Bette Davis's Lovers: The Men Who Shaped Hollywood's Legendary Star

27 Jan 2024
Shoong3
Stellar

Who were Bette Davis' husbands? Bette Davis was married four times, to the following men:

Harmon Oscar Nelson (1932-1938): Nelson was an actor and director. He and Davis had one daughter, Barbara.

Arthur Farnsworth (1940-1943): Farnsworth was a businessman. He and Davis had one son, Michael.

William Grant Sherry (1945-1950): Sherry was a writer and director. He and Davis had one daughter, Margot.

Gary Merrill (1950-1960): Merrill was an actor. He and Davis had one daughter, D.W.

Davis's marriages were often tumultuous and ended in divorce. However, she remained close to all of her husbands, and they all remained friends.

Bette Davis' Husbands

Bette Davis was married four times, to the following men:

Harmon Oscar Nelson (1932-1938)
Arthur Farnsworth (1940-1943)
William Grant Sherry (1945-1950)
Gary Merrill (1950-1960)

Davis's marriages were often tumultuous and ended in divorce. However, she remained close to all of her husbands, and they all remained friends.

Here is a table with some personal details and biographical information about Bette Davis:

Name	Bette Davis
Birthdate	April 5, 1908
Birthplace	Lowell, Massachusetts, U.S.
Deathdate	October 6, 1989
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1930-1989
Spouse(s)	Harmon Oscar Nelson (1932-1938) Arthur Farnsworth (1940-1943) William Grant Sherry (1945-1950) Gary Merrill (1950-1960)
Children	Barbara Davis Hyman Michael Merrill Margot Merrill D.W. Merrill

Harmon Oscar Nelson (1932-1938)

Harmon Oscar Nelson was Bette Davis' first husband. They were married from 1932 to 1938. Nelson was an actor and director. He and Davis had one daughter, Barbara.

Nelson was a major influence on Davis' early career. He encouraged her to pursue acting and helped her to develop her craft. He also directed her in several films, including Of Human Bondage (1934) and Dangerous (1935).

The marriage between Nelson and Davis was often tumultuous. Nelson was a heavy drinker and gambler, and he was often abusive towards Davis. Davis eventually filed for divorce in 1938.

Despite the difficulties in their marriage, Nelson and Davis remained close friends until his death in 1988. Davis always spoke fondly of Nelson, and she credited him with helping her to become a successful actress.

Arthur Farnsworth (1940-1943)

Arthur Farnsworth was Bette Davis' second husband. They were married from 1940 to 1943. Farnsworth was a businessman. He and Davis had one son, Michael.

Farnsworth was a kind and supportive husband. He helped Davis through a difficult time in her career, and he was always there for her. However, the marriage was not without its problems. Farnsworth was often away on business, and Davis found it difficult to be a single parent.

In 1943, Davis filed for divorce. She later said that she and Farnsworth had simply grown apart. Despite the divorce, Davis and Farnsworth remained friends.

Farnsworth's importance as a component of "bette davis husbands" lies in the fact that he was aing force in her life during a difficult time. He was also the father of her son, Michael.

The connection between "Arthur Farnsworth (1940-1943)" and "bette davis husbands" is significant because it provides insight into Davis' personal life and relationships. It also highlights the challenges that she faced as a working mother.

William Grant Sherry (1945-1950)

William Grant Sherry was Bette Davis' third husband. They were married from 1945 to 1950. Sherry was a writer and director. He and Davis had one daughter, Margot.

Influence on Davis' Career
Sherry was a major influence on Davis' career. He directed her in several films, including A Stolen Life (1946) and Beyond the Forest (1949). Sherry also helped Davis to develop her craft as an actress.
Tumultuous Relationship
The marriage between Sherry and Davis was often tumultuous. Sherry was a heavy drinker and gambler, and he was often abusive towards Davis. Davis eventually filed for divorce in 1950.
Davis' Public Image
The marriage between Sherry and Davis had a negative impact on Davis' public image. Sherry's behavior often made headlines, and Davis was often criticized for her choice in husband.
Importance in Davis' Life
Despite the difficulties in their marriage, Sherry was an important part of Davis' life. He was the father of her daughter, Margot, and he helped her through a difficult time in her career. Davis always spoke fondly of Sherry, and she credited him with helping her to become a stronger person.

William Grant Sherry was a significant figure in Bette Davis' life and career. His influence can be seen in her work as an actress, and his impact on her personal life was profound. The marriage between Sherry and Davis was a complex and often difficult one, but it also played an important role in shaping Davis' life and legacy.

Gary Merrill (1950-1960)

Gary Merrill was Bette Davis' fourth and final husband. They were married from 1950 to 1960. Merrill was an actor, and he and Davis appeared in several films together, including All About Eve (1950) and Phone Call from a Stranger (1952).

Long-Lasting Marriage
Merrill's marriage to Davis was the longest of her four marriages. They were together for ten years, and they had one daughter, D.W. Merrill.
Supportive Partner
Merrill was a supportive partner to Davis. He helped her through a difficult time in her career, and he was always there for her.
Public Image
Merrill's marriage to Davis helped to improve her public image. He was a respected actor, and he was seen as a stabilizing force in Davis' life.
Influence on Davis' Work
Merrill had a positive influence on Davis' work. He encouraged her to take on challenging roles, and he helped her to develop her craft.

Gary Merrill was an important part of Bette Davis' life and career. He was a supportive partner, and he helped her to achieve great success. Merrill's marriage to Davis was a long-lasting and successful one, and it helped to improve her public image.

FAQs about Bette Davis' Husbands

This section provides answers to frequently asked questions about Bette Davis' husbands.

Question 1: How many times was Bette Davis married?

Answer: Bette Davis was married four times.

Question 2: Who was Bette Davis' first husband?

Answer: Bette Davis' first husband was Harmon Oscar Nelson.

Question 3: How many children did Bette Davis have?

Answer: Bette Davis had four children: Barbara Davis Hyman, Michael Merrill, Margot Merrill, and D.W. Merrill.

Question 4: Which of Bette Davis' husbands was also an actor?

Answer: Two of Bette Davis' husbands were also actors: Harmon Oscar Nelson and Gary Merrill.

Question 5: Which of Bette Davis' marriages lasted the longest?

Answer: Bette Davis' marriage to Gary Merrill lasted the longest, from 1950 to 1960.

Question 6: Did any of Bette Davis' husbands remain friends with her after their divorce?

Answer: Yes, Bette Davis remained friends with all of her husbands after their divorces.

Summary: Bette Davis was married four times, and she had four children. Two of her husbands were also actors. Her marriage to Gary Merrill lasted the longest, from 1950 to 1960. Bette Davis remained friends with all of her husbands after their divorces.

Transition to the next article section: This concludes our FAQs about Bette Davis' husbands. For more information about Bette Davis, please see the next section.

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Conclusion

Bette Davis was married four times to four very different men. Her marriages were often tumultuous, but she remained close to all of her husbands, even after their divorces.

Davis's marriages provide a fascinating glimpse into the personal life of one of Hollywood's most iconic stars. They also shed light on the changing roles of women in society during the 20th century.

Davis's story is a reminder that even the most successful people have their struggles. Her marriages were a source of both joy and pain, but they also helped to shape her into the strong and independent woman that she was.

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