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Bette Davis Biography

Birth Name:Ruth Elizabeth Davis

Birth Place:Lowell, Massachusetts, United States

Profession Actress, Soundtrack, Producer, Make up department

Fast Facts

Received the Department of Defense's Distinguished Civilian Service Medal for founding the Hollywood Canteen during World War II
Was the first woman to receive the American Film Institute Lifetime Achievement Award
Studied acting at the John Murray Anderson School of the Theatre
Got her start in acting on Broadway in the production "Broken Dishes" in 1929
Quote: "[On dreams] "To fulfill a dream, to be allowed to sweat over lonely labor, to be given a chance to create, is the meat and potatoes of life․ The money is the gravy․""
Quote: "[On her reputation] "Until you're known in my profession as a monster, you're not a star․""
Well known for portraying powerful, assertive characters
Had the words "She did it the hard way" engraved on her tombstone
Was a drama school classmate of Lucille Ball

Awards

1934Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (September): winner
1935Oscar-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
1935Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (August): winner
1936Oscar-Best Actress in a Leading Role: winner
1936Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (March): winner
1937Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (October): winner
1937Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (July): winner
1937Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (May): winner
1937Volpi Cup-Best Actress: winner
1938Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (December): winner
1938Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (May): winner
1939Oscar-Best Actress in a Leading Role: winner
1939NBR Award-Best Acting: winner
1939NYFCC Award-Best Actress: nominated
1939Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (December): winner
1939Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (May): winner
1939Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (July): winner
1939Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (October): winner
1940Oscar-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
1940Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (August): winner
1941Oscar-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
1941NBR Award-Best Acting: winner
1941Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (February): winner
1941Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (November): winner
1941Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (July): winner
1941Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (September): winner
1942Oscar-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
1942Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (December): winner
1943Oscar-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
1944Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (February): winner
1944Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (September): winner
1945Oscar-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
1945Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (July): winner
1945Gold Medal-Best Actress: winner
1946Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (August): winner
1947Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (January): winner
1950NYFCC Award-Best Actress: winner
1950Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (December): winner
1951Oscar-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
1951Best Actress-: winner
1951Golden Globe-Best Actress - Drama: nominated
1951Photoplay Award-Best Performances of the Month (May): winner
1951Gold Medal-Most Popular Female Star: nominated
1951Gold Medal-Best Actress: nominated
1952Silver Ribbon-Best Foreign Actress (Migliore Attrice Straniera): winner
1953Oscar-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
1962Golden Globe-Best Actress - Comedy or Musical: nominated
1963Oscar-Best Actress in a Leading Role: nominated
1963Golden Globe-Best Actress - Drama: nominated
1963Golden Laurel-Top Female Dramatic Performance: nominated
1963Most Popular Female Star-: winner
1964BAFTA Film Award-Best Foreign Actress: nominated
1965Golden Laurel-Dramatic Performance, Female: winner
1977Golden Scroll-Best Supporting Actress: winner
1979Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Special: winner
1980Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Special: nominated
1983Golden Nymph-Best Actress: winner
1983Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Special: nominated
1984ACE-Actress in a Dramatic or Theatrical Program: nominated
1987ACE-Actress in a Movie or Miniseries: nominated
2022OFTA Film Hall of Fame-Character: winner