About Lola May
Lived 1889 – 1971 (aged 81). Lola May was an American actor, stage actor and film actor.
Lola May (born May Purman; 1889–1971) was an American silent film and stage actress.
Life May was born in North Dakota. She was a stage actress and appeared in seven films during the silent era including the historical drama The Beggar of Cawnpore. She appeared in the 1908-1909 Broadway hit A Gentleman from Mississippi. Her other Broadway plays included The Lure (1913), Just Like John (1912), and An Old New Yorker (1911).
Beginning in November 1913, May faced a lawsuit from Marie Crandell, who said that her estranged husband, Derby Crandell, had bought gifts for May and had dined with her. Mrs. Crandell said "My husband was a model husband and we were very happy until this other woman came between us." The suit asked for $50,000 damages. The suit was dismissed on March 21, 1914, after Mrs. Crandell "failed to file a bill of particulars".
In 1916 she appeared in Thomas H. Ince's anti-war film Civilization as Queen Eugenie. The film reputedly cost $1 million to make.
Partial filmography The Lure (1914) The Beggar of Cawnpore (1916) The Heart of Nora Flynn (1916) The Green Swamp (1916) Civilization (1916)
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
People in Lola May's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Lola May's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Lola May?
silent film and US stage actor (1889-1971)
When was Lola May born?
Lola May was born on 15 March 1889 in North Dakota.
When did Lola May die?
Lola May died on 4 February 1971 in Los Angeles.
What was Lola May's occupation?
Lola May was an actor, stage actor and film actor.
What nationality was Lola May?
Lola May was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Lola May. https://biography.guide/lola-may/
MLA: "Lola May." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/lola-may/.
Chicago: "Lola May." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/lola-may/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-23 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:06 UTC