He had a successful career spanning several decades in both television and film.
Personal and Family Life
Donald Adam May was born on February 22, 1927, in Chicago, Illinois. He had a total of four siblings and was the son of Harry Stuart May, a Texan oil businessman, and Leontine Frances Torczynski. He graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1949 with a Bachelor of Arts degree. Donald was married twice; first to Ellen Cameron from 1951 to 1984, with whom he had two children, and later to Carla Borelli until his death.
Career Highlights
May began his acting career in a stock theater company and later served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. He returned to acting in New York, where he landed the role of a cadet in the CBS series West Point in 1956. He is most remembered for his long-running role as District Attorney Adam Drake in the soap opera The Edge of Night, appearing in 2840 episodes over ten years. He also had notable roles in The Roaring 20’s and later in Falcon Crest and Texas.
Death and Legacy
Donald May passed away on January 28, 2022, in Kent, New York, after battling cancer of the larynx. He left behind a legacy of diverse performances in both drama and comedy. His contribution to the soap opera genre took root in the hearts of many fans, ensuring his role in television history will be remembered.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Follow Me, Boys! | 1966-12-01 | Edward White, Jr. |
| Bogie | 1980-03-04 | Pat O’Moore |
| The Crowded Sky | 1960-09-02 | Norm Coster |
| Kisses for My President | 1964-08-21 | Secret Service Agent John O’Connor |
| A Tiger Walks | 1964-04-12 | Capt. Anderson |
| The Wrong Man | 1956-12-22 | Arresting Patrolman (uncredited) |
| Police Story: Confessions of a Lady Cop | 1980-04-28 | George Merrick |
| Deadlock | 1967-05-17 | Det. Jim Lassiter |
| The Tenderfoot | 1964-11-08 | Thatcher |
| 77 Sunset Strip | 1958-10-10 | |
| The Facts of Life | 1979-08-24 | |
| The F.B.I. | 1965-09-19 | Frederick Brown |
| Hawaiian Eye | 1959-10-07 | |
| The Edge of Night | 1956-04-02 | |
| Working Stiffs | 1979-09-15 | |
| The Roaring 20’s | 1960-10-15 | |
| Falcon Crest | 1981-12-04 | |
| L.A. Law | 1986-09-15 | Andrew Laraby |
| Quincy, M.E. | 1976-10-03 | |
| Surfside 6 | 1960-10-06 | |
| Texas | 1980-08-04 | |
| Combat! | 1962-10-02 | Maj. Thompson |
| Bus Stop | 1961-10-01 | |
| Police Story | 1973-03-20 | |
| West Point | 1956-10-05 | |
| Sugarfoot | 1957-09-17 | Luke Condon |
| The F.B.I. | 1965-09-19 | S.R.A. Grant Bates |
| Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre | 1963-10-04 | Det. Jim Lassiter |
| 77 Sunset Strip | 1958-10-10 | Tip Lanahan |
| Cheyenne | 1955-09-20 | Fred Baker / Randy Pierce |