May mcavoy biography

May McAvoy

Biography

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, and Mary Dale in The Jazz Singer.


May Irene McAvoy was born on September 8, 1899, in New York City to Julia Agnes McAvoy (née Reilly) and James Patrick McAvoy, who were both first generation Irish-Americans. The 1910 census lists her as living with her maternal grandparents in Sussex, New Jersey.

McAvoy debuted as an extra in the film 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. She also portrayed Lady Windermere in Ernst Lubitsch's Lady Windermere's Fan (1925).

In addition to acting in The Jazz Singer, McAvoy coached Al Jolson as he made his film debut. Although her voice was not heard in The Jazz Singer, she spoke in several other films, including the second sound film released by Warner Brothers, The Terror, which was directed by Roy Del Ruth and co

May McAvoy cinema card

Description:

Hand-colored cinema card for actress May McAvoy with a short biography on the back. American actress May McAvoy was born on 8 September 1899 in New York. In 1920, McAvoy gave up her training as a school teacher to become an actress with the Pathé Company. Her first acting job was a commercial for Domino sugar. Soon after, she appeared in the film The Devil’s Garden (1920). In 1921, McAvoy got the lead role in the film Sentimental Tommy which earned her a contract with Paramount Pictures. The most famous of her movies include Ben Hur (1925) and The Jazz Singer (1927). She died on 26 April 1984 at the age of 84. Her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame immortalizes her contributions to the film industry.

This card belongs to a set titled "Cinema Stars: A Series of 30 Hand Coloured Pictures" which features popular film actresses from the 1930s. Collectible cards like this were very popular during the 1920s and 1930s, and they were distributed by various brands in both tobacco and food products. In the 1920s, Cavanders Ltd. also released t

May McAvoy

American actress (1899–1984)

May McAvoy

McAvoy in 1924

Born

May Irene McAvoy


(1899-09-08)September 8, 1899

New York City, U.S.

DiedApril 26, 1984(1984-04-26) (aged 84)

Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Resting placeHoly Cross Cemetery, Culver City, California, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1917–1959
Spouses

Maurice Cleary

(m. 1929; div. 1940)​

(m. 1971)​
Children1

May Irene McAvoy[citation needed] (September 8, 1899 – April 26, 1984)[1] 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, and Mary Dale in The Jazz Singer.

Life and career

May Irene McAvoy was born on September 8, 1899, in New York City to Julia Agnes McAvoy (née Reilly) and James Patrick McAvoy, who were both first generation Irish-Americans. The 1910 census lists her as living w

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