This is a complete filmography of Bette Davis. Davis began acting in films in 1931, initially as a contract player with Universal Studios where she made her film debut in The Bad Sister. She signed with Warner Bros. in 1932 and remained with them until 1949, after which she continued as a freelance performer. Her final film appearance was in Wicked Stepmother, released in 1989, the year of her death.
During her 58 years as a film actress, Davis gave many critically acclaimed performances, beginning with Of Human Bondage in 1934. She won Academy Awards for her performances in Dangerous (1935) and Jezebel (1938) and was subsequently nominated eight more times.
Beginning in the 1950s Davis began appearing on television. Her work in this medium, as well as a listing of some of her radio appearances is documented here, along with a listing of her awards.
Contents |
| Year | Title | Role | Director | Other cast members |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Pocketful of Miracles | Apple Annie | Frank Capra | Glenn Ford, Hope Lange, Arthur O'Connell, Peter Falk, Edward Everett Horton, Ann-Margret |
| 1962 | What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? | Baby Jane Hudson | Robert Aldrich | Joan Crawford, Victor Buono |
| 1963 | The Empty Canvas | Dino's mother | Damiano Damiani | Horst Buchholz, Isa Miranda |
| 1964 | Dead Ringer | Margaret De Lorca and Edith Phillips (dual role) | Paul Henreid | Karl Malden, Peter Lawford, Jean Hagen, Estelle Winwood |
| 1964 | Where Love Has Gone | Mrs Gerald Hayden | Edward Dmytryk | Susan Hayward, Mike Connors, Joey Heatherton, Jane Greer |
| 1964 | Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte | Charlotte Hollis | Robert Aldrich | Olivia de Havilland, Joseph Cotten, Agnes Moorehead, Cecil Kellaway, Victor Buono, Mary Astor |
| 1965 | The Nanny | The nanny | Seth Holt | Wendy Craig, Jill Bennett |
| 1968 | The Anniversary | Mrs Taggart | Roy Ward Baker | Sheila Hancock, Jack Hedley |
| 1970 | Connecting Rooms | Wanda Fleming | Franklin Gollings | Michael Redgrave, Leo Genn |
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1932 | The 42nd Street Special | |
| 1935 | A Dream Comes True | |
| 1936 | Screen Snapshots Series 16, No. 1 | |
| 1936 | Screen Snapshots Series 15, No. 10 | |
| 1937 | A Day at Santa Anita | |
| 1937 | Screen Snapshots Series 16, No. 8 | |
| 1938 | For Auld Lang Syne | |
| 1938 | Screen Snapshots Series 17, No. 9 | |
| 1938 | Breakdowns of 1938 | Outtakes from That Certain Woman and Jezebel |
| 1941 | Breakdowns of 1941 | |
| 1943 | The Present with a Future | Herself/Mother |
| 1943 | Show Business at War | |
| 1984 | Terror in the Aisles | Archival footage |
| Date | Title | Other cast members |
|---|---|---|
| March 30, 1936 | Bought and Paid For | |
| May 17, 1937 | Another Language | Fred MacMurray, John Beal |
| February 28, 1938 | Forsaking All Others | Joel McCrea, Anderson Lawler, Leona Meracol |
| January 8, 1940 | Dark Victory | Spencer Tracy |
| April 21, 1941 | The Letter | Herbert Marshall, James Stephenson |
| December 15, 1941 | All This and Heaven Too | Charles Boyer, Bea Benaderet |
| March 6, 1944 | The Letter | Herbert Marshall, Vincent Price |
| October 1, 1945 | Mr. Skeffington | |
| February 11, 1946 | Now, Voyager | Gregory Peck |
| August 25, 1947 | A Stolen Life | Glenn Ford |
| August 29, 1949 | June Bride | James Stewart |
| September 3, 1951 | Payment on Demand | Barry Sullivan |
| October 1, 1951 | All About Eve | Gary Merrill |
| Year | Title | Role | Director | Other main cast members |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | What's My Line? | Herself (Mystery guest) | Franklin Heller | John Daly (Moderator), Bennett Cerf, Hal Block, Arlene Francis, Dorothy Kilgallen |
| 1955 | The 27th Annual Academy Awards | Herself (Presenter: Best Actor) | Bill Bennington, Grey Lockwood | Bob Hope (host) |
| 1956 | The 20th Century Fox Hour Episode : Crack Up |
Marie Hoke | Ted Post | Gary Merrill, Virginia Grey |
| 1956 | Person to Person | Herself | John Frankenheimer (assistant director) |
Edward R. Murrow |
| 1957 | Schlitz Playhouse of Stars Episode: For Better, For Worse |
Anne Baxter | ||
| 1957 | The Ford Television Theatre Episode: Footnote on a Doll |
Dolly Madison | Marc Daniels, Franklin J. Schaffner | Eleanor Audley, Natalie Schafer |
| 1957 | General Electric Theater Episode: With Malice Toward One |
Miss Burrows | Jules Bricken | John Baragrey, Frances Bavier, Maudie Prickett |
| 1958 | Telephone Time Episode: Stranded |
Beatrice Enter | Allen H. Miner | Pamela Baird, Claudia Bryer, Paul Bryer |
| 1958 | Studio 57 Episode: The Starmaker |
Allen H. Miner | Robert Busch, Gary Merrill | |
| 1958 | General Electric Theater Episode:The Cold Touch |
Christine Marlowe | Leif Erickson, Jonathan Harris, Forrest Tucker | |
| 1958 | Suspicion Episode: Fraction of a Second |
Mrs Ellis | John Brahm | Dorothy Adams, Barry Atwater, Marjorie Bennett |
| 1958 | The 30th Annual Academy Awards | Herself (Presenter: Honorary Awards) | Alan Handley | Bob Hope and Jack Lemmon (co-hosts) |
| 1958 | The Dinah Shore Chevy Show | Herself | William Asher | Dinah Shore (host), Steve Lawrence, Eydie Gormé, Alan King |
| 1959 | Alfred Hitchcock Presents Episode: Out There — Darkness |
Miss Fox | Paul Henreid | Frank Albertson, James Congdon |
| 1959 | The DuPont Show with June Allyson Episode: Dark Morning |
Sarah Whitney | June Allyson, Gail Bonney, Leif Erickson | |
| 1959 | Wagon Train Episode: The Elizabeth McQueeney Story |
Elizabeth McQueeney | Allen H. Miner | Ward Bond, Danielle Aubrey, Joseph Mell, Maggie Pierce |
| 1959 | Wagon Train Episode: The Ella Lindstrom Story |
Ella Lindstrom | Allen H. Miner | Ward Bond, Bobby Buntrock |
| 1959 | The 31st Annual Academy Awards | Herself (Presenter: Best Supporting Actor) | Alan Handley | Bob Hope and Jerry Lewis (co-hosts) |
| 1960 | What's My Line? | Herself (Mystery guest) | Joey Bishop |
| Year | Title | Role | Director | Other main cast members |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | Wagon Train Episode: The Bettina May Story |
Ward Bond, Joby Baker | ||
| 1962 | The Virginian Episode: The Accomplice |
Celia Miller | James Drury, Lee J. Cobb, Doug McClure, Victor French, Harold Gould | |
| 1962 | Here's Hollywood Episode broadcast October 9 |
Herself | ||
| 1962 | What's My Line? Episode broadcast November 11 |
Herself (Mystery guest) | ||
| 1962 | Here's Hollywood Episode broadcast December 1 |
Herself | ||
| 1962 | The Jack Paar Tonight Show Episode broadcast November 16 |
Herself | ||
| 1962 | The Andy Williams Show Episode broadcast December 20 |
Herself | ||
| 1963 | Perry Mason Episode: The Case of Constant Doyle |
Constant Doyle | Raymond Burr, Peggy Ann Garner | |
| 1963 | The 35th Annual Academy Awards | Nominee: Best Actress in a Leading Role Presenter: Writing Awards |
||
| 1963 | Reflets de Cannes Episode broadcast May 16 |
Herself | ||
| 1964 | The Hollywood Palace Episode #2.7 |
Herself | ||
| 1964 | What's My Line? Episode broadcast March 29 |
Herself (Mystery guest) | ||
| 1965 | The Hollywood Palace Episode #2.21 |
Herself | ||
| 1965 | What's My Line? Episode broadcast October 24 |
Herself (Mystery guest) | ||
| 1965 | Bette Davis — Star und Rebellin | Herself | ||
| 1965 | I've Got a Secret Episode broadcast March 1 |
Herself | ||
| 1965 | The Decorator (unsold pilot) | Liz | Mary Wickes, Ed Begley | |
| 1966 | Gunsmoke Episode: The Jailer |
Etta Stone | James Arness, Dennis Weaver, Amanda Blake, Bruce Dern, Tom Skerritt | |
| 1966 | The Hollywood Palace Episode #3.19 |
Herself | ||
| 1967 | The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour Episode #1.4 |
Herself | ||
| 1967 | The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour Episode #1.20 |
Herself | ||
| 1967 | The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour Episode #2.2 |
Herself | ||
| 1967 | Think Twentieth | Herself | ||
| 1970 | The Dick Cavett Show Episode broadcast November 26 |
Herself | ||
| 1970 | It Takes a Thief Episode: Touch of Magic |
Robert Wagner, Fred Astaire |
| Year | Title | Role | Director | Other main cast members |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | The Dick Cavett Show | Herself | ||
| 1972 | The Judge and Jake Wyler (TV movie) | Judge Meredith | David Lowell Rich | Doug McClure, Joan Van Ark, Kent Smith |
| 1971 | This Is Your Life | Herself (Honoree) | ||
| 1972 | Madame Sin (TV movie) | Madame Sin | David Greene | Robert Wagner, Denholm Elliott, Gordon Jackson |
| 1972 | The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Episode broadcast February 14, 1972 |
Herself | ||
| 1972 | Johnny Carson Presents the Sun City Scandals '72 | Herself | ||
| 1973 | Scream, Pretty Peggy (TV movie) | Mrs Elliott | Gordon Hessler | Ted Bessell, Sian Barbara Allen |
| 1973 | The Dean Martin Show Celebrity Roast: Johnny Carson |
Herself | ||
| 1973 | The Dean Martin Show Celebrity Roast: Bette Davis |
Herself | ||
| 1973 | ABC's Wide World of Entertainment | Hostess of "Warner Bros. Movies: A 50 Year Salute" | ||
| 1974 | Hello Mother, Goodbye! (TV movie) | Kenneth Mars | ||
| 1974 | The 28th Annual Tony Awards | Herself (Presenter) | ||
| 1975 | Parkinson Episode #5.8 |
Herself | ||
| 1976 | The Mike Douglas Show Episode broadcast March 19 |
Herself | ||
| 1976 | V.I.P.-Schaukel Episode #6.1 |
Herself | ||
| 1976 | The Disappearance of Aimee (TV movie) | Minnie Kennedy | Anthony Harvey | Faye Dunaway, James Woods |
| 1977 | Dinah! Episode broadcast July 20 |
Herself | ||
| 1977 | The American Film Institute Salute to Bette Davis | Herself (Honoree) | ||
| 1977 | Jimmy Carter's Inaugural Gala | Herself | ||
| 1978 | The 50th Annual Academy Awards | Herself | ||
| 1978 | The American Film Institute Salute to Henry Fonda | Herself | ||
| 1978 | The Dark Secret of Harvest Home (miniseries) | Widow Fortune | Leo Penn | David Ackroyd, Rosanna Arquette, Rene Auberjonois |
| 1979 | Strangers: The Story of a Mother and Daughter (TV movie) | Lucy Mason | Milton Katselas | Gena Rowlands |
| 1980 | White Mama (TV movie) | Adele Malone | Jackie Cooper | Eileen Heckart, Anne Ramsey |
| 1980 | Skyward (TV movie) | Billie Dupree | Ron Howard | Howard Hesseman, Marion Ross |
| 1980 | Bob Hope's Overseas Christmas Tours: Around the World with the Troops – 1941–1972 |
Herself |
| Year | Title | Role | Director | Other main cast members |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Family Reunion (TV movie) | Elizabeth Winfield | Fielder Cook | J. Ashley Hyman, David Huddleston, Roy Dotrice |
| 1982 | A Piano for Mrs. Cimino (TV movie) | Esther MacDonald Cimino | George Schaefer | Penny Fuller, Christopher Guest, Keenan Wynn |
| 1982 | Little Gloria... Happy at Last (TV movie) | Alice Gwynne Vanderbilt | Waris Hussein | Martin Balsam, Michael Gross, Glynis Johns, Angela Lansbury, Christopher Plummer, Maureen Stapleton |
| 1982 | All-Star Party for Carol Burnett | Herself | ||
| 1982 | The American Film Institute Salute to Frank Capra | Herself | ||
| 1982 | Night of 100 Stars | Herself | ||
| 1983 | The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Episode broadcast February 9 |
Herself | ||
| 1983 | Bette Davis: A Basically Benevolent Volcano | Herself | ||
| 1983 | Hotel Episode:Pilot |
Laura Trent | James Brolin, Connie Sellecca | |
| 1983 | Right of Way (TV movie) | Minnie Dwyer | George Schaefer | James Stewart, Melinda Dillon, Priscilla Morrill |
| 1985 | Murder with Mirrors (TV movie) | Carrie Louise Serracold | Dick Lowry | Helen Hayes, John Mills, Leo McKern |
| 1985 | Étoiles et toiles March 25 | Herself | ||
| 1986 | As Summers Die (TV movie) | Hannah Loftin | Jean-Claude Tramont | Scott Glenn, Jamie Lee Curtis |
| 1986 | The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Episode broadcast May 22 |
Herself | ||
| 1986 | Directed by William Wyler | Herself | ||
| 1986 | The 43rd Annual Golden Globe Awards Episode broadcast February 22 |
Herself | ||
| 1986 | La Nuit des Césars | Herself | ||
| 1987 | The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts | Herself | ||
| 1987 | The 59th Annual Academy Awards | Herself (Presenter: Best Actor in a Leading Role) | ||
| 1988 | Larry King Live Episode broadcast February 24 |
Herself | ||
| 1988 | De película Episode broadcast February 22 |
Herself | ||
| 1988 | The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Episode broadcast January 7 |
Herself |
| Year | Film | Result | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1934 | Of Human Bondage | Nominated (write-in nomination) | Academy Award | Best Actress |
| 1935 | Dangerous | Won | Academy Award | Best Actress |
| 1938 | Jezebel | Won | Academy Award | Best Actress |
| 1939 | Dark Victory | Nominated | Academy Award | Best Actress |
| 1940 | The Letter | Nominated | Academy Award | Best Actress |
| 1941 | The Little Foxes | Nominated | Academy Award | Best Actress |
| 1942 | Now, Voyager | Nominated | Academy Award | Best Actress |
| 1944 | Mr. Skeffington | Nominated | Academy Award | Best Actress |
| 1950 | All About Eve | Nominated | Academy Award | Best Actress |
| 1952 | The Star | Nominated | Academy Award | Best Actress |
| 1962 | What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? | Nominated | Academy Award | Best Actress |
| Year | Film | Result | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | ABC's Wide World of Entertainment for episode Warner Bros. Movies - A 50 Year Salute | Nominated | Primetime Emmy Award | Special Classification of Outstanding Program and Individual Achievement |
| 1979 | Strangers: The Story of a Mother and Daughter | Won | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actress – Miniseries or Movie |
| 1980 | White Mama | Nominated | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actress – Miniseries or Movie |
| 1983 | Little Gloria... Happy at Last | Nominated | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Supporting Actress – Miniseries or Movie |
| Year | Film | Result | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | All About Eve | Nominated | Golden Globe | Best Motion Picture Actress (Drama) |
| 1962 | Pocketful of Miracles | Nominated | Golden Globe | Best Motion Picture Actress (Musical/Comedy) |
| 1963 | What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? | Nominated | Golden Globe | Best Motion Picture Actress (Drama) |
| Year | Film | Result | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1964 | What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? | Nominated | BAFTA Film Award | Best Foreign Actress |
| Year | TV Film | Result | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Right of Way | Nominated | ACE | Actress in a Movie or Miniseries |
| 1987 | As Summers Die | Nominated | ACE | Actress in a Movie or Miniseries |
| Year | Film | Result | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | All About Eve | Won | Cannes Film Festival Awards | Best Actress |
| Year | Film | Result | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | All About Eve | Won | Silver Ribbon | Best Actress — Foreign Film (Miglior Attrice Straniera) |
| Year | Film | Result | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963 | What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? | 3rd Place | Golden Laurel | Top Female Dramatic Performance |
| 1965 | Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte | Won | Dramatic Performance, Female |
| Year | Film | Result | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | A Piano for Mrs. Cimino | Won | Golden Nymph | Best Actress |
| Year | Film | Result | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | All About Eve | Won | NYFCC Award | Best Actress |
| Year | Film | Result | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Burnt Offerings | Won | Saturn Award (a.k.a. Golden Scroll) | Best Supporting Actress |
| Year | Film | Result | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1937 | Kid Galahad Marked Woman |
Won | Volpi Cup | Best Actress |
| Year | Award | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 1932 | Star of Tomorrow | A group of theater exhibitors named Bette Davis, Joan Blondell and Ginger Rogers “Stars of tomorrow”. The ceremony was held at the Ambassador Hotel in Hollywood and broadcasted live on radio. This was Bette’s first acting award |
| 1941 | Golden Apple Awards | Most Cooperative Actress |
| 1950 | Grauman's Chinese Theater | Footprint and Handprint Ceremony |
| 1950 | Photoplay Awards | Gold Medal |
| 1962 | Photoplay Awards | Gold Medal |
| 1963 | Golden Apple Awards | Most Cooperative Actress |
| 1965 | Photoplay Awards | Gold Medal |
| 1969 | San Francisco International Film Festival | The Craft of Cinema Award |
| 1973 | Sarah Siddons Society | Special 20th Anniversary Award for All About Eve |
| 1974 | Golden Globe Awards | Cecil B. DeMille Award |
| 1977 | American Film Institute | Lifetime Achievement Award |
| 1982 | Film Advisory Board | Award of Excellence |
| 1982 | Distinguished Civilian Service Medal | Awarded by the Defense Department of USA (the highest civilian award given by the United States Department of Defense) for founding the Hollywood Canteen (which operated at 1451 Cahuenga Boulevard in Hollywood, California between October 3, 1942 and November 22, 1945). |
| 1982 | National Film Society Artistry in Cinema Awards | Golden Reel Award for her contribution to cinema. |
| 1982 | Golden Apple Awards | Louella Parsons Life Achievement Award |
| 1983 | Charles Chaplin Award | Lifetime Achievement |
| 1983 | Women in Film Crystal + Lucy Awards | Crystal Award |
| 1983 | American Theater Arts | Life Achievement Award |
| 1983 | Rudolph Valentino Award | Actress of the Year |
| 1983 | Boston Theater District Association | Life Achievement Award |
| 1986 | César Awards | Honorary César Lifetime Achievement |
| 1986 | Ordre des Arts et des Lettres | Appointed commander of this order. It was awarded by the French Government for her contribution to film. |
| 1987 | British Film Institute Fellowship | In recognition of her outstanding contribution to film culture. |
| 1987 | Deauville Film Festival | Special Tribute |
| 1987 | Legion of Honour | Awarded at the Deauville Film Festival for her contribution to film. |
| 1987 | Kennedy Center Honors | Honoree |
| 1988 | Campione d'Italia | Merit of Achievement Award |
| 1989 | American Cinema Awards | Life Achievement Award |
| 1989 | Film Society of Lincoln Center | Gala Tribute |
| 1989 | San Sebastián International Film Festival | Donostia Lifetime Achievement Award |
| ? | Hollywood Walk of Fame | Motion Pictures (Location: 6225 Hollywood Blvd.) |
| ? | Hollywood Walk of Fame | Television (Location: 6233 Hollywood Blvd.) |