Doris May

Doris May
May, c. 1920
Born
Helen Gregory Garrett

October 15, 1902
Seattle, Washington, U.S.
DiedMay 12, 1984 (aged 81)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Other nameDoris Lee
EducationBroadway High School
OccupationActress
Years active1917 - 1927 (film)
SpouseWallace MacDonald (1921-1978, his death)
RelativesOtis Garrett (brother)

Doris May (born Helen Gregory Garrett; October 15, 1902 – May 12, 1984), billed initially as Doris Lee, was an American actress of the silent era. She appeared in 29 films between 1917 and 1927, generally as a leading lady. Most of her roles were in westerns and comedies, although she also starred in some melodramas.

Early life and career

Born in Seattle, Washington, on October 15, 1902, May was the eldest of two children born to sportswriter George E. Garrett, aka Willie Green. She attended Broadway High School.

In 1917, prior to her first credited screen role ("Mabel Glennie" in His Mother's Boy), May was the double for Mary Pickford, in The Little American.

Personal life and death

May was the sister of screenwriter Otis Garrett.

May married actor and producer Wallace MacDonald in Los Angeles on May 5, 1921, and they remained wed until his death in 1978.

Partial filmography

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Seattle Born Girl to Play Lead With Ray". The Seattle Star. Seattle, Washington. December 20, 1917. p. 4. Retrieved September 5, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. DORIS LEE is none other than Helen Gregory Garrett, who attended Broadway High [...] She was A pupil of Broadway high school until last April, when she left for Los Angeles. Her first appearance on the screen was in 'The Little American,' when she doubled for Mary Pickford.
  2. 1 2 "SWEETHEART: Doris May Has Scored Many Hits in Film Romances". Daily News. New York, New York City. January 10, 1920. p. 15. Retrieved September 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. DORIS MAY, who used to be known in films as Doris Lee, has often appeared in picture with the adored Charles Ray. She was the bewitching little sweetheart in 'The Hired Man' and 'Playing the Game.' And if you recollect, she 'doubled' for Mary Pickford in 'The Little American.' Golden hair and brown eyes has Doris, and she is not quite eighteen.
  3. ↑ Wlaschin p.235
  4. ↑ Wilson, Scott (2016). Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons. Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company. p. 464. ISBN 9781476625997. "Married to Doris May (Oct. 15, 2002–May 12, 1984), he died in Santa Barbara at 87. Buried together. She has no marker. Inspiration Slope, block 413, lawn crypt 7A. Forest Lawn, Glendale, CA."
  5. ↑ "Charming Children of San Diego Who Are Visiting Seattle Friends". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Seattle, Washington. July 6, 1915. p. 12. Retrieved September 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. MISS HELEN GREGORY GARRETT and Master Otis Edgar Garrett, children of Mrs. George E. Garrett, of San Diego, Cal., are the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Claborn A. Stokes [...] These charming children are popular in Seattle and Tacoma, having a large circle of little friends in both cities. Their father, the late George E. Garrett, was one or the well known newspaper writers of the West and enjoyed a national reputation as an authority on sports.
  6. ↑ "George E. Garrett Is Dead". The Grand Island Independent. Grand Island, Nebraska. March 3, 1915. p. 4. Retrieved September 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. San Diego. Cal., March 3.-George E. Garrett, known in newspaper offices sporting world familiarly, as 'Willie Green," died here from a complication of diseases of long standing. He leaves a widow and children. Willie Green was better known for his articles on prize fighting and he reported or refereed many famous contests.
  7. ↑ "Movie Entertainers Entertained: 'OUR GANG' REMAINS GAY GANG OF PALS; Millions Are Still Enjoying the Comedies of Young Northwest Screen Stars, While Youngsters Enjoy Vacation at Rosedale". The Tacoma Sunday Register. Tacoma, Washington. July 28, 1935. p. 1. Retrieved September 6, 2026 – via Newspapers.com. Patricia Garrett's mother, the former Helen Garrett, is remembered by many Tacomans as she spent her girlhood days in Tacoma before becoming famous on the stage as the leading lady of Douglas McLean. She is now Mrs. Wallace McDonald, and with her husband is active in movie affairs. Her brother, Otis Garrett, who also lived in Tacoma for many years, has won acclaim as a scenario writer and is now assistant production manager to the Phil Goldstone unit of MetroGoldwyn-Mayer. He has just finished work on "The Age of Indiscretion," which will be seen in Tacoma soon.
  8. ↑ "Doris May and Wallace MacDonald, Film Stars, Wed". Daily News. New York, New York City. May 6, 1921. p. 16. Retrieved September 4, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ Katchmer, George A. (2015). A Biographical Dictionary of Silent Film Western Actors and Actresses. McFarland. p. 224. ISBN 978-1-4766-0905-8. Retrieved May 29, 2020.

Bibliography