Bette Davis

NAME Ruth Elizabeth Davis, professionally known as Bette Davis

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Bette Davis was an iconic actress renowned for her portrayals of strong, independent women in films like What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, Jezebel, and All About Eve.

BIRTH Bette Davis was born on April 5, 1908, at 55 Cedar Street, Lowell, Massachusetts.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Her father, Harlow Morrell Davis, was a law student who became a patent attorney. Her mother, Ruth Augusta "Ruthie" Favor, hailed from Tyngsboro, Massachusetts. Most of Bette’s ancestors were New Englanders dating back to the 1600s.

When she was eight, her parents divorced, and her mother raised her and her sister, Barbara.

CHILDHOOD Born Ruth Elizabeth Davis, she was affectionately known as "Betty" from an early age. When she was ten, her parents divorced, and her mother raised her and her sister.

EDUCATION Bette Davis's education played a crucial role in shaping her future career. She attended various boarding schools, including Crestalban in Lanesborough, Massachusetts, for three years. Later, she enrolled at Cushing Academy in Ashburnham, Massachusetts, her mother's alma mater. At Cushing Academy, she developed a taste for acting and began performing in school productions.

Davis's passion for acting grew during her teenage years. After Cushing Academy, she participated in summer stock theater in Rochester, New York. She then moved to New York City to pursue her acting dreams. Davis enrolled in the John Murray Anderson/Robert Milton School of Theatre and Dance, where she became a star pupil and Lucille Ball was a classmate.

CAREER RECORD Broadway debut in 1929

Signed with Warner Bros. in 1931

Starred in numerous classic films, including Dangerous, Jezebel, All About Eve, and What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

Continued to act in film, television, and theater throughout her career

APPEARANCE Bette Davis had a distinctive and memorable appearance that contributed significantly to her iconic status in Hollywood. Her most striking feature was undoubtedly her eyes, which were large, expressive, and slightly wide-set. These eyes became so famous that they inspired the hit song "Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes in the 1980s. Key aspects of Bette Davis' appearance included her large, expressive eyes, a mouth that could appear as a demure bow one moment and wide and startlingly sexual the next, skin that seemed to "glitter," and a distinctive forehead that was also expressive.

Bette Davis in 1935 Wikipedia

Davis was known for her willingness to alter her appearance dramatically for roles. She would often use makeup, wigs, and even prosthetics to transform herself. For What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962), she famously shaved her hairline and eyebrows and plastered her face with powder. In Mr. Skeffington (1944), she wore period wigs and portrayed both a youthful and aged version of her character.

Davis was notable for her willingness to age naturally on screen. She admitted freely to her age, which was unusual for actresses of her time. As she aged, she allowed her wrinkles to show, valuing authenticity over preserving a youthful appearance. She once remarked about her early years, "Compared to what I look like now, I was an absolute living doll!"

FASHION Off-screen, Davis favored simplicity in her clothing, often wearing block colors or simple patterns. She was known for her "outdoorsy New England look" and sports clothes. Her style evolved over time, including a "hipster phase" in the 1980s where she predominantly dressed in black.

CHARACTER Davis was determined, outspoken, and fiercely independent, qualities that translated into her powerful performances.

SPEAKING VOICE Her distinctive, husky speaking voice added gravitas to her performances. It was often described as sultry and commanding

SENSE OF HUMOUR Davis had a sharp wit, evidenced by her playful feuds and pranks, such as installing a Coca-Cola machine on the set of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? to antagonize Joan Crawford.

RELATIONSHIPS Bette Davis's personal life was as dramatic as her on-screen performances. Throughout her life, she was married four times, each marriage reflecting a different stage in her personal and professional journey.

Her first marriage was to Harmon Oscar Nelson. They married on August 18, 1932 in Yuma, Arizona in 1932, and it lasted only six years. They reportedly clashed over Davis's rising fame and income. 

Her second marriage was to Arthur Farnsworth. They married on December 30, 1940 at Home Ranch, Rimrock, Arizona. The marriage was tragically cut short by his death just three years later. 

On November 29, 1945, Davis married William Grant Sherry. This marriage gave her one biological daughter, Barbara Davis Sherry (known as B.D., born in 1947, but ended in divorce in 1950 due to reported abuse. 

Davis's final marriage was to actor Gary Merrill, her co-star from All About Eve. They married on July 28, 1950 and adopted two children, Margot and Michael, but their relationship was strained by Merrill's struggles with alcohol. They divorced in 1960. Sadly, Margot was later diagnosed with severe learning disabilities and required institutionalization.

Davis and Merrill posing in a promotional image for All About Eve

Reflecting on her personal life, Davis once admitted, "If I was a fool in my personal life, I can't blame acting for that. I chose very foolishly." Her marriages were often tumultuous, and the challenges she faced in her personal life are well documented.

Her feuds, particularly with Joan Crawford, were legendary in Hollywood.

MONEY AND FAME Davis achieved immense fame and fortune, becoming one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actresses. Davis was known for her business acumen and shrewd negotiating skills

FOOD AND DRINK Bette Davis had some distinctive eating and drinking habits. She was a proponent of staying hydrated, drinking a glass of water every hour. Her breakfast often consisted of a simple and quick meal: a three-minute soft-boiled egg. Davis enjoyed simple, traditional New England fare like homemade burgers, cucumber salad, cornish game hen, and fresh berries with cold cream. One of her favorite foods was baked beans, and she even shared her own recipe for them.

In terms of beverages, Davis enjoyed white wine and was a regular coffee drinker, sometimes consuming 3-4 cups with breakfast. Unfortunately, Davis also had a significant addiction to smoking. She was a heavy smoker, consuming up to 100 Vantage cigarettes per day. Her cigarette addiction was so severe that she always needed to have one in her hand.

While Davis didn't follow any extreme diets, she seemed to prefer simple, hearty foods reminiscent of her New England upbringing. Her most notable habits were her frequent water consumption and, sadly, her heavy cigarette smoking.

She owned a nightclub in Hollywood for U.S. servicemen and women, where food and drinks were free.

MUSIC AND ARTS Kim Carnes’ hit song "Bette Davis Eyes" in 1981 brought her renewed recognition, earning admiration from her granddaughter.

LITERATURE Davis's love for reading was so pronounced that it reportedly contributed to the end of her first marriage. In a 1938 divorce, her husband claimed "She Read Too Much" as one of the reasons for their separation. While this headline was likely sensationalized, it suggests that Davis spent a significant amount of time reading.

Davis authored multiple books during her lifetime:

This 'N That - Written during her recovery from a stroke in the late 1970s

Bette Davis, The Lonely Life - Her last book, issued in paperback in 1990, which included an update covering 1962 to 1989. She wrote the final chapter of "The Lonely Life" while in San Sebastian, Spain, demonstrating her commitment to writing even in her later years.

Davis's fondness for writing extended to her professional relationships. During the pre-production of a film, she developed a habit of frequently phoning the director with her thoughts, often hanging up abruptly after stating her opinion. This behavior suggests she was constantly thinking about and articulating her ideas, much like a writer.

Even after her death, Davis's connection to literature persisted. Her daughter, B.D. Hyman, wrote a book about Bette called My Mother's Keeper in 1985, which, although scandalous, further cemented Davis's place in literary discussions.

NATURE Bette enjoyed New England's natural beauty, where her family roots lay.

PETS Bette Davis was a devoted animal lover throughout her life, with a particular fondness for dogs. This passion for canine companions suggests she likely enjoyed spending time in nature as well.  She arrived in Hollywood in 1930 with her wire-haired terrier, Boojum, by her side. At times, she even had four Scotties as pets simultaneously. Her dedication to animal welfare went beyond personal ownership.  She served as the lifetime president of the Tailwaggers Society of Southern California, an organization dedicated to animal well-being.  She even went a step further by organizing a fundraising event in 1938 to support an animal hospital and guide dog training programs.

Despite a couple of unfortunate incidents, like being bitten on the ankle by Errol Flynn's dog while filming The Sisters in 1938 and another bite on the nose from a Scottie she was pet-sitting in 1942, Davis's love for dogs remained unwavering.  She famously said, "I still loved dogs, except for the one who bit me."  In addition to her own pets, Davis cared for homeless dogs, demonstrating her compassion extended beyond her personal companions. 

Source Sister Celluloid

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Davis led Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts during her childhood and stayed connected to youth organizations throughout her life.

As a child, Davis participated in various sports at Virgil Junior High School, including tennis, volleyball, and swimming. She even won trophies in athletics. At the age of 12, her passion for sports led to her first screen role when a director noticed her playing baseball.

As an adult, Davis specifically enjoyed swimming, tennis, and bridge.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Bette Davis lived by a philosophy of resilience and independence, as reflected in her epitaph: "She did it the hard way."

POLITICS Davis was vocal about industry politics, often challenging studio heads and advocating for actors' rights.

She was generally liberal in her political views.

Davis registering to vote in 1964 https://digital.library.ucla.edu/catalog/ark:/21198/zz0002sq14

SCANDAL Davis was involved in several public scandals throughout her career, including feuds with other actresses and studio executives Her rivalry with Joan Crawford was both professional and personal, reaching legendary heights during the filming of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

MILITARY RECORD She actively supported U.S. troops during World War II through her Hollywood nightclub.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS The years leading up to her death were marked by declining health. In quick succession, she battled breast cancer, a stroke, and a broken hip.  The cancer's spread accelerated roughly 1-1.5 years before her death.  A serious illness while accepting an award at a Spanish film festival led to hospitalization in France, where she eventually passed away.

HOMES Bette Davis owned several notable homes throughout her life, each offering a glimpse into different periods of her personal and professional journey.

Her roots trace back to Lowell, Massachusetts, where she was born in a large, pink Victorian house on April 5, 1908. The house has since been subdivided into private residences, but a plaque commemorating Davis is set between the first and second floors of the exterior.

In Sugar Hill, New Hampshire, Davis owned a farmhouse called Butternut Cottage. This is believed to have been her first home, although there are rumors that it unfortunately burned down.

During the early stages of her career, while starring in Of Human Bondage, Davis lived in a Spanish Colonial Revival house in Beverly Hills, California, with her first husband, Harmon "Ham" Nelson.

In Laguna Beach, California, she resided at 1991 Ocean Way from 1947 to 1950. This six-bedroom Norman Revival home was perched atop a beachside cliff, offering stunning views. Davis described it as "a dream ... filled with antiques, wood-panelled walls, and all my beloved books." Today, this historic property is recognized on the Laguna Beach register of historic buildings.

TRAVEL Bette Davis traveled extensively for her career, including a final journey to France, where she passed away.

She famously turned down the lead in The African Queen due to its on-location filming.

DEATH Bette Davis passed away on October 6, 1989, at the age of 81. She succumbed to breast cancer at the American Hospital in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, a suburb of Paris.  Her battle with cancer had been ongoing for several years, with a mastectomy performed about five years before her passing.

Following her death, Bette Davis's remains were brought back to Los Angeles for burial.  Her final resting place is Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills.  She shares a white marble sarcophagus with her mother, Ruth Favor Davis, and her sister, Barbara "Bobby" Davis Berry.  Atop the sarcophagus stands a marble statue depicting a Greek goddess holding a bouquet of flowers.

The inscription on Davis's grave is a remarkable reflection of her life and career.  The epitaph, "She did it the hard way," was reportedly suggested by Joseph Mankiewicz, who directed her in the 1950 film All About Eve.  Interestingly, Davis herself had proposed these very lines for her epitaph just a few months before her death.

A small, private graveside service was held for close friends and family, followed by a public memorial service on a Hollywood sound stage.  To honor her legacy, The Bette Davis Foundation was established by her estate managers.  This foundation provides financial assistance to aspiring young actors and actresses.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Bette Davis has been a prominent figure in media and pop culture for decades, her legacy enduring well beyond her passing. Here are notable mentions of her appearances and references:

Bette Davis: The Benevolent Volcano (1984) explored her career and personality through interviews and rare footage.

Stardust: The Bette Davis Story (2006), narrated by Susan Sarandon, delved into her life and career.

In Feud: Bette and Joan (2017), Susan Sarandon played Davis, dramatizing her rivalry with Joan Crawford during the filming of What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

Davis appeared as herself in TV specials and interviews, notably on talk shows like The Tonight Show and The Dick Cavett Show, where her sharp wit and intelligence shone.

Kim Carnes' 1981 smash hit "Bette Davis Eyes" made Davis a pop culture icon for a new generation. The song celebrated her distinctive allure, with lyrics referencing her famously expressive eyes. Davis loved the song and praised it for making her "part of modern history."

Davis has been featured or referenced in numerous biographies and memoirs about Hollywood, including The Divine Feud by Shaun Considine, which focuses on her relationship with Joan Crawford.

In several episodes of The Simpsons, Davis is referenced as a cultural touchstone, including nods to her films and rivalry with Joan Crawford.

ACHIEVEMENTS Davis was a trailblazer, becoming the first person to receive ten Oscar nominations and cementing her legacy as a Hollywood legend. Her career continues to influence and inspire actors and filmmakers worldwide.

She won Oscars for Dangerous (1935) and Jezebel (1938).

Source Sister Celluloid