According to her last will and testament, Bette's estate was worth $1 Million. The bulk of the estate was left to her adopted son, Michael Merrill. The other beneficiary was her close friend and assistant Kathryn Sermack. Her daughters and grandchildren had been intentionally disinherited.

Who inherited Bette Davis fortune?

B. D.'s brother through adoption, Michael Merrill, ended contact with B.D., and refused to speak to her again. Bette Davis disinherited B. D. and her grandchildren; her estate was instead divided between her adopted son Michael Merrill and her assistant Kathryn Sermak.

How much was Bette Davis paid for Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?

Even though she liked the part of Baby Jane, Bette played hardball when negotiating with the director and asked for two things: top billing and more money than Crawford. Davis received $60,000 for the role.

Did Bette Davis give birth to any of her children?

In 1947, at the age of 39, Davis gave birth to daughter Barbara Davis Sherry (known as B.D.), and later wrote in her memoir that she became absorbed in motherhood and considered ending her career.

Who was with Bette Davis when she died?

Davis died on October 6, 1989, and Sermak was by her side. And Davis had made Sermak promise to make sure her looks remained, even after she died.

Did You Come For Money? | The Star | Warner Archive

Did Bette Davis leave any money to her daughter?

According to her last will and testament, Bette's estate was worth $1 Million. The bulk of the estate was left to her adopted son, Michael Merrill. The other beneficiary was her close friend and assistant Kathryn Sermack. Her daughters and grandchildren had been intentionally disinherited.

What was special about Bette Davis eyes?

Some suggest Davis's eyes were the result of the autoimmune thyroid condition, Graves' disease. Swelling the muscles around the eyes and surrounding tissues, the condition pushes the eyeballs forward, causing them to protrude, limiting their movement.

What did Bette Davis think of Mommie Dearest?

Bette Davis, longtime rival of Crawford, denounced the book, stating, "I was not Miss Crawford's biggest fan, but, wisecracks to the contrary, I did and still do respect her talent. What she did not deserve was that detestable book written by her daughter. I've forgotten her name. Horrible."

What is Bette Davis famous line?

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.

Who was more famous Joan Crawford or Bette Davis?

Eventually, Davis became a huge star, overtaking Crawford. By the 1940s both stars were employed by the same studio, Warner Bros., where they had adjoining dressing rooms.

How old were Betty Davis and Joan Crawford in Baby Jane?

Aldrich's 1962 Hollywood adaptation of Henry Farrell's gothic novel would star Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, both then in their mid 50s, as quarrelling sisters, confined to the living tomb of a Los Angeles mansion that's filled with skeletons and a noxious resentment that lingers in the air.

How much did Joan Crawford leave in her will?

Death and legacy

A funeral was held at Campbell Funeral Home, New York, on May 13, 1977. In her will, which had been signed on October 28, 1976, Crawford bequeathed to her two youngest children, Cindy and Cathy, $77,500 each from her $2 million estate.

What did Bette Davis daughter say about her in her book?

My Mother's Keeper is a 1985 memoir by B. D. Hyman, the daughter of actress Bette Davis, in which she alleges that Davis was a bullying, alcoholic mother.

Did Joan Crawford try to seduce Bette Davis?

Bette was well aware of Crawford's reputation, saying at one point: “She slept with every star at MGM. Of both sexes.” At some point though, Crawford also moved in to seduce Davis, but Davis wouldn't have it. Perhaps in revenge, Crawford flaunted her affair with Tone, the object of Davis' desire.

Did Bette Davis turn down Mildred Pierce?

Cain's “Mildred Pierce” — and that Bette Davis was the studio's first choice but eventually turned it down. Director Michael Curtiz did not want Crawford for the part and preferred Barbara Stanwyck.

Did Faye Dunaway ever respond to Bette Davis?

Dunaway never fired back at Davis before Davis passed away, but revealed some of her thoughts towards Davis in her 1995 autobiography Looking For Gatsby. She wrote, "I was silent too long about ... Bette Davis.

Did Bette Davis have dentures?

He took suggestions from nobody.” Cohen dismisses Davis' criticisms. On the quality of the Davis' footage, he says that no one but Davis could tell that her dentures were slipping. He adds that in the final cut he edited out the pauses she took between lines--apparently a result of her dental problems.

Did Bette Davis have thyroid problems?

While there is no definitive answer to this question, there have been speculations about Bette Davis having Graves Disease. Some reports suggest that she exhibited symptoms commonly associated with the condition, such as bulging eyes and weight loss.

Who was the singer of No 1 hit Bette Davis Eyes?

It was recorded by DeShannon that year but made popular by American singer Kim Carnes in 1981 when it spent nine non-consecutive weeks at the top of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

What was Joan Crawford's last words?

Don't you dare ask God to help me”….. to her housekeeper who began to pray aloud.

Who attended Joan Crawford funeral?

Among those who attend are: Joan's adopted children, Christina, Cathy and Cindy, and son, Christopher; Joan's secretaries, Betty Barker and Florence Walsh and Joan's Christian Science practitioner, Marque Campbell.