May Allison was an American actress who is best known for her roles in “A Fool There Was,” “David Harum,” and “The City.” She was a prominent leading lady during the silent film era.
Personal and Family Life
May Allison was born on June 14, 1890, in Rising Fawn, Georgia, as the youngest of five children. Her parents were Dr. John S. Allison and Nannie Virginia Wise. She lived with her mother in California until her mother’s passing. After the death of her first husband, James R. Quirk, she married Carl Norton Osborne, with whom she spent over 40 years until he died in 1982. They enjoyed a home in Tucker’s Town, Bermuda, for many years and were patrons of the Cleveland Symphony.
Death and Legacy
May Allison passed away on March 27, 1989, in Bratenahl, Ohio, due to respiratory failure. She is remembered as a significant figure of silent cinema, having starred in numerous films in the early 20th century. After her husband’s death, she took charge as the editor of “Photoplay” Magazine, highlighting her enduring influence in the film industry.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| A Fool There Was | 1915-01-12 | The Wife’s Sister |
| The City | 1926-11-14 | Elinor Voorhees |
| Men of Steel | 1926-07-11 | Clare Pitt |
| David Harum | 1915-02-22 | Mary Blake |
| The Greater Glory | 1926-05-02 | Corinne |
| Youth for Sale | 1924-04-01 | Molly |
| One Increasing Purpose | 1927-01-02 | Linda Travers Paris |
| Are All Men Alike? | 1920-11-08 | Teddy Hayden |
| Social Hypocrites | 1918-04-06 | Leonore Fielding |
| The Telephone Girl | 1927-03-26 | Grace Robinson |
| The River of Romance | 1916-07-17 | |
| The Promise | 1917-02-19 | Ethel Manton |
| The Last Card | 1921-05-23 | Elsie Kirkwood |
| The Cheater | 1920-06-07 | Lilly Meany, aka Vashti Dethic |
| Mismates | 1926-07-26 | Belle |
| The Walk-Offs | 1920-02-01 | Kathleen Rutherford |
| Flapper Wives | 1924-02-23 | |
| Pidgin Island | 1916-12-25 | Diana Wynne |
| Extravagance | 1921-03-07 | Nancy Vane |
| Fair and Warmer |