Biography
Who is Bette Midler?
Early life and education
Bette Midler was born in Honolulu, United States on December 1, 1945. She was the third of four children born to her parents, who were originally from New Jersey. Her mother worked as a seamstress and housewife, while her father was employed at a United States Navy base as a painter and also painted houses. Bette grew up in Aiea and attended Radford High School in Honolulu.
She later majored in drama at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, though she left after three semesters. In the summer of 1965, she relocated to New York City using earnings from working as an extra in the film Hawaii. She studied theatre at HB Studio under Uta Hagen before landing her first professional onstage roles.
Career beginnings and theatre work
Bette Midler secured her first professional onstage role in 1965 in off-off-Broadway plays by Tom Eyen. In October 1966, she joined the Broadway company of Fiddler on the Roof, eventually playing the role of Tzeitel until February 1970. She then joined the original cast of Salvation in 1969 and starred in the first professional production of the rock opera Tommy in 1971 with the Seattle Opera.
During the summer of 1970, Bette began singing at the Continental Baths, a local gay bathhouse in the basement of the Ansonia Hotel. There she built a core following and formed a close relationship with her piano accompanist Barry Manilow, who produced her first album. She later made her Broadway revival starring return in Hello, Dolly! In 2017, earning a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical.
Music and recording success
Bette Midler released her debut album, The Divine Miss M, in December 1972 on Atlantic Records. Co-produced by Barry Manilow, the album reached the Billboard Top 10, achieved Platinum certification, and earned Bette the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1973. The record featured hit singles such as Do You Wanna Dance? And Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy.
Over the decades, Bette released numerous studio albums and earned multiple accolades, including Grammy Awards for The Rose and Wind Beneath My Wings. She also held a residency at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas with her show Bette Midler: The Showgirl Must Go On from 2008 to 2010.
Film and television career
Bette Midler made her starring film debut in the 1979 musical drama The Rose, playing a drug-addicted rock star. The role earned her a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination. Her acclaimed film career expanded to include roles in Down and Out in Beverly Hills, Ruthless People, Beaches, Hocus Pocus, The First Wives Club, The Stepford Wives, and Parental Guidance, among others.
On television, Bette provided the voice of Woody the Spoon on the PBS educational series Vegetable Soup. In 1977, her first television special, Ol' Red Hair is Back, premiered and won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Special in the comedy-variety or music category.
Family and personal life
Bette Midler married Martin von Haselberg. Together they have one child, a daughter named Sophie von Haselberg. Bette has spent decades working across music, theatre, television, and film, earning widespread recognition and numerous industry awards for her extensive artistic contributions.
Birthday and age
Bette Midler was born on December 1, 1945, which makes Bette 80 years old today. That birthday falls under the Sagittarius sign. Bette shares the date with 50 other famous people.
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