May McAvoy
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia May McAvoy (September 8, 1899 – April 26, 1984) was an American actress who worked mainly during the silent film era. Some of her major roles are Laura Pennington in The Enchanted Cottage, Esther in Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, and Mary Dale in The Jazz Singer. McAvoy appeared in her first film, entitled Hate, in 1917. After appearing in more than three dozen films, she co-starred with Ramón Novarro and Francis X. Bushman in director Fred Niblo's 1925 production of Ben-Hur, released by MGM. The feature-length film was one of the most lavish and spectacular productions of the silent movie era. Although her voice was not heard in The Jazz Singer, McAvoy did speak in several other films, including the second "all-talkie" released by Warner Brothers, The Terror, which was directed by Roy Del Ruth and co-starred Conrad Nagel. For years a rumor circulated that McAvoy retired from the screen at the transition to sound films because of a lisp or speech impediment. In truth, she married the treasurer of United Artists, who asked her not to work. Later, she returned to films and played small roles during the 1940s and 1950s, making her final film appearance in a small part in the 1959 version of Ben-Hur.
Known for
ActingBirthday
September 6, 1899Deathday
April 26, 1984Gender
FemaleKnown Movie Credits
62Place of birth
New York City, New York, USACast credits
The Jazz Singer
Mary DaleLove Crazy
Sanity Hearing Secretary (uncredited)Morals
Carlotta CarlottaBen-Hur: A Tale of the Christ
EstherThird Finger, Left Hand
Telephone Operator (uncredited)Two Girls and a Sailor
Dowager (uncredited)Lady Windermere's Fan
Lady WindermereThe Bedroom Window
Ruth MartinThe Fire Brigade
Helen CorwinThree Women
Jeannie WiltonThe Yellow Cab Man
(uncredited)The Mad Whirl
Cathleen GillisA Trip to Paramountown
SelfOnly 38
Lucy StanleyA Perfect Lady
Claire HigginsA Private Scandal
Jeanne MillettThe Devil's Garden
NorahHollywood: Style Center of the World
SalesladyTwo Girls on Broadway
Chatworth's Secretary (uncredited)Ben-Hur
Woman in crowd (uncredited)My Old Dutch
Sal Gratton