Dame May Whitty, DBE (19 June 1865–29 May 1948), born Mary Louise Whitty, was an English theatre actress who appeared in several films towards the end of her life, achieving recognition in several character roles.
Born in Liverpool, daughter of Alfred Whitty and Mary Louisa Ashton, May Whitty made her first stage appearance in Liverpool in 1881 before moving to London to appear on the West End.
She married the actor-manager Ben Webster in 1892 in...
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Dame May Whitty, DBE (19 June 1865–29 May 1948), born Mary Louise Whitty, was an English theatre actress who appeared in several films towards the end of her life, achieving recognition in several character roles.
Born in Liverpool, daughter of Alfred Whitty and Mary Louisa Ashton, May Whitty made her first stage appearance in Liverpool in 1881 before moving to London to appear on the West End.
She married the actor-manager Ben Webster in 1892 in St Giles Parish, London, England, and in 1895 they visited the United States where Whitty appeared on Broadway. Their only 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 1918 she was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire (DBE) in recognition of her charitable work during World War I. She is also the first film and stage actress to become a DBE. In fact, she and opera singer Nellie Melba were the first women...
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