Often referred to as "The First
Lady of the American Screen," Bette Davis created a new kind of screen heroine. She was a liberated woman in an industry dominated
by men. She was known as an actress that could play a variety of difficult and powerful roles, and because of this she set
a new standard for women on the big screen. Independent off-screen as well, her battles with studio bigwigs were legendary.
With a career spanning six decades, few in the history of film rival her longevity and appeal. Bette Davis was born Ruth Davis
April 5, 1908 in Lowell, Massachusetts. Just before her 10th birthday, Bette's father, Harlow, left the family. Although she
had little money, her mother, Ruthie, sent Bette and her sister to boarding school. Upon graduating Cushing Academy, Bette
enrolled in John Murray Anderson's Dramatic School. In 1929, she made her Broadway debut in Broken Dishes. She also landed
a role in Solid South. In 1930, she moved to Hollywood to screen test for Universal. Six small films later, Bette's contract
with Universal was not renewed. She wanted to go back to Broadway, but a phone call from Warner Brothers quickly changed her
mind. In 1932, she signed a seven-year contract with Warner Brothers. The film The Man Who Played God (1932) landed Bette
on the path to stardom. She was a smash when she was lent out to RKO for the role of Mildred in Of Human Bondage (1934), her
first critically acclaimed hit. Her role in Dangerous (1935) led to her nomination for a Best Actress Oscar. She became the
first Warner Brothers actress to win the coveted award. Despite her success, Warner Brothers continued to offer Bette unsatisfactory
roles. In 1936, she challenged the studio by going to England to make pictures. Jack Warner sued her, and she was forced to
honor her contract. Upon her return, however, Bette was offered a new contract and better roles. In 1939, Bette won her second
Oscar for Jezebel (1938). She also received Oscar nominations the next five years in a row. Although she earned a reputation
for being difficult to work with, Bette set a new precedent for women. By 1942, she was the highest paid woman in America.
Bette contributed to the war effort by helping to organize the Hollywood Canteen during World War II for soldiers passing
through Los Angeles. Inspired by New York's Stage Door Canteen, Bette transformed a once-abandoned nightclub into an inspiring
entertainment facility. "There are few accomplishments in my life that I am sincerely proud of. The Hollywood Canteen is one
of them," Bette later commented. In 1980, she was awarded the Distinguished Civilian Service Medal, the Defense Department's
highest civilian award, for running the Hollywood Canteen. Bette made a roaring comeback with her role as Margo Channing in
All About Eve (1950), and she received her eighth Academy Award nomination. Her career was resuscitated again in 1962 with
Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? Soon after, Bette began her second career as a horror maven and continued to welcome new opportunities
with television appearances. In 1987, Bette played a blind woman in The Whales of August, co-starring Lillian Gish. Davis's
personal life was as dramatic as her acting. She was married four times. She had a daughter, B.D., with her third husband,
William Grant Sherry. She adopted two children, Margot and Michael, while married to her fourth husband, Gary Merrill. With
a career total of more than 100 films, Bette changed the way Hollywood looked at actresses. In 1977, she was the first woman
to be honored with the American Film Institute's Lifetime Achievement Award. She was also the first woman to be president
of the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences. At the age of 75, Bette had a mastectomy due to breast cancer. Nine days
later, she suffered a stroke. Despite her failing health, she continued to act until her death. Bette passed away October
6, 1989 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France. Michael Merrill, Bette's son, and Kathryn Sermak, Bette's personal assistant and friend,
are now the executors of her estate. In her memory, they have created The Bette Davis Foundation, which provides financial
assistance to promising young actors and actresses. Meryl Streep received the first Bette Davis Lifetime Achievement Award
at Boston University in 1988.
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