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List of awards and nominations received by Bette Davis

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Bette Davis awards and nominations
Davis in 1938
Totals[a]
Wins34
Nominations62
Note
  1. ^ Certain award groups do not simply award one winner. They acknowledge several different recipients, have runners-up, and have third place. Since this is a specific recognition and is different from losing an award, runner-up mentions are considered wins in this award tally. For simplification and to avoid errors, each award in this list has been presumed to have had a prior nomination.
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Bette Davis

This is a list of Bette Davis's accolades for both her cinematic and television performances. Her career spans over six decades, from the beginning of the 1930s until the end of the 1980s, shortly before her death.

Her first acting "award" was being cited, alongside Joan Blondell and Ginger Rogers, as one of the "Stars of Tomorrow" in 1932. But it was two years later, when she had her breakthrough performance as Mildred Rogers in Of Human Bondage (1934), when she received her first major awards notice, or lack thereof. When the Academy Award nominations were announced and Davis's name was omitted, there was an uproar. The academy was inundated with write-in votes demanding that she be nominated.[1] Due to that popular demand, they permitted Davis's name to remain a write-in candidate, even though she was not an official nominee. She finished third in the votes.[2] (They allowed this relaxed rule for the following year as well, wherein Paul Muni was a write-in nominee for Black Fury (1935). Despite being unofficial, he finished second in the votes. The academy discontinued this option as of 1936.)[3]

When Muni receive his write-in, Davis received her first Oscar for Best Actress, for the film Dangerous (1935).[4] Three years later, she would win again for Jezebel (1938).[5] Beginning with this film, she next set a record for the most consecutive nominations, receiving five in a row from 1938 through 1942.[6] These succeeding four films were Dark Victory (1939),[7] The Letter (1940),[8] The Little Foxes (1941),[9] and Now, Voyager (1942).[10] Her longstanding record would shortly be tied by Greer Garson, whose span went from 1941 to 1945 (with a win for 1942's Mrs. Miniver).[11] She and Davis had two overlapping years, plus a third year where they were simultaneously nominated when Davis received her next nomination for Mr. Skeffington (1944).[12]

Aside from Academy Awards, Davis also acquired a Volpi Cup for Best Actress in 1937 for both Marked Woman and Kid Galahad—the only recipient in their history to receive the prize for two performances. In addition to that, she received two Best Actress wins from the National Board of Review: one shared prize for both The Old Maid (1939) & Dark Victory; and another two years later, for The Little Foxes.

At this time, Davis had more acting Oscar nominations than anyone else. This streak continued with All About Eve (1950).[13] She also received several other nominations and wins for this performance, including: Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress, New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Actress, and her first Golden Globe nomination. Her next Oscar nomination was for The Star (1952).[14]

One decade later, Davis continued receiving recognition for a variety of roles. She earned a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical nomination for Pocketful of Miracles (1961),[15] with adjacent nominations the following year for What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) from a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama, to a BAFTA for Best Foreign Actress, and finally, an Academy Award for Best Actress—her 10th official of the latter (or 11th, counting the write-in nomination).[16] She thus became the first actress to reach double digits in her nominations tally.[17]

Davis continued receiving several other awards and nominations, including 3rd Place from the Laurel Awards for ...Baby Jane? followed by a win for her performance in Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte (1964).[18]

In her later years, she set her sights more often on television. She received four Primetime Emmy nominations, for an episode of ABC's Wide World of Entertainment retroactive special; plus Little Gloria...Happy at Last (1983); White Mama (1980); and Strangers: The Story of a Mother and Daughter (1979), for which she won an Emmy opposite Gena Rowlands.[19]

She was also bestowed an honorary Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes ceremony in 1974;[20] an AFI Life Achievement Award in 1977;[19] and a Kennedy Center Honors in 1987.[19] These are just a few of the vast assortment of honorary awards she has received in addition to the aforementioned major accolades above.

Major awards

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The years listed in the columns are the corresponding years that the ceremonies occurred in which the awards were presented to the recipients. These are seldom the same years of the films' release dates.

Davis as Margo Channing in All About Eve (1950).
Davis as the titular character in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962).

Academy Awards

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Year Category Nominated work Character Result Ref.
1935 Best Actress Of Human Bondage (Write-in) Mildred Rogers Nominated[a] [1][2][3]
1936 Dangerous Joyce Heath Won [4]
1939 Jezebel Julie Marsden Won [5][6]
1940 Dark Victory Judith Traherne Nominated [7]
1941 The Letter Leslie Crosbie Nominated [6][8]
1942 The Little Foxes Regina Giddens Nominated [6][9]
1943 Now, Voyager Charlotte Vale Nominated [10][11]
1945 Mr. Skeffington Frances Beatrice "Fanny"
Trellis Skeffington 		Nominated [12]
1951 All About Eve Margo Channing Nominated [13]
1953 The Star Margaret "Maggie" Elliot Nominated [14]
1963 What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? Baby Jane Hudson Nominated [16][17]

British Academy Film Awards

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Year Category Nominated work Character Result Ref.
1964 Best Foreign Actress What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? Baby Jane Hudson Nominated

Golden Globe Awards

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Year Category Nominated work Character Result Ref.
1951 Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama All About Eve Margo Channing Nominated [13]
1962 Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical Pocketful of Miracles Apple Annie Nominated [15]
1963 Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? Baby Jane Hudson Nominated [16][17]
1974 Cecil B. DeMille Award — Recipient [20]

Primetime Emmy Awards

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Year Category Nominated work Character Result Ref.
1974 Special Classification of Outstanding Program and Individual Achievement ABC's Wide World of Entertainment: Warner Bros. Movies — A 50-Year Salute Hostess Nominated
1979 Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Strangers: The Story of a Mother and Daughter Lucy Mason Won [19]
1980 White Mama Adele Malone Nominated [21]
1983 Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Special Little Gloria...Happy at Last Alice Gwynne Vanderbilt Nominated [22]

Industry awards

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Year Awards ceremony Category Nominated work Character Result Ref.
1937 Venice Film Festival Volpi Cup for Best Actress Kid Galahad Louise "Fluff" Phillips Won[b] [23]
Marked Woman Mary Strauber
1939 New York Film Critics Circle Best Actress Dark Victory Judith Traherne Runner-Up[c]
1939 National Board of Review Best Acting Won both
The Old Maid Charlotte Lovell both
1941 The Little Foxes Regina Giddens Won
1950 New York Film Critics Circle Best Actress All About Eve Margo Channing Won
1951 Cannes Film Festival Best Actress Won [24]
1952 Nastro d'Argento Silver Ribbon for
Best Foreign Actress 		Won
1963 Laurel Awards Top Female Dramatic
Performance 		What Ever Happened to
Baby Jane? 		Baby Jane Hudson 3rd Place [16]
[17]
1965 Top Female Dramatic
Performance 		Hush…Hush, Sweet
Charlotte 		Charlotte Hollis Won [18]
1977 Saturn Awards Best Supporting Actress Burnt Offerings Aunt Elizabeth Rolf Won
1983 Monte-Carlo Television Festival Golden Nymph - Actress A Piano for Mrs. Cimino Mrs. Esther Cimino Won
1984 CableACE Awards Actress in a Dramatic
or Theatrical Program 		Right of Way Mini Dwyer Nominated
1987 As Summers Die Hannah Loftin Nominated

Other accolades

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Honorary

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Year Award Category
1950 Grauman's Chinese Theatre Handprint and Footprint Ceremony
1960 Hollywood Walk of Fame Motion pictures (Location: 6225 Hollywood Blvd.)
Television (Location: 6233 Hollywood Blvd.)
1969 San Francisco International Film Festival The Craft of Cinema Award
1973 Sarah Siddons Awards Special 20th Anniversary Award for All About Eve
1977 American Film Institute AFI Life Achievement Award[19]
1982 Film Advisory Board Award of Excellence
Rudolph Valentino Award Actress of the Year
National Film Society Artistry in Cinema Awards Golden Reel Award for her contribution to cinema.
American Theater Arts Life Achievement Award
1983 Charles Chaplin Award Awarded by UCLA Film and Television Archive
Women in Film Crystal + Lucy Awards Crystal Award
Boston Theater District Life Achievement Award
Golden Apple Awards Louella Parsons Life Achievement Award
1986 César Awards Honorary César
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.
Legion of Honour Awarded at the Deauville American Film Festival for her contribution to film.
Kennedy Center Honors Honoree[19]
1988 Campione d'Italia Merit of Achievement Award
1989 American Cinema Awards Life Achievement Award
Film Society of Lincoln Center Gala Tribute
San Sebastián International Film Festival Donostia Award

Miscellaneous

[edit]
Year Award Category Notes
1932 N/A Stars of Tomorrow A group of theater exhibitors named Joan Blondell, Bette Davis, and Ginger Rogers "Stars of Tomorrow". The ceremony was held at the Ambassador Hotel in Hollywood, and broadcast live on radio. This was Bette's first acting award.
1939 Photoplay Awards Best Performances (July) Tied with Paul Muni
1941 Golden Apple Awards Most Cooperative Actress
1945 Photoplay Awards Favorite Female Star Gold Medal Nominee
1946 Meritorious Civilian Service Award United States Department of War presented this accolade to Davis on behalf of her efforts in coordinating the foundation of the Hollywood Canteen. The first thespian to receive such an award.[25]
1950 Photoplay Awards Best Performances (December) Tied with Anne Baxter
1951 Most Popular Female Star Nominee for All About Eve
1963 Nominee for What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
Golden Apple Awards Most Cooperative Actress
1965 Laurel Awards Golden Laurel - Female Star 11th Place
1966 Photoplay Awards Most Popular Female Star Gold Medal Nominee
1972 Favorite Female Star
1975
1976
1978 Hall of Fame: Actress
1980 Outstanding Mother of the Year Award Awarded by Woman's Day magazine
1983 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). The award ceremony took place on June 11, 1983.[26]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Although not an official nominee, most awards databases still include Davis's nomination for Of Human Bondage (1934), as well as others such as Paul Muni's for Black Fury (Best Actor, 1935) and Michael Curtiz's Captain Blood (Best Director, 1935), among the listed nominees. This is perhaps due to the fact that another write-in candidate, Hal Mohr, became the sole person to win via write-in submission, for the cinematography work on A Midsummer Night's Dream (1935). The Academy discontinued this rule relaxation as of the following ceremony.
  2. ^ Some sources are inconsistent, with a few omitting Kid Galahad and one missing Marked Woman. But archived snapshot on Volpi Cup article page emphasizes she won for both titles.
  3. ^ Tied for 2nd Place with Greta Garbo for Ninotchka (1939).

References

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  1. ^ a b Soares, André (2011-01-29). "Bette Davis vs. Oscars: Best Actress Snub Changed Academy Award Rules". Alt Film Guide. Retrieved 2023-10-16. Demands for write-in votes began pouring in. Even nominee Norma Shearer expressed her support for giving Davis a chance.
  2. ^ a b "Academy Story: 1930–1939". Oscars.org. Retrieved 2023-10-16. ...the first write-in campaign, seeking to nominate Bette Davis for her performance in Of Human Bondage.
  3. ^ a b Levy, Emanuel (2009-03-27). "Oscar Movies: Black Fury (1935), Paul Muni Fighting Union Corruption (Write-In Nomination)". Cinema 24/7. Retrieved 2023-10-16. Actor: Paul Muni (write-in-candidate)
  4. ^ a b Batters, Paul (2019-04-07). "Dangerous (1935): Bette Davis And Her First Best Actress Oscar Performance". Silver Screen Classics. Retrieved 2023-10-16. ...her performance in Dangerous...first Oscar for Best Actress. Hollywood folklore has long claimed...was a consolation for not being nominated for Of Human Bondage.
  5. ^ a b Archerd, Army (2001-07-20). Spielberg Buys Bette Davis Oscar at Auction (Broadcast). ABC News. Retrieved 2023-11-06 – via Variety. The Oscar was part of the actress's memorabilia auctioned to benefit the Bette Davis Foundation, which provides financial aid to young people pursuing acting careers.
  6. ^ a b c d O'Dell, Cary (2023-04-19). "Happy Birthday, Bette Davis–You Jezebel!". Now See Hear!. Retrieved 2023-10-16. Davis would win her second Best Actress Oscar for Jezebel, and she later received two more nominations under Wyler for The Letter (1940; also for Warner Bros.) and The Little Foxes (1941; for Goldwyn).
  7. ^ a b Nugent, Frank S. (1939-04-21). James, Edwin Leland; Merz, Charles (eds.). "THE SCREEN IN REVIEW; Bette Davis Scores New Honors in Dark Victory; George Brent Also Is Seen in the Music Hall Feature—New Italian Picture Opens Here". The New York Times. Sulzberger, Arthur Hays (publ.). eISSN 1553-8095. ISSN 0362-4331. OCLC 1645522. Retrieved 2023-10-17. Bette Davis won an Academy Award...in Jezebel...award was premature...should have been deferred until her Dark Victory came along,
  8. ^ a b Pronovost, Virginie (2017-03-27). "How Bette Davis Mesmerizes us in The Letter". The Wonderful World of Cinema. Retrieved 2023-10-17. Well, there's that non-written rule that being in a William Wyler film almost assures you a place among the Oscar nominees.
  9. ^ a b Burin, Rick (2020-10-21). Viner, Katharine (ed.). "My streaming gem: why you should watch The Little Foxes". The Guardian. eISSN 1756-3224. ISSN 0261-3077. OCLC 60623878. Retrieved 2023-10-17. Regina is simply Davis's most irresistible monster. It is a performance of startling physicality, full of inspired adornments: the way she acts down her nose at you,
  10. ^ a b Spangenberg, Kami (2023-03-17). "Call for Contentment: Now, Voyager". Classic Couple. Retrieved 2023-10-16. Bette Davis's Oscar-nominated performance held me captive,
  11. ^ a b Rogers, Nathaniel (2022-03-22). "Oscar Trivia: Who has had the most consecutive acting nominations?". The Film Experience. Retrieved 2023-10-16. Both of these runs were over by the mid-'40s. No actors in the subsequent 75+ years have equalled it with consistent every-year-Oscar-favor.
  12. ^ a b Novak, Melanie (2021-02-10). "Mr. Skeffington (1944): Ugly Bette". MelanieNovak.com. Retrieved 2023-10-16. The result was another Oscar nomination, Bette Davis's seventh.
  13. ^ a b c Elliott, Felicia (2017-03-03). "Re-thinking the 23rd Academy Awards". The Cinessential. Retrieved 2023-10-17. But it's Bette Davis who will always have my vote.
  14. ^ a b Lindsay, Brian (2022-12-05). "The Star retrospective: Bette Davis put the camp in Oscar campaign in the zenith of meta awards movies". AwardsWatch. Retrieved 2023-10-17. 'C'mon, Oscar,' says Bette Davis in The Star (1952), clutching one of her own golden statuettes from the 1930s. 'Let's you and me get drunk!'
  15. ^ a b Rittersporn, Helen (2015-12-12). "Pocketful of Miracles". Anchored Scraps. Retrieved 2023-10-17. Bette Davis was nominated for Golden Globe Award for Best Actress Motion Picture Musical or Comedy,
  16. ^ a b c d Dibdin, Emma (2017-04-03). Bailey, Glenda (ed.). "Bette Davis Was 'Devastated' By Her 1963 Oscar Loss". Harper's Bazaar. ISSN 0017-7873. Retrieved 2023-10-17. Davis was the frontrunner for her performance in What Ever Happened To Baby Jane?, and winning the award would have made her the first actress ever to win three Oscars.
  17. ^ a b c d Meenan, Devin (2023-03-09). "Bette Davis Claims Joan Crawford Cost Her The Oscar For Her Role As Baby Jane". /Film. Retrieved 2023-10-17. While Davis was nominated for Best Actress for playing Jane, Crawford got no such nod for Blanche.
  18. ^ a b McCallum, J.J. (2022-02-06). "Hush…Hush, Sweet Charlotte". A Blast from the Passed. Retrieved 2023-10-17. Bette Davis won the Laurel Award for Best Female Dramatic Performance.
  19. ^ a b c d e f Smith, J.Y. (1989-10-08). Bradlee, Ben (ed.). "ACTRESS BETTE DAVIS DIES AT 81". The Washington Post. Graham, Donald E. (publ.). ISSN 0190-8286. OCLC 2269358. Retrieved 2023-10-17. In 1977, Miss Davis became the first woman to receive the Life Achievement Award of the American Film Institute; and in 1979, she won an Emmy for the television production Strangers: The Story of a Mother and Daughter. In 1987, she was honored at the Kennedy Center.
  20. ^ a b Berk, Phil (2019-08-12). "Ready for my deMille: Profiles in Excellence–Bette Davis, 1974". GoldenGlobes.com. HFPA. Retrieved 2023-10-17. The Cecil B. deMille-winning actress is generally considered the greatest actress of all time by all who have followed her.
  21. ^ Harden, Jr., Ernest (2019-10-09). "Ernest Harden Jr. Remembers Bette Davis". Miss D. And Me. Retrieved 2023-10-18. Anyway we took all of that in stride, did our best and the movie was later nominated for an Emmy.
  22. ^ Binford, Eric (2022-12-12). "LITTLE GLORIA… HAPPY AT LAST (1982, TV-MINI-SERIES)". Diary of a Movie Maniac. Retrieved 2023-10-18. And there is Bette Davis stealing a few scenes as Gloria's paternal grandmother, Alice Gwynne Vanderbilt.
  23. ^ "5. Esposizione Internazionale d'Arte Cinematografica – Biennale di Venezia (1937) – Premi" [The 5th Venice International Film Festival (1937) – Awards] (in Italian). Venice Biennale: Historical Archive of Contemporary Arts (ASAC). Archived from the original on 25 July 2019. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  24. ^ "Awards 1951: All Awards". festival-cannes.fr. Archived from the original on 26 December 2013.
  25. ^ "Bette Davis Receives Award". San Antonio Evening News. Hearst Sr., William Randolph (publ.). AP WirePhotos. 1946-10-09. p. 6. Retrieved 2023-11-03 – via GenealogyBank; NewsBank. Bette Davis, founder and president of the Hollywood Canteen, receives the War Department's award for Meritorious Service from Brig. Gen. Robert M. Cannon for her outstanding efforts in behalf of the canteen.
  26. ^ "Department of Defense to decorate Bette Davis". The State-Times Advocate. Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Associated Press. 1983-06-07. p. 7. eISSN 2767-3618. ISSN 1056-4306. LCCN sn83016835. OCLC 10157024. Retrieved 2023-11-04 – via GenealogyBank; NewsBank. Actress Bette Davis will be decorated by the Defense Department Saturday for her 'dedicated, continuing support of the American armed forces,' it was announced today.
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