Bette Midler
Bette Midler backstage at the Grammy Awards, February 1990
Background information
Birth name	Bette Davis Midler
Also known as	The Divine Miss M
Born	December 1, 1945 (1945-12-01) (age 62)
Origin	Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
Genre(s)	Vocal, Pop, Rock, Comedy
Occupation(s)	Singer, Actress
Years active	1965 – present
Label(s)	Atlantic (1972–1997) Warner Bros. (1998–2001) Columbia (2003–present)
Associated acts	Barry Manilow
Website	Bette Midler

Bette Davis Midler (born December 1, 1945) is an American singer, actress and comedian, also known to her fans as The Divine Miss M. Events 800 - Charlemagne judges the accusations against Pope Leo III in the Vatican Year 1945 ( MCMXLV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar Honolulu is the Capital and most populous Census-designated place (CDP in the U The State of Hawaii ( or həˈwaɪʔiː Hawaiian: Mokuāina o Hawaii) is a state in the United States located on an Archipelago in the The United States of America —commonly referred to as the A music genre is a categorical and typological construct that identifies musical sounds as belonging to a particular category and type of music that can be distinguished from other Pop music as a genre features a noticeable rhythmic element catchy melodies and hooks, a mainstream style and conventional structure Rock music is a genre of Popular music often though not necessarily employing Electric guitar, Bass guitar, and Drums. Comedy (from the Greek κωμωδίαkomodia has a popular meaning (any discourse generally intended to amuse especially in Television, Film, and An actor, actress, player or thespian (see terminology) is a person who Acts in a Dramatic production and who works In the Music industry, a record label can be a Brand and a Trademark associated with the Marketing of music recordings and Music Atlantic Records ( Atlantic Recording Corporation) is an American Record label best known for its many recordings of Rhythm & blues, Rock Warner Bros Records Inc is an American Record label that operates as a wholly owned Subsidiary of Warner Music Group. Columbia Records is an American Record label founded in 1888 Columbia is the oldest surviving Brand name in pre-recorded sound being the first record company Barry Manilow (born June 17, 1943) is an American Singer-songwriter, Musician, arranger, producer and conductor Events 800 - Charlemagne judges the accusations against Pope Leo III in the Vatican Year 1945 ( MCMXLV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar An actor, actress, player or thespian (see terminology) is a person who Acts in a Dramatic production and who works A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience primarily by making them laugh She is named after the actress Bette Davis although Davis pronounced her first name in two syllables, and Midler uses one (/bɛt/). Ruth Elizabeth "Bette" Davis (April 5 1908 – October 6 1989 was an American actress of Film, Television and Theatre. During her career, she has won four Grammy Awards, three Emmy Awards, and a Tony Award, and has been nominated for two Academy Awards. The Grammy Awards (originally called the Gramophone Awards)—or Grammys —are presented annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences The Antoinette Perry Awards for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Awards, recognize achievement in live American Theatre and are presented "The Oscar" redirects here for the film see The Oscar (film. She is currently performing a new concert show, The Showgirl Must Go On, live five nights a week as one of the current headliners at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas (together with Cher and Elton John). Caesars Palace, sometimes referred to colloquially as simply Caesars, is a luxury Hotel and Casino located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise The Las Vegas Strip (also known as The Strip) is an approximately 4 mile (6 Cher ( IPA: /ʃɛr/ born Cherilyn Sarkisian, May 20 1946 Sir Elton Hercules John CBE (born Reginald Kenneth Dwight on 25 March 1947 is an English pop / rock Singer, Composer

Biography

Early life

Midler was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. Honolulu is the Capital and most populous Census-designated place (CDP in the U ^[1] She is the daughter of Ruth (née Schindel), a seamstress and housewife, and Fred Midler, a house painter who worked at a Navy base in Hawaii. ^[2][3] Her parents were from Paterson, New Jersey and moved to Honolulu shortly before Midler was born. New Jersey ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. Midler's family was one of the few Jewish families in a mostly Asian neighborhood. PLEASE TAKE NOTE************ ^[4] She was raised in nearby Aiea and attended Radford High School [Senior Photo]^[5] in Honolulu. Aiea (ʔaiea is a Census-designated place (CDP located in Honolulu County, Hawai{{okina}}i. Admiral Arthur W Radford High School, known as Radford High School, is a Public high school in Honolulu Hawaii. She was voted in Hoss Election 1961 "Most Talkative" and in her Senior Year (Class of 1963) "Most Dramatic". ^[6] She majored in drama at the University of Hawaii (though she only attended for three semesters),^[7] and earned money in the film Hawaii (released in 1966) as an extra, playing a seasick passenger. The University of Hawaii, formally the University of Hawaii System and popularly known as UH, is a public co-educational college and university system that confers Hawaii is a 1966 American film based on the novel of the same name by James A An extra is a Performer in a Film, Television show, stage musical opera or ballet production who appears in a nonspeaking nonsinging or nondancing capacity Seasickness is a form of Motion sickness characterized by a feeling of Nausea and in extreme cases vertigo experienced after spending time on a craft

Career

In 1965, she relocated to New York City after using the money she got for playing an extra, and landed her first professional onstage role in Tom Eyen's Off-Off-Broadway plays in 1965, Miss Nefertiti Regrets and Cinderella Revisited, a children's play by day and an adult show by night. The City of New York Tom Eyen ( August 14 1940 - May 26 1991) was a Tony Award and Grammy Award winning American Playwright Off-Off-Broadway refers to theatrical productions including plays, musicals or Performance art pieces performed in New York City in smaller theatres ^[8] From 1966 to 1969 she played the role of Tzeitel in Fiddler on the Roof on Broadway; during this period her sister Judith, visiting New York to see her perform, was killed by a taxi cab. Fiddler on the Roof is a musical with music by Jerry Bock, Lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and book by Joseph Stein, set Broadway theater, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 39 large professional theaters with 500 seats or more located A taxicab, also taxi or cab, is a type of Public transport for a single passenger or small group of passengers typically for a non-shared ride

In 1970, Midler began singing in the Continental Baths, a gay bathhouse in the city, where she became close to her piano accompanist, Barry Manilow, who produced her first major album, The Divine Miss M in 1973. In the late 1960s Steve Ostrow opened the Continental Baths at 230 West 74th Street in the basement of the Ansonia Hotel in New York City. Gay bathhouses, also known as Gay Saunas or Steam baths (and sometimes called in Gay slang in some regions "the baths" or "the The piano is a Musical instrument played by means of a keyboard that produces sound by striking steel strings with Felt covered hammers Barry Manilow (born June 17, 1943) is an American Singer-songwriter, Musician, arranger, producer and conductor The Divine Miss M is the debut album by American female vocalist Bette Midler, released in 1972 on the Atlantic Records label

Bette Midler at the premiere of The Rose. The Rose is a 1979 musical - Drama film which tells the story of a self-destructive 1960s rock star who struggles to cope with (Photo by Alan Light)

In 1974, she received a Special Tony Award for her contribution to Broadway for her Clams on the Half Shell Revue at the Palace Theater. The Antoinette Perry Awards for Excellence in Theatre, more commonly known as the Tony Awards, recognize achievement in live American Theatre and are presented In 1979 she played the title role of a 1960s drug-addicted rock star, modeled after Janis Joplin, in The Rose, for which she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress. The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969 Rock and roll (also known as rock 'n' roll) is a form of Music that evolved in the United States in the late 1940s and early 1950s with roots in mostly African Janis Lyn Joplin ( January 19, 1943  – October 4, 1970) was an American singer songwriter and music arranger from The Rose is a 1979 musical - Drama film which tells the story of a self-destructive 1960s rock star who struggles to cope with Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role is one of the Academy Awards of Merit presented annually by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS to For the period of 1975–1978, she provided the voice of Woody the Spoon on the PBS educational series Vegetable Soup. The Public Broadcasting Service ( PBS) is a Non-profit Public broadcasting Television service with 354 member TV stations in the Vegetable Soup was an educational Children's television program produced by the New York State Education Department that originally ran on PBS

In 1985, she was a performer on USA for Africa's fund-raising single We Are the World, and participated at the 'Live Aid' event at JFK stadium in Philadelphia. USA for Africa (United Support of Artists for Africa was the name under which forty-five predominantly U " We Are the World " is a 1985 song written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, produced and conducted by Quincy Jones and recorded Live Aid was a multi-venue rock music concert held on. The event was organized by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for famine relief in Ethiopia Philadelphia (ˌfɪləˈdɛlfiə In 1986, she signed a contract with Touchstone Pictures, director Paul Mazursky cast her in Down and Out in Beverly Hills, beginning a successful comedic acting career. Touchstone Pictures is one of several alternate Film labels of The Walt Disney Company, established in 1984 Paul Mazursky (born April 25, 1930) is an American Film director, Screenplay writer and Actor. Down and Out in Beverly Hills is a 1986 American Comedy film, based on the French play Boudu sauvé des eaux She appeared in other popular late-1980s comedies including Ruthless People, Outrageous Fortune, and Big Business. The 1986 movie Ruthless People is a Black comedy starring Danny DeVito, Bette Midler, Judge Reinhold and Helen Slater Big Business is a 1988 farcical comedy film starring Lily Tomlin and Bette Midler. In 1988, she starred in the film drama Beaches. Beaches (also known as Forever Friends) is a 1988 Academy Award -nominated movie adapted by Mary Agnes Donoghue from the She also contributed her voice to the animated character Georgette, a snobbish poodle, in Disney's Oliver & Company that same year. Oliver & Company is a 1988 Animated feature Film in which a homeless kitten named Oliver joins a gang of dogs to survive on the 1980s New

She has won four Grammy Awards including the 1973 Best New Artist and the prestigious Record of the Year in 1989 for the # 1 hit "Wind Beneath My Wings", the theme from Beaches. The Grammy for Best New Artist has been awarded since 1960 ( Bobby Darin being the first artist to win it The Record of the Year is one of the four most prestigious Grammy Awards presented annually " Wind Beneath My Wings " is a US number-one single by Bette Midler from the soundtrack of the film Beaches. Her rendition of the 1990 "From a Distance" also earned her a Grammy and is another of her most popular songs. The song " From a Distance " was written in 1985 by American Singer-songwriter Julie Gold. When the American Film Institute announced "The 100 years of the Greatest Songs" on June 22, 2004, two of her hits were selected by the board: "Wind Beneath My Wings" (#44) and "The Rose" (#83). The American Film Institute ( AFI) is an independent Non-profit organization created by the National Endowment for the Arts, which was established in 1967 Events 217 BC - Battle of Raphia: Ptolemy IV of Egypt defeats Antiochus III the Great of the Seleucid kingdom. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " " The Rose " is a pop song written by Amanda McBroom made famous by Bette Midler in the 1979 movie The Rose.

Other films include Scenes from a Mall, For the Boys (for which she was again nominated for an Academy Award), Hocus Pocus, The First Wives Club, and The Stepford Wives. Scenes from a Mall is a 1991 satirical film directed by Paul Mazursky with a screenplay by Roger L For the Boys is a 1991 Feature film which tells the story of an 1940s actress/singer who teams with a famous performer to entertain American Hocus Pocus is a children's 1993 Halloween -themed film released by Disney, and directed by Kenny Ortega (known mainly for his The First Wives Club is an Academy Award -nominated 1996 Comedy Film, based on the same-titled 1992 novel by Olivia The Stepford Wives is a 2004 Black comedy / Science fiction film. Her television work includes an Emmy-nominated version of the stage musical Gypsy. Gypsy is a 1959 musical with music by Jule Styne, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, and a book by Arthur Laurents.

Midler won an Emmy Award in 1992 for her memorable performance on the final episode of The Tonight Show in May of that year, during which she sang an emotion-laden "One for My Baby (and One More for the Road)" to Johnny Carson. The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson was a late-night talk show hosted by Johnny Carson under the ''Tonight Show'' franchise from 1962 " One for My Baby (and One More for the Road " is a Popular song written by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer for the musical The Sky's John William “Johnny” Carson ( October 23, 1925 &ndash January 23, 2005) was an American Television host and There was speculation later that there was a falling out between Midler and the only other guest on the show, Robin Williams. Robin McLaurim Williams (born July 21 1951 or 1952 is an American television stage and film actor and Comedian who has won an Academy Award for his performance It was perceived that Midler had stolen the limelight from Williams. However, the rumors of a feud between them have been denied by both Williams and Midler, and they have since appeared together on several other talk shows, including The Rosie O'Donnell Show in 2003. The Rosie O'Donnell Show was an American daytime television talk show hosted and produced by actress and comedian Rosie O'Donnell. After her Tonight Show appearance, Midler told USA Today, "It was a great night. Robin and I had a fabulous time, and we'll never forget it. "

She had her own short-lived CBS sitcom Bette (2000–2001). CBS Broadcasting Inc ( CBS) is an American radio and Television network. Bette is a CBS Television show which premiered on October 11, 2000, lasting one season with Bette Midler playing Although the initial ratings were high, numbers soon declined and in the show's short lifespan her daughter (played by Lindsay Lohan in the pilot, then by Marina Malota starting with the third episode) and her husband were recast (Robert Hays succeeded Kevin Dunn in the final episode aired). Lindsay Dee Lohan (born July 2 1986 is an American Actress, model and Pop music Singer. Robert Hays (born July 24, 1947) is an American actor He is well known for his role in the 1980 movie Airplane! and Kevin Dunn (born February 26 1956 is an American Actor who has appeared in supporting roles in a number of films since the 1980s The show was reportedly rocked by backstage turmoil, and did not last a full season. Also in 2001, Bette or Bust, a book chronicling Midler's Divine Miss Millennium Tour was released. After years of declining sales, Bette was officially dropped from Warner Brothers in 2001.

After a long-standing feud with Barry Manilow, the two joined forces for the first time in twenty years in 2003 to record "Bette Midler Sings the Rosemary Clooney Songbook. Bette Midler Sings the Rosemary Clooney Songbook is an album by the American singer Bette Midler. " Of the project, Barry said he had a dream that he was recording with Bette again, so he called her up with the idea and she agreed that it was due time to work together again. They got Columbia Records on board and the album was an instant success, going gold in only a few short weeks. One of the songs from Rosemary Clooney Songbook "This Ole House" became Bettes first Christian radio single shipped by Rick Hendrix and his positive music movement. Richard Binghames Hendrix Jr (born January 11, 1970) better known by the name Rick Hendrix is an American promoter and songwriter of Southern The album was one of her best-selling albums in twenty years, and was nominated for a Grammy the following year. Midler also starred in the 2004 Stepford Vives as Joanna Eberhart's best friend Bobbie Markowitz. It grossed 100 million worlwide.

In 2003–2004 Midler toured her new show Kiss My Brass to sell-out crowds around the United States. In early 2005, Kiss My Brass was equally successful in Australia. After the success of her last album, Columbia Records considered releasing a live album, but it never came to pass. Instead, Bette joined forces again with Barry Manilow for another tribute album, Bette Midler Sings the Peggy Lee Songbook. Bette Midler Sings the Peggy Lee Songbook is an album by Bette Midler. Released in October 2005, the album sold 55,000 copies the first week of release and debuted at #10.

Midler has guest-starred on The Simpsons in the episode "Krusty Gets Kancelled". " Krusty Gets Kancelled " is the twenty-second and final episode of The Simpsons ' fourth season. Midler is first seen traversing a highway picking up trash when she is approached by Bart and Lisa with a request for Midler to appear on a show to revive Krusty's dying career. She appeared on Seinfeld in the episode "The Understudy," which was the season finale of that show's sixth season. Seinfeld is an American Situation comedy, or sitcom that originally aired on NBC from July 5 1989 to May 14 1998 lasting nine seasons She also appeared on The Nanny in the aptly titled episode "You Bette Your Life".

In 2006, a new Christmas album Cool Yule was released by Midler featuring the title song (written by Steve Allen) and a duet with Johnny Mathis of "Winter Wonderland/Let It Snow". Cool Yule is a holiday album by Bette Midler released on October 10, 2006. Steve Allen, born Stephen Valentine Patrick William Allen ( December 26 1921 – October 30 2000) was an American John Royce "Johnny" Mathis (born September 30, 1935) is an American Singer of Popular music. "Winter Wonderland" is a pop standard written in 1934 by Felix Bernard (composer and Richard B " Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! " (sometimes also known as " Let It Snow Let It Snow Let It Snow " or less frequently as " Let It Snow Midler next starred in the 2007 film Then She Found Me, directed by Helen Hunt and starring Hunt, Matthew Broderick and Colin Firth, and appeared on the American Idol Season 6 finale, singing "The Wind Beneath My Wings" live at the Kodak Theatre. Then She Found Me is a 2007 film directed by and starring Helen Hunt that was adapted from a 1990 Novel by Elinor Lipman. Helen Elizabeth Hunt (born June 15, 1963) is an American Emmy - Golden Globe - and Academy Award -winning actress Matthew Broderick (born March 21, 1962) is an American award-winning film and stage Actor who is best known for his roles as the title character Colin Andrew Firth (born 10 September, 1960) is an English film television and stage Actor. The sixth season of American Idol premiered on the Fox Broadcasting Company on January 16, 2007 and ran until May 23, " Wind Beneath My Wings " is a US number-one single by Bette Midler from the soundtrack of the film Beaches. The Kodak Theatre is a live theatre in the Hollywood and Highland retail dining and entertainment complex on Hollywood Boulevard and North Highland Avenue

On December 6, 2007, Midler's album Cool Yule was given a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. Events 1060 - Béla I of Hungary is crowned king of Hungary 1240 - Mongol invasion of Rus: Kiev Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.

Bette Midler has a Vegas show titled "Bette Midler: The Showgirl Must Go On" at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace. The Las Vegas Strip (also known as The Strip) is an approximately 4 mile (6 ^[10] The show has approximately 100 shows^[10] for a two year run. ^[7] The show is comprised of the staggering Harlettes, twenty female dancers and a thirteen piece band. ^[10] The show debuted on February 20, 2008. Events 1472 - Orkney and Shetland are left by Norway to Scotland, due to a Dowry payment 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common ^[10][11]

Personal life

Midler's manager and boyfriend for a significant period was Aaron Russo. Aaron Russo (February 14 1943 &ndash August 24 2007 was an American entertainment businessman film maker, and political activist

Midler married Martin von Haselberg (Harry Kipper of her opening act the Kipper Kids) on December 16, 1984 in a chapel in Las Vegas. The Kipper Kids ( Martin Rochus Sebastian von Haselberg, born January 20, 1949 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Brian Routh The Kipper Kids ( Martin Rochus Sebastian von Haselberg, born January 20, 1949 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and Brian Routh Events 755 - An Lushan revolts against Chancellor Yang Guozhong at Fanyang, initiating the An Shi Rebellion Year 1984 ( MCMLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar) Las Vegas ( Spanish: "The Meadows" is the most populous City in the state of Nevada, the seat of Clark County, and an internationally They had a daughter, Sophie Frederica Alohilani von Haselberg, on November 14, 1986. Events 1533 - Conquistadors from Spain under the leadership of Francisco Pizarro arrive in Cajamarca, Inca Year 1986 ( MCMLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar) Sophie is currently a student at Yale University.

Midler is on the Dean's Council at the Yale School of Architecture. The Yale School of Architecture is one of the constituent professional schools of Yale University.

While she was on Inside the Actor's Studio she revealed that her husband is a Duke and officially she is a Duchess. Inside the Actors Studio is the Emmy-nominated longest-running original series on the Bravo Cable television channel hosted by James Lipton

Charity work

In 1995, Midler founded the New York Restoration Project, a non-profit organization with the goal of revitalizing neglected neighborhood parks in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods of New York City. On July 7, 1995, renowned entertainer Bette Midler founded the nonprofit New York Restoration Project (NYRP with the goal of revitalizing neglected neighborhood These include Highbridge Park, Fort Washington Park, and Fort Tryon Park in upper Manhattan and Roberto Clemente State Park and Bridge Park in the Bronx. Highbridge Park is located in Washington Heights on the banks of the Harlem River near the northernmost tip of the New York City borough FortTryonjbjpg|thumb|Fort Tryon]] Fort Tryon Park is a public park located in the Inwood section of the New York City borough of Manhattan Roberto Clemente State Park is a State park in Bronx County New York in the USA.

In 1999, the city planned to auction 114 community gardens for commercial development. A community garden is a piece of land gardened by a group of people Midler led a coalition of greening organizations to save them. NYRP took ownership of 60 of the most neglected plots. Today Midler and her organization work with local volunteers and community groups to ensure that these gardens are kept safe, clean and vibrant. In 2003, Midler opened Swindler Cove Park, a new five-acre public park on the Harlem River shore featuring specially designed educational facilities and the Peter Jay Sharp Boathouse, the first community rowing facility to be built on the Harlem River in more than 100 years. See also Geography and environment of New York City The Harlem River is a navigable tidal Strait in New York City, USA that GB coxless pair of Toby Garbett & Rick Dunn at Henley Royal Regatta 2004 The organization offers free in-school and after-school environmental education programming to students from high-poverty Title I schools. Environmental education ("EE" refers to organized efforts to teach about how natural environments function and particularly how human beings can manage their behavior and

Discography

Filmography

Main article: Bette Midler filmography and television work

Tour

• 1970-1972: The Continental Baths
• 1972: Cross Country Tour
• 1973: The Divine Miss M Tour
• 1975: Clams on the Half Shell Revue
• 1975-1976: The Depression Tour
• 1977-1978: An Intimate Evening with Bette
• 1978: The Rose Live In Concert
• 1978: World Tour
• 1979-1980: Bette! Divine Madness
• 1980: Divine Madness - Pasadena
• 1982-1983: De Tour
• 1993: Experience The Divine
• 1994: Experience The Divine Again!
• 1996: Diva Las Vegas
• 1999-2000: The Divine Miss Millennium Tour
• 2003-2004: Kiss My Brass
• 2005: Kiss My Brass Down Under
• 2008-2010: The Show Girl Must Go On

See also

• List of number-one hits (United States)
• List of artists who reached number one on the Hot 100 (U.S.)
• List of number-one dance hits (United States)
• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance chart

References

External links

• Official Website
• Bette on the Boards
• Bette Midler at the Internet Movie Database
• Bette Midler at the Internet Broadway Database
• Midler Interview on Fox News Radio