May Whitty
Actress

May Whitty Net Worth

May Whitty was a British stage and film actress born in 1865 in Liverpool, Merseyside, England. She began her career in 1882 and went on to become one of the leading British stage actresses. She appeared in her first film, Enoch Arden (1914), in Great Britain and went on to appear in a few silent films. For her service to the arts and performing for the troops during World War I, she was named Dame Commander of the British Empire by King George. She later moved to Hollywood and was usually cast in high-born roles, such as Mrs. Bramson in Night Must Fall (1937) and Miss Froy in The Lady Vanishes (1938). She also won the National Board of Review best acting award for the 1937 film, Night Must Fall (1937) and was nominated for two Oscars. She married London producer Ben Webster in 1892 and had a daughter, Margaret Webster, who became a playwright and actress. Whitty died at the age of 82 from cancer in Beverly Hills, shortly after completing her scenes in the film The Sign of the Ram (1948).
May Whitty is a member of Actress

Age, Biography and Wiki

Who is it? Actress
Birth Day June 19, 1865
Birth Place  Liverpool, Merseyside, England, United Kingdom
Age 154 YEARS OLD
Died On 29 May 1948(1948-05-29) (aged 82)\nBeverly Hills, California, US
Birth Sign Cancer
Occupation Actress
Years active 1881–1948
Spouse(s) Ben Webster (m. 1892; his death 1947)
Children 2
Relatives Margaret Webster (daughter)

💰 Net worth

May Whitty's net worth is estimated to be between $100K and $1M in 2024. Born in 1865, May Whitty was a prominent British actress known for her remarkable contributions to the entertainment industry. Having established herself as a versatile talent, she gained recognition for her performances in both stage and film productions. Whitty's illustrious career spanned over six decades and earned her numerous accolades, including an Academy Award nomination. With her undeniable talent and lasting legacy, May Whitty remains an iconic figure in the history of British acting.

Biography/Timeline

1837

Born in Liverpool, Lancashire, England, to william Alfred Whitty (ca. 1837–1876) and Mary Louisa (née Ashton, ca. 1837–1894), she made her first stage appearance in Liverpool in 1881, later moving to London to appear in the West End.

1892

She married actor-manager Ben Webster in 1892 in St Giles's Parish Church, London, and in 1895 they visited the United States, where Whitty appeared on Broadway. Their first child, a son, died at birth. Their only surviving child, a daughter born in the USA in 1905, Margaret Webster, was a stage Actress and held dual US/UK citizenship. Whitty's stage career continued for the rest of her life. In March 1910, she made her transition to middle-aged and elderly character roles, playing Amelia Madras in Harley Granville-Barker's four-act comedy The Madras House. In March 1922, she played the role of Mrs. Bennet before the Queen in a benefit performance of Pride and Prejudice. She acted opposite her husband, who performed its Mr. Darcy.

1918

In the 1918 New Year Honours, she was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE, gazetted under her legal married name Mary Louise Webster) in recognition of her charitable work during the First World War. She was the first film and stage Actress to receive a damehood, along with the opera singer Nellie Melba, who was also thus honoured in 1918.

1937

She made her first major Hollywood film appearance recreating her stage role in the film Night Must Fall (1937), which also starred Robert Montgomery and Rosalind Russell, and received a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. This led to several supporting roles in films, including that of the vanishing lady, Miss Froy, in Alfred Hitchcock's The Lady Vanishes (1938).

1939

She moved permanently to the USA (although she never became a US citizen) in 1939 and appeared both on stage and in Hollywood films, usually playing wealthy dowagers. It was one such part, as Lady Beldon in Mrs. Miniver (1942), that brought her a second Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Some May Whitty images

About the author

Lisa Scholfield

As a Senior Writer at Famous Net Worth, I spearhead an exceptional team dedicated to uncovering and sharing the stories of pioneering individuals. My passion for unearthing untold narratives drives me to delve deep into the essence of each subject, bringing forth a unique blend of factual accuracy and narrative allure. In orchestrating the editorial workflow, I am deeply involved in every step—from initial research to the final touches of publishing, ensuring each biography not only informs but also engages and inspires our readership.