“Bette Davis Eyes” - Bette Davis - Uncategorized Charese Mongiello Official Website

Bette Davis’s full name is Ruth Elizabeth Bette Davis. She was one of the few actresses whose career lasted over 50 years. There were more than 100 acting credits she had.

She was born on 5th April 1908. She was a law student. She changed her first name to Bette because of Bette Fischer who was a character in La Cousine Bette. She was a portrait photographer and even a girl scout. Thereafter, she went to Cushing Academy where she met her future Harmon O. Nelson.

Bette Davis Career

She then auditioned for many theatres. While applying at Manhattan Civic Repertory, she was rejected for being insincere and frivolous. She auditioned for the stock theater company. They were not very impressed but still offered her a paid role as a chorus girl.

After doing several roles, she went to Universal Studio for an audition but was rejected because she didn’t look like an actress. There was a second test arranged for her but was rejected due to her poor clothing. The director even passed a bad comment.

The studio was about to cancel her tests but Karl Freund loved her eyes and gave her a role in “Bad Sister”. It wasn’t a big success. Thereafter, she got a role in “Seed”. Due to this, Universal Studio extended her contract for a few more months. She then started appearing in a few films but all of them were a flop. She dedicated not to renewing the contract.

Davis was about to leave for New York but got a new lead role in “The Man Who Played God”. George Arliss had chosen her. This was her big break in Hollywood. It was a Warner Bros Picture and they signed her for a 5 years contract.
She then started getting a lot of films and started her career. Her breakthrough was also because of a vulgar waitress role in “Of Human Bondage”. She was mostly known for her intense acting skills.

Bette Davis Facts

As mentioned before, Bette was taken from a novel. She got very inspired by the novel that took the character’s name. She got the role in “All About Eve” at the last moment because Colbert had a back injury and had to leave the film.
Her famous rivalry was with Joan Crawford. She mocked her many times. Jan was the widow of Pepsi’s CEO. So, Davis installed a coke machine at her set where Crawford was the co-star.
She broke many records and got many awards for the same. She was in fact, the most nominated actress for Oscar.
Bette was in the film industry mostly because of her eyes. Donna Weiss and Jackie DeShannon even wrote a song about her eyes named “Bette Davis Eyes” which was one of the most favorite songs of Bette Davis.

Last Days of Bette

She once collapsed during the American Cinema Awards in 1989. After a medical examination, it turned out that the cancer was returned. She pretty much recovered and went to Spain where her health became worst. She was admitted to France and died on October 6, 1989, due to Breast Cancer.