Multi Grammy Award-winning singer,comedian, author who has also proven herself to be a very capable actress in a string of both dramatic and comedic roles. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA, Bette studied drama at the University of Hawaii and got her musical career started by performing in gay bath houses with piano accompaniment from Barry Manilow. Her first album was "The Divine Miss M" released in November 1972, followed by the self titled "Bette Midler" released in November 1973, which both took off in the music charts, and Bette's popularity swiftly escalated from there.
After minor roles in several film / TV productions, Midler surprised all with her knock out performance of a hard living rock and roll singer (loosely based on the life of Janis Joplin) in The Rose, for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. In 1986, director Paul Mazursky cast Midler opposite Nick Nolte and Richard Dreyfuss in the hilarious _Down and Out in Beverley Hills (1986)_ and so began a string of very funny comedic film roles. Bette played an obnoxious wife imprisoned by her scoundrel husband played by Danny DeVito in _Ruthless People (1987)_ , was pursued by CIA and KGB spies in Outrageous Fortune, played mis-matched twins with Lily Tomlin in Big Business and shone in the tear-jerker Beaches.
Bette matched feisty James Caan in the WWII drama For the Boys, made a dynamic trio with Goldie Hawn and Diane Keaton in The First Wives Club, was back on screen with Danny DeVito for the tepid comedy Drowning Mona and turned up in the glossy remake of The Stepford Wives. Apart from her four Grammy Awards, Bette Midler has also won four Golden Globes, one Tony Award, and three Emmy Awards, plus she has sold in excess of fifteen million albums worldwide. Most recently, she toured with her sassy "Kiss My Brass" show, and is promoting her album "Bette Midler Sings the Rosemary Clooney Songbook".
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– Barry Manilow produced her first big album, The Divine Miss M.
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– In 1968, her sister was hit and killed by a car while traveling to see Bette perform on Broadway.
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– Was the final guest on The Tonight Show With Johnny Carson.
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– Trade mark: Always ends concerts with the song Ya Gotta Have Friends.
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– Performed her cabaret act at the famed gay men's club, The Continental Baths, in the 70s with Barry Manilow as her accompanist.
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– Worked at a Dole pineapple processing plant in Hawaii in her early years.
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– Listed as one of twelve Promising New Actors of 1979 in John Willis' Screen World, Vol. 31.
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– Sang with Tom Waits on I never talk to strangers on his album Foreign Affairs
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– Sang to Johnny Carson on his second-to-last show (last show was taped highlights).
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– Appeared in the music video and sang in the choir on the song We Are The World.
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– Appeared in the Rolling Stones Beast of Burden Video
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– Nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a TV-Series - Comedy/Musical at Golden Globe Awards for Bette (2001)
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– Nominated for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series at Emmy Awards for Murphy Brown (1998)
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– Nominated for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special at Emmy Awards for Bette Midler in Concert: Diva Las Vegas (1997)
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– Nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or Special at Emmy Awards for GYPSY (1994)
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– Nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role at Academy Awards for FOR THE BOYS (1992)
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– Nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical at Golden Globe Awards for OUTRAGEOUS FORTUNE (1988)
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– Nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture - Comedy/Musical at Golden Globe Awards for DOWN AND OUT IN BEVERLY HILLS (1987)
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– Nominated for Best Actress at BAFTA Awards for THE ROSE (1981)
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– Nominated for Best Motion Picture Actress - Musical/Comedy at Golden Globe Awards for DIVINE MADNESS! (1981)
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– Nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role at Academy Awards for THE ROSE (1980)
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