The young Bette Davis later changed the spelling of her first name to Bette after Bette Fischer, a character in Honoré de Balzac's La Cousine Bette. During their time in New York, Davis became a Girl Scout where she became a patrol leader.

When did Bette Davis change her name?

That actress's name is Bette Davis. This was Kathryn Sermak—nee “Catherine,” before Davis requested she change the spelling of her name to make it “more distinctive”—in the summer of 1979.

What disease did Bette Davis have?

That is the iconic Bette Davis, star of memorable movies such as “Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?” and “All About Eve”. She had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 1983, and after undergoing a mastectomy, suffered four strokes.

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.

What happened to Bette Davis?

Sadly, Bette Davis died on October 6, 1989, of metastasized breast cancer, in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, France. Many of her fans refused to believe she was gone.

Here's Who Inherited Bette Davis' Fortune After Her Death

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.

Did Bette Davis dislike Errol Flynn?

Errol Flynn and Bette Davis disliked each other, and when Elizabeth slaps Essex in front of the entire court, Davis hauled off and unexpectedly belted Flynn for real during a dress rehearsal, a blow that brought stars to his eyes.

Who was Bette Davis True Love?

During production, Davis entered a relationship with director William Wyler. She later described him as the "love of my life", and said that making the film with him was "the time in my life of my most perfect happiness".

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 did Bette Davis say about Joan when she died?

On May 10, 1977, Joan Crawford died from a heart attack at her New York City apartment. At the time, outlets reported Bette's response to her colleague's death as they quoted her: "You should never say bad things about the dead, only good… Joan Crawford is dead? Good."

Did Bette Davis have nice eyes?

The actress' peppers were so stunning and prominent they inspired the classic 1981 Kim Carnes song “Bette Davis Eyes”. And while the song still resonates so too does the envy of Davis' big, beautiful eyes.

What year did Bette Davis eyes come out?

"Bette Davis Eyes" is a song written and composed by Donna Weiss and Jackie DeShannon in 1974. 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 does Bette Davis eyes mean?

She got Bette Davis eyes. She's not just captivating in her looks, she's got the chutzpah to back it up. She's bold, confident, and definitely skilled in the art of seduction. She seems to know what she wants and goes after it, but no partner is safe when under her spell.

Was Bette Davis blonde?

Bette Davis

Though she made her name while her hair was bleached a soft platinum blonde, Davis wasn't always a golden girl — she originally rocked this soft medium brown shade.

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 Joan Crawford really campaign against Bette Davis?

In the Oscars race following the film, Crawford launched a campaign against Davis' win and thought of various ways of getting onto the stage. She publicly claimed that she hoped that Davis would win but she actually surprised her by accepting Anne Bancroft's Best Actress Award right in front of Davis.

Did Bette Davis like Clark Gable?

Bette had been jealous of Crawford's affair with Clark Gable, on whom she had a crush, but it was Franchot Tone who the two really fell out over. Tone, who was dating Crawford, was Davis's leading man in Dangerous.

Who turned down the role of Scarlett O Hara?

Among the biggest names vying for the role were Lucille Ball, Joan Crawford, Bette Davis, Katharine Hepburn, and Lana Turner, but Selznick rejected them all as unconvincing for one reason or another. For a while, the frontrunners were Tallulah Bankhead and Paulette Goddard but he bypassed them as well.

Did Errol Flynn sleep with Olivia de Havilland?

Both have confessed to being in love with the other – despite Flynn's marriages to other women – and both have denied the relationship was consummated. Today, de Havilland concedes, "there are no word to describe my feelings for Errol Flynn."