Bette Davis

Bette Davis

Acting
Born 1908-04-05 - Died 1989-10-06Lowell, Massachusetts, USA

Biography

Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis (April 5, 1908 – October 6, 1989) was an American actress of film, television and theater. Noted for her willingness to play unsympathetic characters, she was highly regarded for her performances in a range of film genres; from contemporary crime melodramas to historical and period films and occasional comedies, though her greatest successes were her roles in romantic dramas. After appearing in Broadway plays, Davis moved to Hollywood in 1930, but her early films for Universal Studios were unsuccessful. She joined Warner Bros. in 1932 and established her career with several critically acclaimed performances. In 1937, she attempted to free herself from her contract and although she lost a well-publicized legal case, it marked the beginning of the most successful period of her career. Until the late 1940s, she was one of American cinema's most celebrated leading ladies, known for her forceful and intense style. Davis gained a reputation as a perfectionist who could be highly combative, and confrontations with studio executives, film directors and costars were often reported. Her forthright manner, clipped vocal style and ubiquitous cigarette contributed to a public persona which has often been imitated and satirized. Davis was the co-founder of the Hollywood Canteen, and was the first female president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. She won the Academy Award for Best Actress twice, was the first person to accrue 10 Academy Award nominations for acting, and was the first woman to receive a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Film Institute. Her career went through several periods of eclipse, and she admitted that her success had often been at the expense of her personal relationships. Married four times, she was once widowed and thrice divorced, and raised her children as a single parent. Her final years were marred by a long period of ill health, but she continued acting until shortly before her death from breast cancer, with more than 100 films, television and theater roles to her credit. In 1999, Davis was placed second, after Katharine Hepburn, on the American Film Institute's list of the greatest female stars of all time.

Movies (183)

Death on the Nile
7.2

Death on the Nile

1978Movie7.2
Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid
6.6

Dead Men Don't Wear Plaid

1982Movie6.6
All About Eve
8.1

All About Eve

1950Movie8.1
Of Human Bondage
6.5

Of Human Bondage

1934Movie6.5
Now, Voyager
7.4

Now, Voyager

1942Movie7.4
Mr. Skeffington
6.8

Mr. Skeffington

1944Movie6.8
The Letter
7.3

The Letter

1940Movie7.3
The Little Foxes
7.5

The Little Foxes

1941Movie7.5
Wicked Stepmother
4.6

Wicked Stepmother

1989Movie4.6
What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
7.9

What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?

1962Movie7.9
Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte
7.3

Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte

1964Movie7.3
20,000 Years in Sing Sing
6.4

20,000 Years in Sing Sing

1932Movie6.4
The Catered Affair
7.2

The Catered Affair

1956Movie7.2
Pocketful of Miracles
7.3

Pocketful of Miracles

1961Movie7.3
Hammer: The Studio That Dripped Blood
6.4

Hammer: The Studio That Dripped Blood

1987Movie6.4
The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies
8.0

The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies

1995Movie8.0
Special Agent
6.2

Special Agent

1935Movie6.2
The Old Maid
7.0

The Old Maid

1939Movie7.0
Housewife
7.3

Housewife

1934Movie7.3
Burnt Offerings
6.5

Burnt Offerings

1976Movie6.5
The Watcher in the Woods
5.9

The Watcher in the Woods

1980Movie5.9
Jezebel
7.0

Jezebel

1938Movie7.0
The Corn Is Green
7.2

The Corn Is Green

1945Movie7.2
Morceaux de Cannes
2.0

Morceaux de Cannes

2021Movie2.0
Watch on the Rhine
6.9

Watch on the Rhine

1943Movie6.9
June Bride
7.1

June Bride

1948Movie7.1
The Scapegoat
6.8

The Scapegoat

1959Movie6.8
Marilyn Monroe: Beyond the Legend
7.4

Marilyn Monroe: Beyond the Legend

1986Movie7.4
Return from Witch Mountain
5.9

Return from Witch Mountain

1978Movie5.9
Hollywood Canteen
7.3

Hollywood Canteen

1944Movie7.3
Breakdowns of 1942
6.0

Breakdowns of 1942

1942Movie6.0
Deception
6.7

Deception

1946Movie6.7
Mike Wallace Is Here
6.5

Mike Wallace Is Here

2019Movie6.5
The Fabulous Allan Carr
5.0

The Fabulous Allan Carr

2017Movie5.0
The Virgin Queen
7.0

The Virgin Queen

1955Movie7.0
Another Man's Poison
6.8

Another Man's Poison

1951Movie6.8
Parachute Jumper
5.9

Parachute Jumper

1933Movie5.9
Night of 100 Stars
5.8

Night of 100 Stars

1982Movie5.8
Ex-Lady
6.3

Ex-Lady

1933Movie6.3
Complicated Women
6.9

Complicated Women

2003Movie6.9
Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood
5.9

Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood

2018Movie5.9
The Judge and Jake Wyler
2.5

The Judge and Jake Wyler

1972Movie2.5
Hollywood's Funniest All-Star Bloopers
2.0

Hollywood's Funniest All-Star Bloopers

1985Movie2.0
Juarez
6.5

Juarez

1939Movie6.5
Marked Woman
6.6

Marked Woman

1937Movie6.6
The Petrified Forest
7.1

The Petrified Forest

1936Movie7.1
Dark Victory
6.9

Dark Victory

1939Movie6.9
Madame Sin
7.2

Madame Sin

1972Movie7.2
Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage
7.0

Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage

1983Movie7.0
John Paul Jones
6.0

John Paul Jones

1959Movie6.0
The Silver Screen: Color Me Lavender
5.3

The Silver Screen: Color Me Lavender

1997Movie5.3
That Certain Woman
5.6

That Certain Woman

1937Movie5.6
The Man Who Came to Dinner
7.0

The Man Who Came to Dinner

1941Movie7.0
The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind
8.2

The Making of a Legend: Gone with the Wind

1988Movie8.2
Dead Ringer
6.9

Dead Ringer

1964Movie6.9
Showbiz Goes to War
10.0

Showbiz Goes to War

1982Movie10.0
Way Back Home
6.3

Way Back Home

1931Movie6.3
Waterloo Bridge
6.9

Waterloo Bridge

1931Movie6.9
Kid Galahad
7.1

Kid Galahad

1937Movie7.1
Goldwyn: The Man and His Movies
8.5

Goldwyn: The Man and His Movies

2001Movie8.5
A Stolen Life
6.4

A Stolen Life

1946Movie6.4
The Scopone Game
7.4

The Scopone Game

1972Movie7.4
Three on a Match
6.3

Three on a Match

1932Movie6.3
The Star
7.2

The Star

1952Movie7.2
Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema
4.3

Why Be Good?: Sexuality & Censorship in Early Cinema

2007Movie4.3
Breakdowns of 1938
5.8

Breakdowns of 1938

1938Movie5.8
Breakdowns of 1939
6.5

Breakdowns of 1939

1939Movie6.5
Payment on Demand
6.2

Payment on Demand

1951Movie6.2
Old Acquaintance
7.1

Old Acquaintance

1943Movie7.1
All This, and Heaven Too
7.2

All This, and Heaven Too

1940Movie7.2
The Bride Came C.O.D.
7.0

The Bride Came C.O.D.

1941Movie7.0
Legends in Light: The Photography of George Hurrell
2.0

Legends in Light: The Photography of George Hurrell

1995Movie2.0
Jimmy the Gent
6.4

Jimmy the Gent

1934Movie6.4
Natalie - A Tribute to a Very Special Lady
6.0

Natalie - A Tribute to a Very Special Lady

1982Movie6.0
The Golden Arrow
6.3

The Golden Arrow

1936Movie6.3
Bette Davis

Bette Davis

1972Movie
Fashions of 1934
6.6

Fashions of 1934

1934Movie6.6
Phone Call from a Stranger
6.4

Phone Call from a Stranger

1952Movie6.4
Going Hollywood: The '30s
9.0

Going Hollywood: The '30s

1984Movie9.0
The Nanny
7.0

The Nanny

1965Movie7.0
The Great Lie
7.0

The Great Lie

1941Movie7.0
Smothered: The Censorship Struggles of the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
4.5

Smothered: The Censorship Struggles of the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour

2002Movie4.5
The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex
6.3

The Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex

1939Movie6.3
Madonna: Madame X
7.8

Madonna: Madame X

2021Movie7.8
Directed by William Wyler

Directed by William Wyler

1986Movie
Cavalcade of the Academy Awards
6.3

Cavalcade of the Academy Awards

1940Movie6.3
The Horror Show
3.4

The Horror Show

1979Movie3.4
Oops, Those Hollywood Bloopers!
6.0

Oops, Those Hollywood Bloopers!

1982Movie6.0
In This Our Life
6.9

In This Our Life

1942Movie6.9
Shining Victory
6.1

Shining Victory

1941Movie6.1
The Sisters
6.1

The Sisters

1938Movie6.1
The Disappearance of Aimee
8.7

The Disappearance of Aimee

1976Movie8.7
The Working Man
6.5

The Working Man

1933Movie6.5
The Anniversary
6.6

The Anniversary

1968Movie6.6
The Adventures of Errol Flynn
7.7

The Adventures of Errol Flynn

2005Movie7.7
It's Love I'm After
7.1

It's Love I'm After

1937Movie7.1
Murder with Mirrors
6.5

Murder with Mirrors

1985Movie6.5
1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year
7.5

1939: Hollywood's Greatest Year

2009Movie7.5
Classic Movie Bloopers: Uncensored
5.5

Classic Movie Bloopers: Uncensored

2013Movie5.5
The Bad Sister
5.6

The Bad Sister

1931Movie5.6
A Day at Santa Anita
6.0

A Day at Santa Anita

1937Movie6.0
The Whales of August
7.0

The Whales of August

1987Movie7.0
Thank Your Lucky Stars
6.2

Thank Your Lucky Stars

1943Movie6.2
Vito
7.0

Vito

2011Movie7.0
The Rich Are Always with Us
5.3

The Rich Are Always with Us

1932Movie5.3
Marlon Brando: An Actor Named Desire
7.2

Marlon Brando: An Actor Named Desire

2014Movie7.2
Breakdowns of 1944
6.5

Breakdowns of 1944

1944Movie6.5
Listen to Me Marlon
7.5

Listen to Me Marlon

2015Movie7.5
Storm Center
6.9

Storm Center

1956Movie6.9
Joan Crawford: Always the Star
7.5

Joan Crawford: Always the Star

1996Movie7.5
Mickey's 50
9.0

Mickey's 50

1978Movie9.0
Satan Met a Lady
5.8

Satan Met a Lady

1936Movie5.8
The Big Shakedown
5.9

The Big Shakedown

1934Movie5.9
The Man Who Played God
7.2

The Man Who Played God

1932Movie7.2
The Men Who Made the Movies: King Vidor
6.5

The Men Who Made the Movies: King Vidor

1973Movie6.5
Front Page Woman
5.9

Front Page Woman

1935Movie5.9
Miss Moffat

Miss Moffat

1974Movie
South of Reno
4.9

South of Reno

1988Movie4.9
The 42nd Street Special
5.6

The 42nd Street Special

1933Movie5.6
Bureau of Missing Persons
5.7

Bureau of Missing Persons

1933Movie5.7
Fog Over Frisco
6.4

Fog Over Frisco

1934Movie6.4
Right of Way
7.4

Right of Way

1983Movie7.4
Dangerous
6.6

Dangerous

1935Movie6.6
The Cabin in the Cotton
6.3

The Cabin in the Cotton

1932Movie6.3
The Dark Horse
7.4

The Dark Horse

1932Movie7.4
White Mama
8.0

White Mama

1980Movie8.0
Where Love Has Gone
6.1

Where Love Has Gone

1964Movie6.1
A Piano for Mrs. Cimino
7.6

A Piano for Mrs. Cimino

1982Movie7.6
So Big!
5.8

So Big!

1932Movie5.8
Bunny O'Hare
5.4

Bunny O'Hare

1971Movie5.4
Biography: Bette Davis — If Looks Could Kill

Biography: Bette Davis — If Looks Could Kill

1994Movie
Breakdowns of 1941
7.0

Breakdowns of 1941

1941Movie7.0
Skyward
7.1

Skyward

1980Movie7.1
The Petrified Forest: Menace in the Desert
7.5

The Petrified Forest: Menace in the Desert

2005Movie7.5
Marilyn at the Movies

Marilyn at the Movies

2011Movie
The Voice That Thrilled the World
6.0

The Voice That Thrilled the World

1943Movie6.0
Frank Capra's American Dream
6.3

Frank Capra's American Dream

1997Movie6.3
This Is Joan Collins
7.2

This Is Joan Collins

2022Movie7.2
All About Bette
7.5

All About Bette

1994Movie7.5
Beyond the Forest
6.7

Beyond the Forest

1949Movie6.7
Hello Mother, Goodbye!
6.0

Hello Mother, Goodbye!

1974Movie6.0
Connecting Rooms
5.8

Connecting Rooms

1970Movie5.8
As Summers Die
6.4

As Summers Die

1986Movie6.4
The Menace
5.6

The Menace

1932Movie5.6
Breakdowns of 1949
6.0

Breakdowns of 1949

1949Movie6.0
The Empty Canvas
6.0

The Empty Canvas

1963Movie6.0
Hairway to the Stars
7.0

Hairway to the Stars

1989Movie7.0
The Decorator
6.0

The Decorator

1965Movie6.0
The Girl from 10th Avenue
6.8

The Girl from 10th Avenue

1935Movie6.8
Backstory: 'All About Eve'
9.0

Backstory: 'All About Eve'

2000Movie9.0
Strangers: The Story of a Mother and Daughter
9.4

Strangers: The Story of a Mother and Daughter

1979Movie9.4
Bette Davis: The Benevolent Volcano
7.8

Bette Davis: The Benevolent Volcano

1983Movie7.8
Intimate Portrait: Bette Davis
8.0

Intimate Portrait: Bette Davis

1996Movie8.0
The Travels of Kinuyo Tanaka
4.0

The Travels of Kinuyo Tanaka

2009Movie4.0
Death on the Nile: Making of Featurette
7.0

Death on the Nile: Making of Featurette

1978Movie7.0
Just Around the Corner
6.0

Just Around the Corner

1933Movie6.0
Stardust: The Bette Davis Story
6.6

Stardust: The Bette Davis Story

2006Movie6.6
Family Reunion
8.0

Family Reunion

1981Movie8.0
Screen Snapshots (Series 16, No. 1)
6.0

Screen Snapshots (Series 16, No. 1)

1936Movie6.0
Bette and Joan

Bette and Joan

2017Movie
Leslie Howard: The Man Who Gave a Damn
9.0

Leslie Howard: The Man Who Gave a Damn

2015Movie9.0
Footsteps on the Ceiling

Footsteps on the Ceiling

2013Movie
A Dream Comes True
6.3

A Dream Comes True

1935Movie6.3
Showbiz Ballyhoo

Showbiz Ballyhoo

1982Movie
Breakdowns of 1937
6.0

Breakdowns of 1937

1937Movie6.0
Scream, Pretty Peggy
6.2

Scream, Pretty Peggy

1973Movie6.2
Show-Business at War
7.0

Show-Business at War

1943Movie7.0
Hell's House
5.3

Hell's House

1932Movie5.3
Seed
6.5

Seed

1931Movie6.5
Bordertown
5.9

Bordertown

1935Movie5.9
Winter Meeting
6.6

Winter Meeting

1948Movie6.6
Stars on Horseback
5.0

Stars on Horseback

1943Movie5.0
If I Forget You
6.3

If I Forget You

1940Movie6.3
Breakdowns of 1936

Breakdowns of 1936

1936Movie
Dick Powell and Joan Blondell home movies: "No. 1, From beginning"

Dick Powell and Joan Blondell home movies: "No. 1, From beginning"

1936Movie
Jezebel: Legend of the South
7.0

Jezebel: Legend of the South

2006Movie7.0
Bette Davis: Larger Than Life
6.0

Bette Davis: Larger Than Life

2017Movie6.0
A Present with a Future
7.0

A Present with a Future

1943Movie7.0
Bette and Joan: Blind Ambition
6.7

Bette and Joan: Blind Ambition

2006Movie6.7
Bride of Trailer Camp

Bride of Trailer Camp

2001Movie
Queer Icon: The Cult of Bette Davis

Queer Icon: The Cult of Bette Davis

2009Movie
Bette Davis at the Cinémathèque Française

Bette Davis at the Cinémathèque Française

1986Movie
How Real is 'The Star'?
6.0

How Real is 'The Star'?

2005Movie6.0

TV Shows (42)

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
7.5

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

1962Series7.5
Perry Mason
7.7

Perry Mason

1957Series7.7
The Mike Douglas Show
5.8

The Mike Douglas Show

1961Series5.8
Golden Globe Awards
7.0

Golden Globe Awards

1944Series7.0
Wagon Train
6.6

Wagon Train

1957Series6.6
The Merv Griffin Show
6.8

The Merv Griffin Show

1962Series6.8
The Virginian
6.5

The Virginian

1962Series6.5
Tony Awards

Tony Awards

1956Series
Late Night with David Letterman
6.1

Late Night with David Letterman

1982Series6.1
Intimate Portrait
4.5

Intimate Portrait

1993Series4.5
Film '72
5.1

Film '72

1971Series5.1
Hotel
6.8

Hotel

1982Series6.8
What's My Line?
7.0

What's My Line?

1950Series7.0
Gunsmoke
6.7

Gunsmoke

1955Series6.7
The Dick Cavett Show
6.8

The Dick Cavett Show

1968Series6.8
Dinah!
7.0

Dinah!

1974Series7.0
Telephone Time
6.5

Telephone Time

1956Series6.5
The Oscars
7.0

The Oscars

1953Series7.0
It Takes a Thief
7.2

It Takes a Thief

1968Series7.2
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
7.8

Alfred Hitchcock Presents

1955Series7.8
The 20th Century Fox Hour
6.0

The 20th Century Fox Hour

1955Series6.0
The Ford Television Theatre
7.8

The Ford Television Theatre

1952Series7.8
Suspicion
6.2

Suspicion

1957Series6.2
The Dinah Shore Chevy Show
6.4

The Dinah Shore Chevy Show

1956Series6.4
The DuPont Show with June Allyson
6.8

The DuPont Show with June Allyson

1959Series6.8
The Kennedy Center Honors
7.4

The Kennedy Center Honors

1978Series7.4
The Hollywood Palace
5.0

The Hollywood Palace

1964Series5.0
The World of Hammer
6.8

The World of Hammer

1994Series6.8
V.I.P. Schaukel
8.0

V.I.P. Schaukel

1971Series8.0
Talking Pictures
6.2

Talking Pictures

2013Series6.2
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour
7.5

The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour

1967Series7.5
The American Film Institute Salute to ...
6.3

The American Film Institute Salute to ...

1973Series6.3
Reflets de Cannes
5.0

Reflets de Cannes

1954Series5.0
Family Reunion
9.0

Family Reunion

1981Series9.0
General Electric Theater
6.8

General Electric Theater

1953Series6.8
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars
7.2

Schlitz Playhouse of Stars

1951Series7.2
Laugh-In
6.6

Laugh-In

1977Series6.6
The Dark Secret of Harvest Home
7.8

The Dark Secret of Harvest Home

1978Series7.8
Hello Mother, Goodbye!
7.5

Hello Mother, Goodbye!

1974Series7.5
Hallmark Hall of Fame
8.8

Hallmark Hall of Fame

1951Series8.8
Little Gloria... Happy at Last
5.8

Little Gloria... Happy at Last

1982Series5.8
1939: Secrets of Hollywood's Golden Year
5.7

1939: Secrets of Hollywood's Golden Year

2023Series5.7