Bette Davis: I've Had It With Gratitude

Interview with Bette Davis

Conducted by James Grissom

By Telephone

1984

Listen, I've had it with gratitude! You know I love Marian [Seldes], and she is why we are here, in this fashion, together, but she's awfully gaga about who we are and what we do and where we place our gratitude.

I am not--nor should I be--grateful because someone recognizes me as an actress. That is what I do! I recognize myself as an actress, and I show up to improve and work and give and bleed. That is what being an actress is all about, in my opinion. I do not fall to my knees because someone deigns to cast me in something. I fall to my knees if they get out of my way and let me move forward--bad or good--and then guide me to the best performance. That is their job. 

But grateful? Please, my dear, you're looking at a lot of blood and sweat when I show up to work, and there should be some gratitude that I'm even in the room. I do not know everything, but I know a lot, and that has to be acknowledged, or I'll find something else to do, somewhere else.

I am very lucky, but luck shows up fully when you do. Nothing was given to me or delivered to me as if by some fluke. I went out and earned it. I am grateful for my mother, who instilled in me a brutal work ethic: I do not fade. I am grateful that I've had health for most of my life, so I can show up and work and study and fight.

But listen to me: No one should be too far in debt to anyone because they have talent. Talent is a gift--a needed gift--and never let anyone diminish your self-respect by leading you to believe that they have allowed something to happen.

Allow less and demand more. This requires a great deal of work, and I don't think most people want to work--they just want to be famous or employed. Have some self-respect for God's sake, and move yourself into the position you deserve.

© 2020  James Grissom