When you think of Hollywood's golden age, Bette Davis is a name that instantly comes to mind. Bette became a Hollywood legend, known for her fierce independence, outspoken personality, and iconic roles. Her career spanned over six decades, making her one of the most significant actresses in Hollywood history.
In this blog, we will explore Bette Davis's life, her legacy in Hollywood, and her impact on classic cinema. First, let's take a look at her early life and career.
In 1908, Bette Davis was born to Ruth Augusta Favor and Harlow Morrell Davis, a patent attorney and an amateur artist, respectively. As a child, Bette was known for her independent and rebellious nature, often defying her parents and teachers. Her passion for acting led her to attend the John Murray Anderson School of Theater in New York City, where she honed her drama and dance skills.
After moving to Hollywood in 1930, Bette landed a contract with Universal Pictures and made her screen debut in 1931 in the supporting role of “Bad Sister.” Despite the small part, Bette's captivating performance caught the attention of critics and audiences alike, leading her to sign with Warner Bros. Pictures and begin building her reputation as a versatile actress.
Bette's stardom continued to rise in Hollywood, with notable performances in films like “The Man Who Played God,” “Cabin in the Cotton,” and “20,000 Years in Sing Sing” in 1932 and 1933. In 1934, her performance in “Of Human Bondage” earned her critical acclaim and a nomination for Best Actress at the Academy Awards.
Despite her success, Bette clashed with Warner Bros. executives over the types of roles she was being offered, leading her to consider leaving the studio. However, they convinced her to stay by offering her better roles and more money. This decision proved to be a wise one for both Bette and Warner Bros., as she went on to win two Academy Awards for Best Actress in 1935 and 1938 for her performances in “Dangerous” and “Jezebel,” respectively.
A defining feature of Bette Davis's acting style was her ability to convey powerful emotions through her performances. Davis's range and intensity earned her numerous awards and accolades throughout her career. In 1935, she won her first Academy Award for her role in "Dangerous," and she went on to win a second award for "Jezebel" in 1938. Davis was nominated for ten Academy Awards in total, including for her iconic performance in "All About Eve." She also won several other awards throughout her career, including Emmy and Golden Globe awards, cementing her status as one of the greatest actresses of her time.
Throughout her life, Bette Davis had four marriages. In 1932, she married musician Harmon Nelson, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1938. Following this, Davis married Arthur Farnsworth in 1940, but the couple separated the following year. Her third marriage was to artist William Grant Sherry in 1945, but they divorced in 1950. Davis's fourth and final marriage was to actor Gary Merrill in 1950, which ended in divorce in 1960. Alongside her marriages, Davis also had a complex personal life.
Bette Davis passed away on October 6, 1989, at the age of 81, from complications related to breast cancer. She had been diagnosed with the disease in 1983, and had a mastectomy and several rounds of chemotherapy. Despite her illness, Davis continued to work in the film and television industry up until her death, and even made a posthumous appearance in the television series "Wicked Stepmother" (1989). Davis's death was mourned by fans and colleagues alike, and she remains a beloved and iconic figure in Hollywood history.
Bette Davis Filmography: Celebrating the Iconic Roles of a Hollywood Legend
Bette Davis appeared in more than 100 films throughout her career, including some of the most iconic movies of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Here is a comprehensive list of Bette Davis films, along with a brief description of each:
"Bad Sister" (1931) - Davis's first major film role, in which she plays a young woman who must choose between her love for a man and her loyalty to her brother.
"The Cabin in the Cotton" (1932) - Davis stars alongside Richard Barthelmess in this drama about a sharecropper who rises to become a successful cotton broker.
"The Man Who Played God" (1932) - In this drama, Davis plays a young woman who falls in love with a pianist who has lost his hearing.
"Three on a Match" (1932) - Davis plays one of three childhood friends who reunite as adults, only to find themselves caught up in a dangerous underworld.
"20,000 Years in Sing Sing" (1932) - Davis plays the girlfriend of a convict who is sent to Sing Sing prison, where he must navigate the harsh realities of prison life.
"The Petrified Forest" (1936) - Davis stars opposite Humphrey Bogart in this classic drama about a group of people who become trapped in a remote diner by a gangster on the run.
"Jezebel" (1938) - Davis won her second Academy Award for her performance in this drama about a Southern belle who defies convention and society in the pre-Civil War South.
"Dark Victory" (1939) - Davis plays a young socialite who is diagnosed with a fatal illness and must come to terms with her mortality.
"The Old Maid" (1939) - Davis stars alongside Miriam Hopkins in this drama about two cousins who fall in love with the same man.
"All This, and Heaven Too" (1940) - Davis plays a governess who falls in love with her employer, a married man, in this romantic drama set in 19th-century France.
"The Letter" (1940) - In this film noir, Davis plays a woman who confesses to murdering a man, but her story is not as it seems.
"The Little Foxes" (1941) - Davis gives a powerhouse performance as a Southern matriarch who will stop at nothing to get what she wants.
"Now, Voyager" (1942) - Davis stars as a shy, repressed spinster who undergoes a dramatic transformation under the care of a psychiatrist.
"Watch on the Rhine" (1943) - Davis plays the wife of an anti-fascist activist who is forced to flee Nazi Germany and seek refuge in the United States.
"Mr. Skeffington" (1944) - Davis plays a vain socialite who falls from grace during World War II.
"All About Eve" (1950) - Davis gives a masterful performance as an aging Broadway star who is threatened by a young and ambitious fan.
"The Star" (1952) - Davis plays an aging actress who struggles to accept the fact that her star has faded.
"Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" (1962) - Davis stars alongside Joan Crawford in this psychological thriller about two aging sisters with a troubled past.
"Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte" (1964) - Davis stars as a wealthy Southern woman who becomes embroiled in a murder investigation.
"The Nanny" (1965) - Davis plays a nanny who becomes increasingly possessive and controlling towards the children she cares for in this psychological thriller.
"The Anniversary" (1968) - Davis plays a matriarch who is determined to celebrate her 40th wedding anniversary, despite her family's objections.
"Connecting Rooms" (1970) - Davis appears in a supporting role in this drama about two couples whose lives become intertwined.
"Bunny O'Hare" (1971) - Davis stars alongside fellow Hollywood legend Ernest Borgnine in this comedy about a pair of senior citizens who turn to a life of crime.
"Burnt Offerings" (1976) - Davis plays the eccentric aunt of a family who moves into a haunted mansion in this horror film.
"Death on the Nile" (1978) - Davis appears in a supporting role in this adaptation of Agatha Christie's classic mystery novel.
"The Watcher in the Woods" (1980) - Davis stars in this horror film about a family who moves into a haunted house.
"Little Gloria...Happy at Last" (1982) - Davis appears in a supporting role in this made-for-TV movie about the custody battle over heiress Gloria Vanderbilt.
"A Piano for Mrs. Cimino" (1982) - Davis plays an elderly woman who befriends a young boy in this heartwarming drama.
"Hotel" (1983-1988) - Davis had a recurring role on this television series about the guests and staff of a luxury hotel.
"The Whales of August" (1987) - Davis stars alongside Lillian Gish in this drama about two elderly sisters who reflect on their lives during a summer on the Maine coast.
Bette Davis's filmography is a testament to her versatility as an actress, spanning genres from drama to horror to comedy. Her performances in many of these films are still celebrated today, cementing her status as one of Hollywood's greatest film stars of all time.