The Biography Channel - Bette Midler Biography

Bette Midler
born: 01-12-1945
birth place: Honolulu, Hawaii, USA

There was no stopping Midler as she went on to star in many successful films, playing roles in a variety of comedies and dramas, as well as continuing to release albums and working on film soundtracks. There was the ‘Divine Madness’ soundtrack (1980) and albums ‘No Frills’ (1983) and ‘Mud Will Be Flung Tonight’ (1985). Midler starred as Bonita Friml in Don Siegal’s comedy, ‘Jinxed!’ (1982), and played opposite Richard Dreyfuss and Nick Nolte in ‘Down and Out in Beverly Hills’ (1986). She was the insufferable wife kidnapped in ‘Ruthless People’ (1986), with Danny DeVito; played Sandy Brosinski in Arthur Hiller’s comedy, ‘Outrageous Fortune’ (1987), about the CIA and KGB; and starred as disparate twins with Lily Tomlin in ‘Big Business’ (1988). Possibly one of Midler’s fans favourites was the huge hit ‘Beaches’ (1988), a poignant story about friendship, with Barbara Hershey and John Heard. She also sang on the ‘Beaches’ soundtrack (1988).

Midler starred opposite the inimitable Woody Allen in the comedy ‘Scenes from a Mall’ (1991) before her role as Dixie Leonard in the World War II drama ‘For the Boys’ (1991), with James Caan. Midler was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role for ‘For the Boys’, as well as contributing to the film’s soundtrack. She starred as Mama Rose in ‘Gypsy’ (1993), a Golden Globe award winning television film, based on the autobiography of Gypsy Rose Lee, actress and burlesque entertainer.

Following an uncredited role in Barry Sonenfeld’s ‘Get Shorty’ (1995), Midler starred alongside Goldie Hawn and Diane Keaton, playing three divorced women seeking revenge on their ex-husbands, in the unforgettable ‘First Wives Club’ (1996).

At the start of the new millennium, Midler starred in a television sitcom, ‘Bette’ which ran from 2000 to 2001. The show was extremely popular and received a nomination for a Golden Globe award, along with four other award nominations. ‘Bette’ also won Midler a TV Guide Award for Actress of the Year in a New Series (2001); a People’s Choice Award for Favourite Female Performer in a New Television Series (2001); and the Art Directors Guild Excellence in Production Design Award (2001).