Bette Davis's Marriages: Exploring Her Hollywood Love Life

20 Apr 2024
Shoong3
Dalbo

Who were the spouses of Bette Davis?

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

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

Davis's personal life was often tumultuous, and her marriages were no exception. She was known for her strong personality and her outspoken nature, which sometimes led to conflict with her spouses. However, she was also a devoted mother to her daughter, B.D. Hyman, and she remained close to her family throughout her life.

Davis's marriages provide a fascinating glimpse into the personal life of one of Hollywood's most iconic stars. They also offer a reminder that even the most successful people can face challenges in their personal lives.

Bette Davis's Spouses

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

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

Davis's marriages were often tumultuous, and she was known for her strong personality and outspoken nature. However, she was also a devoted mother to her daughter, B.D. Hyman, and she remained close to her family throughout her life.

Name	Occupation	Years Married
Harmon Oscar Nelson Jr.	Actor	1932-1938
Arthur Farnsworth	Businessman	1940-1943
William Grant Sherry	Restaurateur	1945-1950
Gary Merrill	Actor	1950-1960

Harmon Oscar Nelson Jr. (1932-1938)

Harmon Oscar Nelson Jr. was Bette Davis's first husband. They were married from 1932 to 1938. Nelson was an actor, and he appeared in several films with Davis, including "Of Human Bondage" (1934) and "Dangerous" (1935). The couple had one child together, a daughter named B.D. Hyman.

Marriage: Nelson and Davis were married for six years, from 1932 to 1938. Their marriage was often tumultuous, and they divorced in 1938.
Career: Nelson was an actor, and he appeared in several films with Davis. He also worked as a producer and director.
Children: Nelson and Davis had one child together, a daughter named B.D. Hyman.

Nelson's marriage to Davis was a significant event in his life. It helped to launch his career, and it gave him a daughter. However, the marriage was also tumultuous, and it ended in divorce. Despite the divorce, Nelson and Davis remained close friends until Nelson's death in 1988.

Arthur Farnsworth

Arthur Farnsworth was Bette Davis's second husband. They were married from 1940 to 1943. Farnsworth was a businessman, and he was not involved in the entertainment industry. The couple did not have any children together.

Farnsworth's marriage to Davis was a relatively short one, and it ended in divorce. However, it is notable for being Davis's only marriage to a non-actor. Farnsworth was a successful businessman, and he provided Davis with a stable and supportive home life. He was also a devoted stepfather to Davis's daughter, B.D. Hyman.

Despite the divorce, Farnsworth and Davis remained on good terms. Farnsworth continued to be a close friend to Davis and her daughter, and he was a pallbearer at Davis's funeral in 1989.

William Grant Sherry (1945-1950)

William Grant Sherry was Bette Davis's third husband. They were married from 1945 to 1950. Sherry was a restaurateur, and he owned several successful restaurants in Los Angeles. The couple did not have any children together.

Sherry's marriage to Davis was a relatively stable one, and it ended in divorce. However, it is notable for being Davis's only marriage to a non-actor. Sherry was a successful businessman, and he provided Davis with a stable and supportive home life. He was also a devoted stepfather to Davis's daughter, B.D. Hyman.

Despite the divorce, Sherry and Davis remained on good terms. Sherry continued to be a close friend to Davis and her daughter, and he was a pallbearer at Davis's funeral in 1989.

Sherry's marriage to Davis was an important event in his life. It helped to launch his career, and it gave him a stable and supportive home life. Sherry was a successful businessman, and he was devoted to Davis and her daughter. Despite the divorce, Sherry and Davis remained close friends until Sherry's death in 1993.

Gary Merrill (1950-1960)

Gary Merrill was Bette Davis's fourth and final husband. They were married from 1950 to 1960. Merrill was an actor, and he appeared in several films with Davis, including "All About Eve" (1950) and "The Star" (1952). The couple had one child together, a daughter named Margot Merrill.

Marriage: Merrill and Davis were married for ten years, from 1950 to 1960. Their marriage was relatively stable, and they had one child together.
Career: Merrill was an actor, and he appeared in several films with Davis. He also worked as a producer and director.
Children: Merrill and Davis had one child together, a daughter named Margot Merrill.

Merrill's marriage to Davis was a significant event in his life. It helped to launch his career, and it gave him a daughter. However, the marriage was also tumultuous, and it ended in divorce. Despite the divorce, Merrill and Davis remained close friends until Merrill's death in 1990.

FAQs about Bette Davis's Spouses

Bette Davis was married four times to the following individuals: Harmon Oscar Nelson Jr., Arthur Farnsworth, William Grant Sherry, and Gary Merrill. Her marriages were often tumultuous, but she also had close relationships with her husbands and remained friends with some of them after their divorces.

Question 1: Who was Bette Davis's first husband?

Bette Davis's first husband was Harmon Oscar Nelson Jr. They were married from 1932 to 1938 and had one child together, a daughter named B.D. Hyman.

Question 2: Who was Bette Davis's second husband?

Bette Davis's second husband was Arthur Farnsworth. They were married from 1940 to 1943 and did not have any children together.

Question 3: Who was Bette Davis's third husband?

Bette Davis's third husband was William Grant Sherry. They were married from 1945 to 1950 and did not have any children together.

Question 4: Who was Bette Davis's fourth husband?

Bette Davis's fourth and final husband was Gary Merrill. They were married from 1950 to 1960 and had one child together, a daughter named Margot Merrill.

Question 5: Did Bette Davis have any children?

Yes, Bette Davis had three children: B.D. Hyman (with Harmon Oscar Nelson Jr.), Margot Merrill (with Gary Merrill), and Michael Merrill (adopted with Gary Merrill).

Question 6: Did Bette Davis remain friends with any of her ex-husbands?

Yes, Bette Davis remained friends with some of her ex-husbands, including Arthur Farnsworth and Gary Merrill.

Bette Davis's marriages were a significant part of her life and career. They provided her with both support and challenges, and they helped to shape her into the complex and fascinating woman that she was.

Explore more about Bette Davis:Bette Davis: Early Life and Career

Tips for Researching Bette Davis's Spouses

Researching Bette Davis's spouses can be a rewarding experience, as it can provide insights into her personal life and career. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

Tip 1: Start with a reputable source.

There are many sources of information about Bette Davis and her spouses, but not all of them are reliable. When researching, it is important to start with a reputable source, such as a biography or academic journal. These sources are more likely to provide accurate and up-to-date information.

Tip 2: Be aware of biases.

When reading about Bette Davis and her spouses, it is important to be aware of biases. Some sources may be biased in favor of Davis or her spouses, while others may be biased against them. It is important to be critical of the information you read and to consider all sides of the story.

Tip 3: Use a variety of sources.

To get a well-rounded view of Bette Davis and her spouses, it is helpful to use a variety of sources. This may include books, articles, interviews, and online resources. By using a variety of sources, you can get a more complete picture of their lives and relationships.

Tip 4: Consider the context.

When researching Bette Davis and her spouses, it is important to consider the context of their lives and relationships. This includes the social and cultural norms of the time period in which they lived. By understanding the context, you can better understand their actions and motivations.

Tip 5: Be respectful.

When writing about Bette Davis and her spouses, it is important to be respectful. This means avoiding making judgments or using offensive language. It is also important to be mindful of the privacy of Davis and her family.

By following these tips, you can conduct research on Bette Davis's spouses that is accurate, informative, and respectful.

Summary of key takeaways:

Start with a reputable source.
Be aware of biases.
Use a variety of sources.
Consider the context.
Be respectful.

Conclusion: Researching Bette Davis's spouses can be a rewarding experience. By following these tips, you can conduct research that is accurate, informative, and respectful.

Conclusion

Davis's spouses were all very different men, but they all shared one thing in common: they were all devoted to her. They supported her career, they helped her raise her children, and they stood by her through thick and thin. Davis was a lucky woman to have had such loving and supportive men in her life.

The study of Bette Davis's spouses can provide us with insights into her personal life, her career, and the social and cultural norms of the time period in which she lived. It can also help us to better understand the complex nature of human relationships.

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