Bette Midler: The Divine Entertainer

Biography

Midler was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Jewish parents. From a young age, she aspired to perform in plays and, as a student, participated in the drama department at the University of Hawaii.

After moving to New York, she made her professional stage debut in the musical "Miss Nefertiti Regrets." From 1966 to 1969, she starred in the Broadway production of "Fiddler on the Roof."

In 1970, she began performing in gay bathhouses, where she gained her first devoted following from the LGBTQ+ community. During her stint at the "Continental Baths" club in New York, she met musician Barry Manilow, who offered to produce her debut album, "The Divine Miss M," released in 1972. In 1971, she also appeared in the rock opera "Tommy" by The Who.

In 1975, she won a Tony Award for Special Theatrical Event for her performance in "Clams on the Half Shell Revue." In 1978, she starred in the film "The Rose," portraying the tragic life of Janis Joplin. In 1979, she received an Academy Award nomination for her role in the movie.

In 1982, Midler appeared in the film "Jinxed!" which unfortunately was not a box office success. In 1985, she joined a stellar lineup of American musicians for the charity single "We Are the World," aimed at aiding Ethiopian famine relief efforts.

She also starred in the successful comedy film "Down and Out in Beverly Hills" in the same year, launching a lengthy career as a comedic actress in numerous films throughout the 1980s and 1990s.

In 1988, she won a Grammy Award for her rendition of "Wind Beneath My Wings," featured in the film "Beaches." Additionally, she received another Grammy for her song "From a Distance" two years later.

In 1990, Midler starred alongside Woody Allen in the film "Scenes from a Mall," and in 1991, she was nominated for an Academy Award for her role in "For the Boys." In the 1990s, she appeared in films such as "Hocus Pocus," "The First Wives Club," "The Stepford Wives," and more. She also took on the role of Mama Rose in a television adaptation of the musical "Gypsy," which earned her an Emmy nomination.

In 2000, Midler had her own sitcom on CBS called "Bette." Although the show initially had high ratings, it faced challenges and was eventually canceled. From 2003 to 2004, she embarked on the successful "Kiss My Brass" concert tour in the United States and continued it in Australia in 2005.

In the years that followed, she released albums, made guest appearances on various television series, often playing herself, and appeared in films like "The Women" in 2008 alongside Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, and Eva Mendes. In 2010, she voiced the character of Kitty Galore in the animated film "Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore." In 2012, she appeared in the film "Parental Guidance" alongside Billy Crystal.

In 2017, Midler won a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical for her performance in "Hello, Dolly!" In 2019, she guest-starred in the Netflix comedy series "The Politician" as Hadassah Gold.

Bette Midler's multifaceted career, spanning music, film, television, and theater, has solidified her status as a beloved and enduring entertainment icon.