Bette Davis
Movie Actress
Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis was an American actress with a career spanning more than 50 years and 100 acting credits.
About
Ruth Elizabeth Davis, known as Bette Davis, was born on April 5th, 1908 in Lowell, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of Harlow Morrell Davis and Ruth Augusta Favius. Her parents separated when she was a child and she lived with her mother in New York City.
Davis attended boarding school and studied art and literature at Cushing Academy, before enrolling at John Murray Anderson's Dramatic School. After graduating she began pursuing a career as an actress in New York City. She made her Broadway debut in 1929 in "Broken Dishes" and soon after moved to Hollywood to pursue a career in motion pictures.
In 1930 Davis signed with Universal Pictures and appeared in numerous films over the next few years such as “The Bad Sister” (1931), “Hell’s House” (1932) and “Three on a Match” (1932). In 1935 she starred opposite Leslie Howard in “Of Human Bondage” which earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. That same year she also co-starred alongside Errol Flynn in “Captain Blood” which became one of the biggest box office successes of the decade.
In 1938 Davis won the Best Actress Oscar for her performance as Julie Marsden in “Jezebel”. Throughout the 1940s she delivered some of her most iconic performances including “The Little Foxes” (1941), “Now, Voyager” (1942) and “All About Eve” (1950). Her performance as Margo Channing in the latter earned her another Oscar nomination for Best Actress. Through out the 1950s Davis continued to star in both commercial hits such as “Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte” (1964) and critical successes such as “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?” (1962).
Davis retired from acting in 1983 but remained active by attending film festivals and events until she passed away due to breast cancer on October 6th 1989. She left behind an incredible legacy that continues to live on through her work today.
Life Timeline
<div id="" class="timeline-item"><p id="" class="timeline-year">1908</p><h3 id="" class="timeline-title">Bette Davis is Born</h3><p id="" class="timeline-text">On April 5, 1908, Ruth Elizabeth Davis was born in Lowell, Massachusetts.</p></div>
<div id="" class="timeline-item"><p id="" class="timeline-year">1929</p><h3 id="" class="timeline-title">Broadway Debut</h3><p id="" class="timeline-text">Makes her Broadway debut in the play "Broken Dishes".</p></div>
<div id="" class="timeline-item"><p id="" class="timeline-year">1931</p><h3 id="" class="timeline-title">Signs Contract with Universal Studios</h3><p id="" class="timeline-text">Signs a contract with Universal Studios and begins appearing in supporting roles.</p></div>
<div id="" class="timeline-item"><p id="" class="timeline-year">1935</p><h3 id="" class="timeline-title">Wins Oscar for Best Actress</h3><p id="" class="timeline-text">Wins the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in "Dangerous".</p></div>
<div id="" class="timeline-item"><p id="" class="timeline-year">1937</p><h3 id="" class="timeline-title">Starring Role in "Jezebel"</h3><p id="" class="timeline-text">Gains recognition for her performance in the film "Jezebel", for which she receives another Oscar.</p></div>
<div id="" class="timeline-item"><p id="" class="timeline-year">1956</p><h3 id="" class="timeline-title">Achieves AFI Lifetime Achievement Award</h3><p id="" class="timeline-text">Receives the American Film Institute's Life Achievement Award, becoming the first woman to do so.</p></div>
<div id="" class="timeline-item"><p id="" class="timeline-year">1989</p><h3 id="" class="timeline-title">Passing of Bette Davis</h3><p id="" class="timeline-text">Bette Davis passes away on October 6, 1989 at the age of 81.</p></div>
Why We Love Them
<div id="" class="whywelove-item"><h3 id="" class="whywelove-title"><span class="whywelove-leter">A.</span> She was a Pioneer in Hollywood</h3><p id="" class="whywelove-text">Bette Davis was one of the first women to star in major motion pictures and she paved the way for future generations of female actors. Her tenacity and determination were unparalleled, and she broke down barriers that had been in place for decades.</p></div>
<div id="" class="whywelove-item"><h3 id="" class="whywelove-title"><span class="whywelove-leter">B.</span> She Was an Incredible Actress</h3><p id="" class="whywelove-text">Bette Davis was an incredible actress who won two Academy Awards and was nominated for 10 more. She brought a unique energy and intensity to her performances that few other actors could match, and she set a high bar for those who would come after her.</p></div>
<div id="" class="whywelove-item"><h3 id="" class="whywelove-title"><span class="whywelove-leter">C.</span> She Was One of a Kind</h3><p id="" class="whywelove-text">Bette Davis was truly one of a kind. Not only did she have an outstanding career as an actor but she also broke the mold when it came to being a female in Hollywood. Her strong personality, wit, and charm are still remembered today.</p></div>
Interesting Facts
<div id="" class="facts-item"><h3 id="" class="facts-title"><span class="facts-number">1.</span> First Female President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences</h3><p id="" class="facts-text">Bette Davis was the first female president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, serving from 1941 to 1945.</p></div>
<div id="" class="facts-item"><h3 id="" class="facts-title"><span class="facts-number">2.</span> Received an Oscar Nomination Every Decade</h3><p id="" class="facts-text">Bette Davis received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress every decade from 1930s to 1960s. She won two awards for her roles in Dangerous (1935) and Jezebel (1938).</p></div>
<div id="" class="facts-item"><h3 id="" class="facts-title"><span class="facts-number">3.</span> Started Acting at Age 10</h3><p id="" class="facts-text">Bette Davis started acting in school plays at the age of 10. She made her Broadway debut in 1929 and her film debut in 1931.</p></div>
<div id="" class="facts-item"><h3 id="" class="facts-title"><span class="facts-number">4.</span> Appeared in Over 100 Films</h3><p id="" class="facts-text">Bette Davis appeared in over 100 films during her career, spanning nearly five decades. Some of her most iconic roles include All About Eve (1950), What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962), and The Virgin Queen (1955).</p></div>
<div id="" class="facts-item"><h3 id="" class="facts-title"><span class="facts-number">5.</span> Honored with a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame</h3><p id="" class="facts-text">In 1960, Bette Davis was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She is one of only a few actresses to have this honor.</p></div>
FAQs
