40 Bette Davis Quotes From The Hilariously Frank Golden Age Actress
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Actress Bette Davis was one of the most acclaimed actresses of the '30s and '40s.
Bette Davis was known for her expressive eyes and distinctive speaking style. She was also known for her patriotic efforts during World War II.
Davis earned the nickname 'First Lady of the American Screen'. Between 1935 and 1962, Davis was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress ten times. She won twice, for Dangerous (1935) and Jezebel (1938). Davis' relationship with Joan Crawford was also depicted in the critically-acclaimed 2017 TV series 'Feud: Bette And Joan'.
Davis continued to act in film and on television throughout the '60s, '70s, and '80s. In 1989, Davis made her final on-screen appearance in the film 'Wicked Stepmother'. However, she left mid-production due to issues with the script and direction.
A lifelong smoker, Davis was diagnosed with breast cancer in the early 1980s and underwent a mastectomy. Her cancer later returned, and Davis died on 6 October 1989, while visiting Neuilly-sur-Seine, France. She was 81 years old. Let's have a look at a few sayings of the famed Bette Davis.
After reading this list of quotes, do also check our Hedy Lamarr quotes or Betty White quotes.
Bette Davis Quotes About Joan Crawford
Here are seven of the shadiest Bette Davis Joan Crawford quotes. In the words of Davis' immortal 'All About Eve' character, Margo Channing, "fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy night".
1. "Maybe that's why Miss Crawford always plays ladies."
- Bette Davis.
2. "You should never say bad things about the dead, you should only say good… Joan Crawford is dead. Good!"
- Bette Davis.
3. "She has seen every male star at MGM except Lassie."
- Bette Davis.
4. "The best time I ever had with Joan Crawford was when I pushed her down the stairs in 'What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?'"
- Bette Davis.
5. "I wouldn't piss on her if she was on fire."
- Bette Davis.
6. "We were two different types entirely. I can't think of a single part I played that Joan could do. Not one. Can you?"
- Bette Davis.
7. "Joan always cries a lot. Her tear ducts must be very close to her bladder."
- Bette Davis.
'All About Eve' Quotes
'All About Eve' is a drama genre movie directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz in 1950, Bette's character's name in the movie was Margo Channing. Let us take a look at few Bette Davis movie quotes.
8. "Fasten your seat belts, it's going to be a bumpy night!"
- Bette Davis.
9. "I detest cheap sentiment."
- Bette Davis.
10. "I'll admit I may have seen better days, but I'm still not to be had for the price of a cocktail, like a salted peanut."
- Bette Davis.
Famous Quotes By Bette Davis
Here are few popular quotes by Bette Davis.
11. "There was more good acting at Hollywood parties than ever appeared on the screen."
- Bette Davis.
12. "I never did pal around with actresses. Their talk usually bored me to tears."
- Bette Davis.
13. "The male ego, with few exceptions, is elephantine to start with."
- Bette Davis.
14. "I'd marry again if I found a man who had fifteen million dollars, would sign over half to me, and guarantee that he'd be dead within a year."
- Bette Davis.
15. "Today everyone is a star — they’re all billed as ‘starring’ or ‘also starring’. In my day, we earned that recognition."
- Bette Davis.
16. "If everybody likes you, you’re pretty dull."
- Bette Davis.
17. "I will never be below the title."
- Bette Davis.
18. "If you want a thing done well, get a couple of old broads to do it."
- Bette Davis.
19. "I'm the nicest goddamn dame that ever lived."
- Bette Davis.
20. "At 50, I thought proudly: Here we are, half-century! Being 60 was fairly frightening. You want to know how I spent my 70th birthday?"
- Bette Davis.
21. "Yes, burn your bridges."
- Bette Davis.
22. "Technicolor makes me look like death warmed over."
- Bette Davis.
Bette Davis Quotes About Women
Bette Davis was the boldest actress the '50s ever knew. She was the inspiration for other women also, let's have a look at few quotes by her on women.
23. "There comes a time in every woman's life when the only thing that helps is a glass of champagne."
- Bette Davis.
24. "If you've never been hated by your child, you've never been a parent."
- Bette Davis.
25. "Strong women only marry weak men."
- Bette Davis.
Bette Davis Quotes About Tough Times
Being a woman Bette proved that gender doesn't matter, what matters is capability and confidence. She has gone through many tough situations and so here are a few quotes on tough times.
26. "You will never be happier than you expect. To change your happiness, change your expectation."
- Bette Davis.
27. "Attempt the impossible in order to improve your work."
- Bette Davis.
28. "You know what I'm going to have on my gravestone? 'She did it the hard way.'"
- Bette Davis.
29. "You know what nostalgia is, don't you? It's basically a matter of recalling the fun without reliving the pain."
- Bette Davis.
Bette Davis Life Quotes
Here is a portion of famous Bette Davis quotes based on life.
30. "Life is the past, the present, and the perhaps."
- Bette Davis.
31. "Old age is no place for sissies."
- Bette Davis.
32. "Some young Hollywood starlets remind me of my grandmother's old farmhouse — all painted up nice on the front side, a big swing on the backside, and nothing whatsoever in the attic."
- Bette Davis.
33. "It's true we don't know what we've got until it's gone, but we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives. Pleasure of love lasts but a moment, the pain of love lasts a lifetime."
- Bette Davis.
34. "I was thought to be 'stuck up.' I wasn't. I was just sure of myself."
- Bette Davis.
35. "Pray to God and say the lines."
- Bette Davis.
Best Bette Davis Quotes
"They say that in Hollywood one can't be honest, but I think honesty counts in Hollywood just as much as it does anywhere else. I think it's just too much trouble to be dishonest and keep up with yourself" said Bette in one interview. Have a look at some of the quotes from Bette Davis.
36. "My passions were all gathered together like fingers that made a fist. Drive is considered aggression today; I knew it then as purpose."
- Bette Davis.
37. "The key to life is accepting challenges. Once someone stops doing this, he's dead."
- Bette Davis.
38. "I want to die with my high heels on, still in action."
- Bette Davis.
39. "The out-of-work actor wears out more than shoe leather. The very sensibilities that make him an artist are shattered by the disregard he is shown as a human being."
- Bette Davis.
40. "I wanted to be the first to win three Oscars, but Miss Hepburn has done it. Actually, it hasn't been done. Miss Hepburn only won half an Oscar. If they'd given me half an Oscar I would have thrown it back in their faces. You see, I'm an Aries. I never lose."
- Bette Davis.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of heart touching Samurai sayings on life and mind control for everyone to enjoy and inspire! If you liked our suggestions for 40 Bette Davis quotes, then why not take a look at [Eartha Kitt quotes] or Gene Tierney quotes?
Editorial credit: Anton_Ivanov / Shutterstock.com
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Bachelor of Commerce specializing in Accounting and Finance, Master of Business Administration
Divya RaghavBachelor of Commerce specializing in Accounting and Finance, Master of Business Administration
With a diverse range of experience in finance, administration, and operations, Divya is a diligent worker known for her attention to detail. Born and raised in Bangalore, she completed her Bachelor's in Commerce from Christ University and is now pursuing an MBA at Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, Bangalore. Along with her professional pursuits, Divya has a passion for baking, dancing, and writing content. She is also an avid animal lover who dedicates her time to volunteering for animal welfare causes.
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