Bette Davis

On Screen

Davis was renowned for her intense, naturalistic acting style that emphasized psychological realism and emotional authenticity. She employed a distinctive method of physical transformation for each role, including changes in posture, voice, and mannerisms that completely immersed her in character. Her technique involved studying her characters' motivations deeply and bringing a fierce intelligence and often abrasive edge to her performances. Davis was known for her willingness to appear unglamorous when the role demanded it, and her eyes became her most expressive feature, capable of conveying complex emotions with remarkable subtlety. She pioneered a style of acting that balanced theatrical intensity with psychological depth, influencing generations of actors who followed.

Milestones

• First major critical acclaim in Of Human Bondage (1934)
• Academy Award for Best Actress for Dangerous (1935)
• Academy Award for Best Actress for Jezebel (1938)
• First actor to receive ten Academy Award nominations
• Iconic role as Margo Channing in All About Eve (1950)
• Career revival with Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
• First female president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
• AFI Life Achievement Award recipient (1977)

Impact on Culture

Bette Davis revolutionized the portrayal of women in American cinema by bringing unprecedented complexity, intelligence, and psychological depth to her characters. Her willingness to play unsympathetic, morally ambiguous women challenged Hollywood's traditional gender roles and paved the way for more realistic female characters. Davis became an icon of female empowerment, embodying strength, independence, and resilience both on screen and off. Her famous feud with Joan Crawford and their collaboration in Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? created a new genre of 'psycho-biddy' films that explored aging and female rivalry. Davis's distinctive style, from her clipped New England accent to her expressive eyes, influenced generations of actors and became deeply embedded in popular culture. She also broke barriers as the first female president of the Academy, though her tenure was brief due to her confrontational style. Her legacy includes inspiring countless actresses to demand better roles and greater creative control in an industry dominated by male power structures.

Lasting Legacy

Bette Davis's legacy endures as one of cinema's most formidable talents and a cultural icon who transcended her era. Her filmography contains some of the most acclaimed performances in film history, with All About Eve's Margo Channing ranking among the greatest characterizations ever captured on screen. Davis's influence extends beyond her films to her impact on acting technique, her role in establishing actors' rights within the studio system, and her status as a feminist icon. Her famous quote 'Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy night' has become part of the cultural lexicon, and her life story has inspired numerous books, documentaries, and even a Broadway show. Davis's willingness to age on screen and tackle difficult roles in her later years set a precedent for actresses working past their youth. Today, she is remembered not just as a brilliant actress but as a pioneer who fought for artistic integrity and professional respect in an industry that often marginalized women. Her work continues to be studied in film schools and celebrated in retrospectives worldwide.

Who They Inspired

Davis's naturalistic, psychologically intense acting style influenced method actors like Marlon Brando and Montgomery Clift who followed her. Her technique of completely transforming herself for each role, both physically and emotionally, became a model for serious dramatic actors. Davis's business acumen and willingness to battle studios for better roles and creative control paved the way for later stars to demand more power in Hollywood. Her success in playing unsympathetic characters without compromising audience sympathy demonstrated the commercial viability of complex female protagonists. Contemporary actresses from Meryl Streep to Cate Blanchett have cited Davis as an influence, particularly her technical precision and emotional range. The 'Bette Davis eyes' became a cultural reference point for expressive acting, and her impact extends to fashion, with her distinctive style influencing designers and vintage enthusiasts. Davis's career longevity and ability to reinvent herself inspired later actors to pursue diverse roles throughout their careers rather than being typecast.

Education

Attended Cushing Academy in Ashburnham, Massachusetts; studied drama at the John Murray Anderson School of Theatre in New York City

Family

• Harmon Oscar Nelson Jr. (1932-1938)
• Arthur Farnsworth (1940-1943, his death)
• William Grant Sherry (1945-1950)
• Gary Merrill (1950-1960)