May Whitty was an English-American actress who is best known for her roles in The Lady Vanishes, Mrs. Miniver, and Gaslight.
Personal and Family Life
Born Mary Louisa Whitty on June 19, 1865, in Liverpool, England, she was raised in a family connected to journalism. She married Ben Webster in 1892, with whom she had a daughter named Margaret Webster, who later became a playwright and actress. Whitty began her acting career on stage in London in 1882, quickly rising to the forefront of British theater.
Career Highlights
Whitty is notable for being an acclaimed stage actress before transitioning to film. She appeared in her first film in 1914 but didn’t enjoy the experience, leading her to focus mainly on stage performances. However, she eventually found success in Hollywood during the 1930s, where she often played regal and genteel roles, showcasing her versatility in various characters. She was the first actress to receive the title of Dame Commander of the British Empire for her contributions to theater and her support for troops during World War I.
Death and Legacy
May Whitty passed away on May 29, 1948, in Beverly Hills, California, due to cancer. At the time of her death, she had just completed filming The Sign of the Ram. Her legacy continues through her remarkable film and stage work, influencing future generations of actors and earning her recognition as a significant figure in cinema history.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The Lady Vanishes | 1938-10-07 | Miss Froy |
| Lassie Come Home | 1943-12-01 | Dally |
| Conquest | 1937-10-22 | Laetitia Bonaparte |
| Suspicion | 1941-11-14 | Mrs. McLaidlaw |
| Mrs. Miniver | 1942-07-03 | Lady Beldon |
| Gaslight | 1944-05-04 | Bessie Thwaites |
| My Name Is Julia Ross | 1945-11-08 | Mrs. Hughes |
| Madame Curie | 1943-12-16 | Madame Eugene Curie |
| This Time for Keeps | 1947-10-17 | Grandmother Cambaretti |
| The Sign of the Ram | 1948-03-03 | Clara Brastock |
| The White Cliffs of Dover | 1944-05-11 | Nanny |
| Devotion | 1946-04-05 | Lady Thornton |
| Crash Dive | 1943-04-22 | Grandmother |
| Night Must Fall | 1937-04-30 | Mrs. Bramson |
| The Constant Nymph | 1943-06-23 | Lady Constance Longborough |
| Thunder Birds | 1942-10-28 | Lady Jane Stackhouse |
| A Bill of Divorcement | 1940-05-31 | Aunt Hester Fairfield |
| Green Dolphin Street | 1947-01-15 | Mother Superior |
| Flesh and Fantasy | 1943-10-29 | Pamela Hardwick (segment 2) |
| If Winter Comes | 1947-12-31 | Mrs. Perch |
| Raffles | 1939-11-11 | Lady Melrose |
| The Thirteenth Chair | 1937-05-07 | Mme. Rosalie La Grange |
| Slightly Dangerous | 1943-04-01 | Baba |
| The Return of October | 1948-10-26 | Aunt Martha Grant |
| Return to Yesterday | 1940-03-09 | Mrs Emily Truscott |
| Forever and a Day | 1943-01-21 | Lucy Trimble |
| I Met My Love Again | 1938-01-14 | Aunt William |
| Stage Door Canteen | 1943-06-24 | Dame May Whitty |
| One Night In Lisbon | 1941-06-13 | Florence |
| Hedda Hopper’s Hollywood No. 6 | 1942-10-05 | |
| Keep Your Seats, Please | 1936-08-01 | Aunt Georgina Withers |
| The Little Minister | 1915-02-01 | Nanny Webster |
| Alfred Hitchcock Presents | 1955-10-02 | Miss Froy (archive footage) (uncredited) |