BETTE MIDLER (Mona Dearly) first captivated the nation in the early '70's in the persona of the outrageous chanteuse, "The Divine Miss M," and has gone on to become an internationally recognized superstar of film, television, concerts and recordings.
Born and raised in Honolulu, Midler made her first film appearance as an extra in director George Roy Hill's "Hawaii." The role required her to be travel to Los Angeles for the final shooting, and shortly thereafter. she moved to New York. Within months of that move, she made her stage debut in "Miss Nefertiti Regrets" and went on to the role of 'Tzeitel' in "Fiddler On the Roof." Following singing engagements at several New York cabarets, she began a record-breaking run at New York's Continental Baths, creating a sensation that led to a nationwide tour and a recording contract with Atlantic Records. She won the Best New Artist Grammy Award in 1973 for her debut album "The Divine Miss M," which went on to earn platinum status.
Over the next few years, Midler starred in the "Clams on the Half Shell" revue, "The Fabulous Bette Midler Show" for HBO, the Emmy winning television special "Ol Red Hair is Back" and released five more record albums. Her portrayal of the tormented, self-destructive rock singer in Mark Rydell's "The Rose" earned the actress an Academy Award nomination and two Golden Globes for Best Actress and Newcomer of the Year. The soundtrack for the film went platinum. She followed that with the Broadway run of "Divine Madness," which was adapted for film by director Michael Ritchie. Midler has since starred in films such as "Down and Out in Beverly Hills," "Outrageous Fortune," "Big Business," "Beaches," "Stella," "Scenes From a Mall," "For the Boys." for which she received a Golden Globe and Oscar nomination for Best Actress, "Hocus Pocus" and the smash hit comedy "The First Wives Club" with Goldie Hawn and Diane Keaton. For her portrayal of Mama Rose in the CBS-TV special presentation of the Broadway musical "Gvpsy," Midler received another Golden Globe as Best Actress, and a special award for Outstanding Television Performance from the National Board of Review. She also received an Emmy for her appearance on "The Tonight Show's" farewell to Johnny Carson.
Most recently, the actress starred with Dennis Farina in "That Old Feeling" for All Girl Productions, the company founded by Midler and partner Bonnie Bruckheimer. All Girl also co produced the hit film "Man of the House," starring Chevy Chase and Jonathan Taylor Thomas. And their most recent production, "Isn't She Great?" with Midler portraying prolific author Jacqueline Susann.
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