Aunt May

May Parker is a character from Marvel Comics. May is Peter Parker's aunt and the widow of Ben Parker. She became the sole legal guardian of Peter after the deaths of his parents and her husband, who was shot by a crook that Peter did not stop. She is often seen as a mother-figure to Peter and cares deeply for him, making it difficult for Peter to hide the fact that he's Spider-Man.

Aunt May was created by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko.

Appearances

Marvel Cinematic Universe

Aunt May is a recurring character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, beginning with Captain America: Civil War. Here, she is portrayed by Marisa Tomei.

Captain America: Civil War

In Civil War, she is visited by Tony Stark, who is looking to recruit Peter under the pretense of a grant. In a post-credits scene, she tends to Peter's injuries, unaware of his dual identity.

Spider-Man: Homecoming

Aunt May also appears in Spider-Man: Homecoming, where she acts as a major source in Peter's life. She is concerned about the crimes Spider-Man foils being close to their home. She comforts him after he loses his "Stark Internship" and later helps him when he acquires a date for the homecoming dance. At the end of the film, she finds Peter wearing his Spider-Man suit and reacts in shock.

Avengers: Infinity War

Though she does not appear in Avengers: Infinity War, the events of Spider-Man: Far From Home reveal that she was eliminated by Thanos's snap.

Avengers: Endgame

In Avengers: Endgame, May is resurrected by Bruce Banner alongside the victims of Thanos's snap. She attends Tony Stark's funeral alongside her resurrected nephew.

Spider-Man: Far From Home

In Spider-Man: Far From Home, she not only is aware that her nephew is Spider-Man, but also supports him as his alter-ego.

Marvel Animated Universe

Ultimate Spider-Man

Aunt May is a recurring character in the Ultimate Spider-Man TV series, voiced by Misty Lee.

Like her Ultimate comic book counterpart, this version of Aunt May is considerably younger and less frail than her traditional portrayal. She is shown to be involved in various hobbies such as yoga and cooking classes, which allow Peter to sneak out of the house without arousing suspicion. In "Attack of the Beetle", she was asked out to dinner by S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Phil Coulson (who Nick Fury assigned to be the acting principal of Peter's school). Near the end of Season 3, she reveals she has always known that Peter was Spider-Man, but despite her knowing, she thinks that nothing has changed between them.

Spider-Man

Trivia

• The Marvel Cinematic Universe version of May is the third portrayal of the character in Marvel's cinematic history. May was previously portrayed by Rosemary Harris and Sally Field in Sony's two Spider-Man film series. She was also voiced by Lily Tomlin in the animated film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.
• Marisa Tomei has previously acted alongside Robert Downey Jr. in the films Only You and Chaplin. This may possibly be the reason why Tony Stark is attracted to her, as a call back to the former.
• Tomei's casting, at her early 50s, was criticized as fans believed she was too young and attractive to play Aunt May. Kevin Feige has stated that being in her 50s makes her realistically old enough to be Peter's aunt, as most of her incarnations are depicted as elderly.
• Nancy Linari reprises her role as Aunt May in the non-Disney related 2018 Spider-Man video game.
• Spider-Man: Homecoming marks the first time in a Spider-Man film that Aunt May finds out Peter Parker is Spider-Man.
• Originally, after the release of Avengers: Infinity War, directors Joe and Anthony Russo claimed that May survived Thanos's snap. However, Spider-Man: Far From Home instead reveals that May was disintegrated by Thanos.

Gallery

References

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Media Films: Marvel Rising: Initiation • Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors • Marvel Rising: Chasing Ghosts • Marvel Rising: Heart of Iron • Marvel Rising: Battle of the Bands • Marvel Rising: Operation Shuri • Marvel Rising: Playing with Fire Television: The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes • Ultimate Spider-Man (Episode List) • Avengers Assemble (Episode List) • Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H. • Guardians of the Galaxy (Episode List) • Spider-Man (Episode List) Books: Ultimate Spider-Man: Why I Hate Gym • Ultimate Spider-Man: Flight of the Iron Spider! • Ultimate Spider-Man: Venom! • Ultimate Spider-Man: Doomed! • Ultimate Spider-Man: Great Responsibility • Ultimate Spider-Man: Great Power Video Games: Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth • Iron Man 3: The Official Game • Disney INFINITY: 2.0 Edition • Disney INFINITY: 3.0 Edition • Marvel: Contest of Champions • Marvel: Avengers Alliance • Marvel vs. Capcom series (Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite) Characters Heroes: Spider-Man • Iron Man • Captain America • Hulk • Thor Odinson • Hawkeye • Black Widow • Falcon • A-Bomb • Red Hulk • She-Hulk • Skaar • Wolverine • Power Man • White Tiger • Iron Fist • Nova • Mr. Fantastic • Invisible Woman • Human Torch • The Thing • Ghost Rider • Punisher • Star-Lord • Gamora • Rocket Raccoon • Drax the Destroyer • Groot • Hank Pym • Scott Lang • Wasp • Vision • Captain Marvel • Mar-Vell • Black Panther • Bucky Barnes • Quake • Doc Samson • Cloak and Dagger • Doctor Strange • Crystal Amaquelin • Squirrel Girl • Ka-Zar • Medusa Amaquelin • Black Bolt • Triton • Mockingbird • Adam Warlock • Beta Ray Bill • Ms. Marvel • Black Cat • Spider-Girl (Petra Parker) • Madame Web • Spider-Gwen • Miles Morales • Spider-Girl (Anya Corazon) • Scarlet Spider • Beast • Blade • Moon Knight • Cyclops • Storm • Angela • Inferno • Beetle • Songbird • Techno • Atlas • Meteorite • Spider-Woman • Red Guardian • Darkstar • Radioactive Man • Ursa Major • Werewolf by Night • Man-Thing • Frankenstein's Monster • N'Kantu • Tippy-Toe Villains: Red Skull • MODOK • Abomination • Loki Laufeyson • Ultron • Whiplash • Venom • Doctor Octopus • Leader • Doctor Doom • Nighthawk • Doctor Spectrum • Power Princess • Speed Demon • Super-Adaptoid • Annihilus • Destroyer • Grim Reaper • Crimson Dynamo • Green Goblin • Lizard • Taskmaster • Sandman • Electro • Hydro-Man • Kraven the Hunter • Baron Strucker • Ronan the Accuser • Galactus • Thanos • Viper • Enchantress • Magneto • Mystique • Baron Zemo • Nebula • Korath • Surtur • Fire Demons • Michael Korvac • Maestro • Morgan le Fay • Black Widow II • Batroc • Shocker • Vulture • Ghost • Seeker • Growing Man • Dormammu • Dracula • Ultimo • Sandgirl • Hala • High Evolutionary Other Characters: Nick Fury • Maria Hill • Jane Foster • J.A.R.V.I.S. • Deadpool • Harry Osborn • Howard the Duck • Cosmo the Spacedog • Odin Borson • Ben Parker • May Parker • Betty Brant • Liz Allan • Muneeba Khan • J. Jonah Jameson Organizations Avengers • Guardians of the Galaxy • S.H.I.E.L.D. • Nick Fury's Howling Commandos • HYDRA • A.I.M. • Stark Industries • Squadron Supreme • Masters of Evil • The Sinister Six • Kree • Inhumans • Fantastic Four • Winter Guard • Defenders • Damage Control Objects/Weapons Captain America's Shield • Iron Man's Armor • Mjolnir • Pym Particles

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Media Movies: Phase One: Iron Man • The Incredible Hulk • Iron Man 2 • Thor • Captain America: The First Avenger • The Avengers Phase Two: Iron Man 3 • Thor: The Dark World • Captain America: The Winter Soldier • Guardians of the Galaxy • Avengers: Age of Ultron • Ant-Man Phase Three: Captain America: Civil War • Doctor Strange • Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 • Spider-Man: Homecoming • Thor: Ragnarok • Black Panther • Avengers: Infinity War • Ant-Man and the Wasp • Captain Marvel • Avengers: Endgame • Spider-Man: Far From Home Phase Four: Black Widow • Eternals • Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings • Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness • Spider-Man 3 • Thor: Love and Thunder Miscellaneous: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 • Black Panther II • Ant-Man 3 • Captain Marvel 2 • Fantastic Four • Blade TV Shows: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. • Agent Carter • Daredevil • Jessica Jones • Luke Cage • Iron Fist • The Defenders • Inhumans • The Punisher • Runaways • Cloak & Dagger • Helstrom • The Falcon and the Winter Soldier • WandaVision • Loki • What If...? • Hawkeye • Ms. Marvel • Moon Knight • She-Hulk Specials: Marvel Studios: Assembling a Universe • Marvel 75 Years: From Pulp to Pop Cancelled: Inhumans • New Warriors Marvel One-Shots: Item 47 • Agent Carter • All Hail the King Books: The Art of Marvel's The Avengers • Thor: The Dark World: Warriors of the Realms • Captain America: The Winter Soldier – The Movie Storybook • Captain America: The Winter Soldier: Rescue at Sea Video games: Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth • Iron Man 3: The Official Game • Disney INFINITY: 2.0 Edition • Disney INFINITY: 3.0 Edition • Marvel: Contest of Champions • Marvel: Avengers Alliance • Marvel vs. Capcom series (Marvel vs. Capcom: Infinite) Soundtracks: The Avengers • Iron Man 3 • Thor: The Dark World • Captain America: The Winter Soldier • Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix Vol. 1 Disney Parks Avengers Campus • Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle! • Avengers Ride • Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind • Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT! • Iron Man Experience • Iron Man Paris Ride • Iron Man Tech Showcase • Marvel's Mission: Dimensions of Danger • Spider-Man Ride • Super Hero HQ • The Annex Entertainment: Avengers Training Initiative • Doctor Strange: Journey into the Mystic Arts • Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off! • Marvel Heroes Unite • Marvel Comic Academy • The Pavilion • Stark Expo présente : une énergie pour demain! Restaurants: Pym Test Kitchen Shops: Expo Shop • Pavilion Gifts • The Collector’s Warehouse Firework: Disney Movie Magic • World of Color: Celebrate! Characters Heroes: Iron Man • Black Widow • Captain America • Thor Odinson • Hulk • Hawkeye • Falcon • War Machine • Star-Lord • Drax the Destroyer • Gamora • Rocket Raccoon • Groot • Scarlet Witch • Quicksilver • Vision • Hank Pym • Janet van Dyne • Scott Lang • Daredevil • Jessica Jones • Luke Cage • Iron Fist • Doctor Strange • Spider-Man • Black Panther • Captain Marvel • Punisher • Trish Walker • Jeri Hogarth • Misty Knight • Colleen Wing • Mantis • Black Bolt • Medusa Amaquelin • Crystal Amaquelin • Red Guardian • Crimson Widow • Shang-Chi • Hawkeye (Kate Bishop) Villains: Whiplash • Justin Hammer • Red Skull • Loki Laufeyson • Thanos • Aldrich Killian • Trevor Slattery • Eric Savin • Malekith • Algrim • The Winter Soldier • Alexander Pierce • Crossbones • Arnim Zola • The Other • Nebula • Ronan the Accuser • Collector • Ulysses Klaw • Ultron • Franklin Hall • Leader • Abomination • Baron Strucker • Ellen Brandt • The Kingpin • Kilgrave • Baron Zemo • Cottonmouth • Black Mariah • Shades • Diamondback • Baron Mordo • Kaecilius • Bride of Nine Spiders • Ego the Living Planet • Ayesha • Taserface • The Vulture • Shocker • Tinkerer • Maximus • Hela • Erik Killmonger • Ghost • Sonny Burch • Yon-Rogg • Dr. Minn-Erva • Supreme Intelligence • Ebony Maw • Corvus Glaive • Proxima Midnight • Cull Obsidian • Morgan le Fay • Taskmaster Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. characters: Skye • Grant Ward • Leo Fitz • Jemma Simmons • Melinda May • John Garrett • Michael Peterson • Ace Peterson • Chan Ho Yin • Miles Lydon • Victoria Hand • Akela Amador • Raina • Elliot Randolph • Ian Quinn • Lorelei • Audrey Nathan • Agent Koenig • Antoine Triplett • Mockingbird • Absorbing Man • Isabelle Hartley • Lance Hunter • Daniel Whitehall • Calvin Zabo • Robert Gonzales • Alphonso Mackenzie • Lincoln Campbell • Gordon • Yo-Yo • Ghost Rider • Holden Radcliffe • Jeffrey Mace • Kasius • Sinara • Sarge • Izel • Phil Coulson (LMD) Other characters: Nick Fury • Phil Coulson • Maria Hill • J.A.R.V.I.S. • Pepper Potts • Jane Foster • Erik Selvig • Maya Hansen • Harley Keener • Odin Borson • Heimdall • Volstagg • Hogun • Fandral • Sif • Happy Hogan • Peggy Carter • Sharon Carter • Senator Stern • Darcy Lewis • Frigga • Bor • Rhomann Dey • Yondu Udonta • Korath • Carina • Irani Rael • Hope van Dyne • Vice President Rodriguez • Howard the Duck • Garthan Saal • Cosmo the Spacedog • Edwin Jarvis • Cassandra Lang • Stick • Ancient One • Claire Temple • Christine Palmer • Howard Stark • Aunt May • Everett Ross • Betty Brant • Valkyrie • Michelle • Okoye • Nakia • Shuri • Queen Ramonda • M'Baku • Zuri • T'Chaka • F.R.I.D.A.Y. • Goose • Mar-Vell • Morgan Stark • Yelena Belova • J. Jonah Jameson • Alexi Shostakov Episodes ABC: Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. episode list • Agent Carter episode list • Inhumans episode list Netflix: Daredevil episode list • Jessica Jones episode list • Luke Cage episode list • Iron Fist episode list • The Defenders episode list • The Punisher episode list Hulu: Runaways episode list Freeform: Cloak & Dagger episode list Songs Shoot To Thrill • Blue (Da Ba Dee) • Trouble Man • Hooked on a Feeling • Spirit In The Sky • Cherry Bomb • Come and Get Your Love • I Want You Back • Escape (The Piña Colada Song) • Ain't No Mountain High Enough • Go All The Way • Moonage Daydream • I'm Not In Love • Fooled Around and Fell in Love • O-o-h Child • Magic • Live To Rise • I've Got No Strings • Left Hand Free • Mr. Blue Sky • The Chain • Born to Be Wild • Inmigrant Song Weapons/Objects Super Soldier Serum • Captain America's Shield • Mjolnir • Tesseract • Chitauri Scepter • Iron Man (armor) • Extremis • Iron Legion • Iron Patriot (armor) • Aether • Infinity Stones • Centipede • 0-8-4 • Berserker Staff • Widow's Bite • EXO-7 Falcon • Orb • Universal Weapon • Gravitonium • Pym Particles • Diviner • Vibranium • Infinity Gauntlet • Web-Shooters Vehicles S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier • Quinjet • Valkyrie • Milano • The Bus • Dark Aster • Lola Organizations/Groups Avengers • Chitauri • Stark Industries • S.H.I.E.L.D. • A.I.M. • Asgardians • Dark Elves • Frost Giants • HYDRA • World Security Council • Guardians of the Galaxy • Nova Corps • Kree • Sakaarans • Rising Tide • Centipede Project • Cybertek • Xandarians • Strike • Ravagers • The Inhumans • The Hand • Defenders • Black Order Locations New York (state) • New York City • Avengers Tower • Asgard • India • Stuttgart • Germany • Nine Realms • London • England • Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S. • Tony Stark's Mansion • Triskelion • Xandar • Morag • Guest House • The Hub • Knowhere • Shawarma Palace • Sanctuary • Hong Kong • Ego • New Avengers Facility • Vormir • Quantum Realm • New Jersey