Edna.May Oliver
(1883 - 1942)This wonderful character actress created many fabulous roles in her career. She was born Edna May Nutter on November 9, 1883 in Malden, Massachusetts and I'd always thought she was a British actress. She began her acting career on the stage and appeared in silent films and later "talkies" with Famous Players. She also worked in radio. With her long "horse-face" and demanding voice she was perfect for playing droll or sarcastic characters, most often spinsters. She portrayed many characters of literature in filmizations of the classics. Among her many memorable roles: "Wife in Name Only" (1923) as Mrs. Dornham, her film debut; "Manhattan" (1924) as Mrs. Trapes; "Cimarron" (1931) as Mrs. Tracy Wyatt; "Little Women" (1933) as Aunt March; "Alice in Wonderland" (1933) as the Red Queen; "A Tale of Two Cities" (1935) as Miss Pross; "David Copperfield" (1935) as Aunt Betsey Trotwood; "Romeo and Juliet" (1936) as Nurse; "Little Miss Broadway" (1938) with Shirley Temple, as Sarah Wendling; "Drums Along the Mohawk" (1939) as the funny and sympathetic Widow McKlennar, probably her best role, and for which she received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress; "The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle" (1938) as Maggie Sutton; "Pride and Prejudice" (1940) as Lady Catherine de Bourgh and "Lydia" (1941) as Granny, her last film. She was a treat to watch and remains one of filmdom's greats. She died on November 9, 1942 in Los Angeles of an intestinal disorder.
From Great Character Actors, Page 1.
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