Bette Midler
Highest Rated: 99% 20 Feet From Stardom (2013)
Lowest Rated: 13% Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore (2010)
Birthday: Dec 1, 1945
Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Gloriously flamboyant American entertainer Bette Midler was born in Honolulu, HI, to the only Jewish family in the neighborhood. After dropping out of a drama class at the University of Hawaii, she took a tiny role in the 1966 film Hawaii, playing a seasick boat passenger (though it's hard to see her when viewing the film). Training for a dancing career in New York, Midler made the casting rounds for several months before finally winning a chorus role, and then the featured part of Tzeitel, in the long-running Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof.It helps to do something well that no one else does, and Midler found her forte by singing at the Continental Baths, a gay hangout in New York. Most bath house performers were painfully bad, but Midler established herself by combining genuine talent with the tackiness expected of her. As the "Divine Miss M," Midler did an act consisting of campy (and dirty) specialty numbers; dead-on imitations of such earlier performers as the Andrews Sisters and Libby Holman; and the most outrageously revealing costumes this side of Bob Mackie. Soon she outgrew the bath houses and went on to nightclub and recording-artist fame, earning a Grammy Award in 1973. After several years of sell-out tours, Midler re-entered films as the star of The Rose, a 1979 film à clef loosely based upon the life and times of Janis Joplin. The film was a success, but it failed to establish Midler as a dramatic actress; audiences, particularly gay fans, still preferred the Divine Miss M. Jinxed (1982), Midler's next film, lived up to its name with well-publicized production squabbles between Midler, the director, producers, and a few of her co-stars. Following the film's failure, Midler wasn't seen onscreen until she signed a contract with Disney in 1986. Establishing a new film identity as a character comedienne, Midler sparkled in Down and Out in Beverly Hills (1986), and was even better as a loudmouthed kidnap victim in Ruthless People (1987). Using her restored film stature, Midler set up her own production company and produced Beaches (1988), a pals-through-the-years saga that proved to be a four-hankie audience favorite. Once again attempting to establish herself as a tragedian, Midler starred in Stella (1989), a poorly-received remake of 1937's Stella Dallas. For the Boys (1992), offered Midler in tons of old-age makeup as a Martha Raye-style USO star (Raye responded to this "tribute" by suing the studio). The subsequent Scenes From a Mall (1991), which paired Midler with Woody Allen, and witchcraft fantasy Hocus Pocus (1993) also failed to truly showcase her talents. She rebounded somewhat in 1995 with a role in the wildly acclaimed Get Shorty, and had even greater success the following year co-starring with Diane Keaton and Goldie Hawn in The First Wives Club. In 1999, Midler played herself in two films: the TV mockumentary Jackie's Back and Get Bruce!, a big-screen documentary about legendary comic writer Bruce Vilanch. In addition to her film work, Midler still performs live concerts to sold-out crowds and continues to release albums, including Bathouse Bette, a tribute to her early singing days. In 1993, she scored an enormous success in a superb TV adaptation of the Broadway musical Gypsy. And, in 2000, Midler extended her talents to television, starring as herself in the aptly-named sitcom Bette. Though she would only appear in a handful of films over the next decade, Midler remained quite active on stage and television, even earning an Emmy nomination for Bette Midler: The Showgirl Must Go On in 2011.
Photos
Highest Rated Movies
Filmography
Movies
| Credit | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 73% | The Glorias | Actor | — | 2020 |
| 43% | The Addams Family | Grandmama | — | 2019 |
| No Score Yet | The Tale of the Allergist's Wife | Actor | — | 2019 |
| 51% | Freak Show | Muv | — | 2018 |
| 94% | Casting By | Actor | $14.5K | 2013 |
| 99% | 20 Feet From Stardom | Actor | — | 2013 |
| No Score Yet | Vito | Actor | — | 2013 |
| 17% | Parental Guidance | Artie Decker | $77.3M | 2012 |
| 13% | Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore | Kitty Galore | $43.5M | 2010 |
| No Score Yet | The Greatest Ears in Town: The Arif Mardin Story | Actor | — | 2010 |
| 14% | The Women | Leah Miller | $26.9M | 2008 |
| No Score Yet | The Women | Actor | — | 2008 |
| 50% | Then She Found Me | Bernice Graves | $3.8M | 2007 |
| No Score Yet | The Magic 7 | Actor | — | 2007 |
| No Score Yet | Bette Midler: The Divine Bette Midler | Actor | — | 2005 |
| No Score Yet | From the Big Apple to the Big Easy: The Concert for New Orleans | Actor | — | 2005 |
| 26% | The Stepford Wives | Bobbie Markowitz | $59.4M | 2004 |
| No Score Yet | Peter Allen: The Boy from Oz | Actor | — | 2004 |
| 45% | Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood | Executive Producer | $69.6M | 2002 |
| 54% | What Women Want | Dr. J.M. Perkins | $181.5M | 2001 |
| 81% | Fantasia 2000 | Narrator | — | 2000 |
| 29% | Drowning Mona | Mona Dearly | — | 2000 |
| 25% | Isn't She Great | Jacqueline Susann | — | 2000 |
| No Score Yet | Jackie's Back | Actor | — | 1999 |
| 71% | Get Bruce | Herself | — | 1999 |
| 43% | That Old Feeling | Lilly Leonard | — | 1997 |
| 49% | The First Wives Club | Brenda Morelli Cushman | — | 1996 |
| 87% | Get Shorty | Doris | — | 1995 |
| 71% | When a Man Loves a Woman | Actor | — | 1994 |
| 34% | Hocus Pocus | Winifred Sanderson | — | 1993 |
| 50% | Gypsy | Rose | — | 1993 |
| No Score Yet | Shelley Duvall's Bedtime Stories | Actor | — | 1992 |
| 43% | For the Boys | Dixie Leonard Producer | — | 1991 |
| 32% | Scenes from a Mall | Deborah Fifer | — | 1991 |
| 20% | Stella | Stella Claire | — | 1990 |
| 39% | Beaches | CC Bloom | — | 1988 |
| 51% | Oliver & Company | Georgette | — | 1988 |
| 44% | Big Business | Sadie Shelton | — | 1988 |
| 52% | Outrageous Fortune | Sandy Brozinski | — | 1987 |
| 94% | Ruthless People | Barbara Stone | — | 1986 |
| 81% | Down and Out in Beverly Hills | Barbara Whiteman | — | 1986 |
| No Score Yet | Jinxed | Bonita Friml | — | 1982 |
| No Score Yet | Divine Madness | The Divine Miss M Screenwriter | — | 1980 |
| 78% | The Rose | Rose | — | 1979 |
| 67% | Hawaii | Passenger | — | 1966 |
| No Score Yet | Turkey Shoot: Beaches | Actor | — |
TV
| Credit | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No Score Yet |
Sunday Morning 2011-2018 |
Appearing |
2017 2013 2012 |
| No Score Yet |
The Voice 2011-2019 |
Appearing |
2016 |
| No Score Yet |
Jimmy Kimmel Live 2003 |
Guest |
2015 |
| No Score Yet |
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon 2014 |
Performer |
2015 2014 |
| No Score Yet |
Colbert Report 2005-2014 |
Guest |
2014 |
| No Score Yet |
Inside Comedy 2012-2015 |
Guest |
2014 |
| No Score Yet |
The View 1997 |
Guest |
2014 2012 2011 |
| No Score Yet |
Project Runway 2004 |
Judge |
2013 |
| No Score Yet |
Project Runway 2005 |
Judge |
2013 |
| No Score Yet |
The Tonight Show With Jay Leno 1992-2014 |
Guest |
2013 2000 |
| No Score Yet |
Late Night With Jimmy Fallon 2009-2014 |
Guest |
2010 |
| No Score Yet |
The Marriage Ref 2010-2011 |
Panelist |
2010 |
| 72% |
American Idol 2002-2016 |
Performer |
2007 |
| No Score Yet |
American Masters 2001 |
Narrator |
2007 |
| No Score Yet |
Live From Lincoln Center 2000 |
Performer |
2005 |
| 75% |
Bette 2000-2001 |
Executive Producer Herself |
2001 2000 |
| No Score Yet |
Murphy Brown 1988 |
1998 |
|
| 88% |
Seinfeld 1989-1998 |
Bette Midler |
1995 |
| 85% |
The Simpsons 1989 |
Voice |
1993 |
| No Score Yet |
Saturday Night Live 1975 |
Performer Musical Guest |
1979 |
QUOTES FROM Bette Midler CHARACTERS
Artie Decker says: I don't feel welcome here.
Diane Decker says: After your kids grow up, your husband is the one who stays.
Diane Decker says: *To Violin Teacher* If you EVER speak to my Granddaughter like that again..There will be nothing left of you but some red hair and an accent..Is that clear comrade?
Diane Decker says: [to Violin Teacher] If you EVER speak to my Granddaughter like that again..There will be nothing left of you but some red hair and an accent... Is that clear comrade?
Diane Decker says: You gotta shape up Artie! You know what Grandparenting is? A Second chance!
Diane Decker says: After your kids grow up..Your husband is the one who stays!
Diane Decker says: After your kids grow up... Your husband is the one who stays!
Alice Simmons says: That's not bad!
Diane Decker says: Not Bad? She looks like a 12 year old widow!
Artie Decker says: I'm not going!
Diane Decker says: You're going!
Artie Decker says: That's what I meant!
Diane Decker says: *looks at Artie when he doesn't know he has paint on his face* What's wrong with your face?
Diane Decker says: [looks at Artie when he doesn't know he has paint on his face] What's wrong with your face?
Artie Decker says: Oh and you're such a pleasure in the morning?!
Artie Decker says: Oh and you're such a pleasure in the morning?
Artie Decker says: I don't think these kids like me
Artie Decker says: I don't think these kids like me.
Diane Decker says: They have to know you better before they don't like you!
Sadie Shelton/ Sadie Ratliff says: "Isn't it exciting?" (Referring to New York City as they drive into Manhattan)
Sadie Shelton/ Sadie Ratliff says: Isn't it exciting? [referring to New York City as they drive into Manhattan]
Rose Shelton says: /Rose Ratliff "Oh yeah, the noise, the smog, the crowds, the muggers, sex fiends, white slavers, politicians, it's a pistol. I got about as much use for it as a toad has for spit curls!"
Rose Shelton says: Oh yeah, the noise, the smog, the crowds, the muggers, sex fiends, white slavers, politicians, it's a pistol. I got about as much use for it as a toad has for spit curls!
Georgette says: [Fagin, Jenny, Oliver and company are being chased by Sykes] SAVE ME! SAVE ME, ALONZO!
Tito says: HEY, GET OFF MY BACK WOMAN! I'M DRIVING!
Georgette says: I, um, hope you won't think me rude, but do you happen to know out of whose BOWL you're eating?
Oliver says: Yours?
Georgette says: [sarcastically] Ooh! Aren't you a clever kitty! And do you have any idea whose HOME this is?
Oliver says: I... thought it was Jenny's.
Georgette says: Well, it may be Jenny's *house*, but everything from the doorknobs down is MINE!
Diane Decker says: Our grandchildren are gonna love me!
Artie Decker says: What about me?
Diane Decker says: That's your problem.
CC Bloom says: Hilary you got so fat!
Hillary Whitney Essex says: I'm not fat I'm having a baby
Hillary Whitney Essex says: I'm not fat I'm having a baby.
CC Bloom says: You're not, You're having a baby?
CC Bloom says: You're not. You're having a baby?
Hillary Whitney Essex says: I'm Three Months Pregnant
Hillary Whitney Essex says: I'm three months pregnant.
CC Bloom says: That's great
CC Bloom says: That's great.
Hillary Whitney Essex says: Before I caught him with that woman we made love and that's when it ...
CC Bloom says: (interrupts) What woman?
Hillary Whitney Essex says: There was this woman I caught them together ...
CC Bloom says: (interrupts) Michael?
Hillary Whitney Essex says: Of course Michael and that's when it happened, and he doesn't want it because he's going to marry her. Can you believe it he's going to marry her?
CC Bloom says: (to bartender) Would you make this a double please?
CC Bloom says: (to Hillary) Let me get this straight. You caught Michael with another woman?
Hillary Whitney Essex says: Yes
Hillary Whitney Essex says: Yes.
CC Bloom says: And now you're going to have a baby all on your own
Hillary Whitney Essex says: Mmhmm (shakes head)
CC Bloom says: Oh Hillary I think that's wonderful
Hillary Whitney Essex says: You do?
CC Bloom says: I think it's the most exciting thing and if it's a girl will you name it after me? (hugs Hillary)
Hillary Whitney Essex says: (quietly) Yes
Hillary Whitney Essex says: (quietly) Yes.
Chief Wyatt Rash says: [talking to Mona] when life gives you potato's, make potato salad.
Chief Wyatt Rash says: [talking to Mona] When life gives you potato's, make potato salad.
Mona Dearly says: life gave me a handful of shit. what do I make with that Chief?
Mona Dearly says: Life gave me a handful of shit. what do I make with that Chief?
Phil Dearly says: shit salad?!
Phil Dearly says: Shit salad?
Kitty Galore says: Meow.
Kitty Galore says: You Fools!
Kitty Galore says: I will enslave all mankind [Cackling]
Chuck says: Kitty! I'm home.
Kitty Galore says: I will enslave all of mankind! [Cackles]
Kitty Galore says: I will enslave all of mankind! [cackles]
Kitty Galore says: [Repeated line] Mwahahahahahahaha!
Georgette says: [shouts while the others are sneaking] OW! I broke a nail!
Francis says: Oh, balderdash...
Tito says: [get right up in Francis's face] What'you call my woman?
Georgette says: [singing] Pretty is nice, but still, it's just pretty!
Georgette says: [singing] You pretty pups all over the city, I have your hearts and you have my pity!
Georgette says: What's the matter, Spot? Not good enough for you? Why, do you even know who I am?
Kitty Galore says: Meow!
Kitty Galore says: I will enslave all mankind! Mwahahahahahaha!
Kitty Galore says: I will enslave all mankind! Mwahahaha!
Kitty Galore says: Behold, my glorious device!