 Born in New York City, May was the grandson of vaudeville comedian Chic Johnson, half of the Olsen and Johnson comedy team famed for their blackout gags and orchestrated mayhem.May's first experience in show business came when he was two years old, when his grandfather had him appear in the "Hellzapoppin" comedy review, together with his partner Ole Olsen.May became an actor, stage performer, stuntman, director and public speaker, appearing in several films together with Jerry Lewis, including "The Nutty Professor".