Job Actress
Known for Crusty, domineering society matrons and grandmothers; cross old ladies with hearts of gold
Top Roles Apple Annie, Aunt Etta, Mimi, Aunt Elizabeth Random, Mrs. Wendel
Top GenresDrama, Romance, Comedy, Film Adaptation, Musical, Crime
Top TopicsBook-Based, Pre-Code Cinema, Marriage
Top Collaborators (Producer), (Producer), (Director), (Director)
Shares birthday with Constance Talmadge, Madge Kennedy, Jayne Mansfield  see more..

May Robson Overview:

Character actress, May Robson, was born Mary Jeannette Robison on Apr 19, 1858 in Melbourne, Australia. Robson died at the age of 84 on Oct 20, 1942 in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles and was laid to rest in Flushing Cemetery in Flushing, Queens County, New York City, NY.

MINI BIO:

May Robson was one of Australia's most valuable exports to Hollywood -- a light-haired, round-as-a-dumpling lady who took to acting when widowed at 25, and soon found herself in demand for strong-willed character roles. She came to Hollywood from the stage for good in 1931 to play very human doyennes from both sides of the tracks, who had flinty exteriors and usually took a firm hand with the juveniles, but were good for a tear at the end. She had a few leading roles in an appropriate batch of titles, Lady for Day, You Can't Bury Everything, Grand Old Girl and Granny Get Your Gun. For her Apple Annie in "Lady for a Day", she was nominated for an Oscar.

(Source: available at Amazon Quinlan's Illustrated Dictionary of Film Character Actors).

HONORS and AWARDS:

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Although Robson was nominated for one Oscar, she never won a competitive Academy Award.

Academy Awards

YearAwardFilm nameRoleResult
1932/33Best ActressLady for a Day (1933)Apple AnnieNominated
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May Robson's handprints and footprints were 'set in stone' at Grauman's Chinese Theater during imprint ceremony #36 on Apr 22, 1937.

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May Robson Quotes:

Grandmother Lettie: Esther, everyone in this world who has ever dreamed about better things has been laughed at, don't you know that? But there's a difference between dreaming and doing. The dreamers just sit around and moon about how wonderful it would be if only things were different. And the years roll on and by and by they grow and they forget everything, even about their dreams. Oh yes, you want to be somebody, but you want it to be easy. Oh you modern girls give me a pain!


Patricia 'Patsy' Patterson: Old people are respectable in spite of themselves.


Mrs. Random: I want you to meet Mr. Bone.
David and Major Applegate simultaneously: How do you do Mr. Bone.
Mrs. Random: (to David): No, YOU'RE Mr. Bone. This is Major Applegate.


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Best Actress Oscar 1932/33




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May Robson Facts
Mother of Edward, and two other children

The earliest-born actress to receive an Oscar nomination.

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