Bette Davis, a cinematic legend renowned for her powerful on-screen presence and defiant off-screen persona, embraced a nomadic existence, making over 75 residences her home throughout her life. Despite her public image as a fierce trailblazer, Davis cherished the notion of 'playing house,' a childhood game that evolved into a lifelong quest for domestic stability. This profound connection to home shaped her personal journey, notably during her fourth marriage when she temporarily stepped away from her illustrious career to focus on family life. Her memoirs reveal a woman who valued the comfort and security of a personal sanctuary, acquiring properties with the same passion others might collect jewels. This exploration delves into a selection of these significant homes, offering a window into the private world of an iconic actress who navigated both the tempestuous waters of Hollywood and the serene pursuit of a stable family life.
From her early years marked by familial upheaval to her later life as a revered star, Davis's homes tell a story of resilience, independence, and a deep-seated desire for belonging. She famously challenged studio norms, demanding more challenging roles and refusing to conform to Hollywood's leading lady expectations. This unwavering spirit extended to her personal life, where her frequent changes of residence reflected an ongoing search for a place that truly felt like her own. These varied abodes, from a West Hollywood 'dream cottage' to a sprawling Maine estate, provided the backdrop to her dynamic life, mirroring her journey from a determined young actress to a seasoned icon who found solace and strength within the walls of her many homes.
The Early Years and West Coast Retreats
Bette Davis's formative years were characterized by instability, beginning with her father's departure when she was seven, which profoundly impacted her and her sister. This early experience fueled a lifelong yearning for a stable home environment, a desire she often expressed through her pursuit of various residences. In the nascent stages of her career, alongside her first husband, Harmon Nelson, and her family, Davis navigated a series of homes, including a picturesque dwelling near Malibu's Zuma Beach and a charming English-style cottage in West Hollywood. These early abodes provided a semblance of normalcy amidst her burgeoning acting career, highlighting her constant search for a personal sanctuary that could counterbalance the demands of Hollywood.
As her career flourished, Davis's homes became reflections of her evolving status and personal priorities. In 1937, she settled into a hacienda-style estate at 1700 Coldwater Canyon Drive, a sprawling property complete with a swimming pool, tennis court, and ample land. This residence, where she was known to prefer quiet evenings with books over glamorous Hollywood gatherings, also served as the setting for her enjoyment of croquet, a popular pastime among film stars of the era. Later, by 1942, Davis acquired a modest Tudor home at 1705 Rancho Avenue in Glendale, California, affectionately described as a 'two-bedroom, two-acre estate' by The New Yorker. This property, featuring stables and equestrian trails, underscored her love for the outdoors and a more private existence away from the Hollywood spotlight. Her homes during this period were not merely dwellings but deeply personal spaces that offered refuge and stability.
Coastal Sanctuaries and Enduring Affections
Following her marriage to Gary Merrill in 1950, Bette Davis sought a larger rental home in Malibu, recognizing that Merrill's existing residence was insufficient for their growing family. Having given birth to her daughter with previous husband William Grant Sherry in 1947, and subsequently adopting two more children with Merrill in 1951, Davis meticulously orchestrated their move into an oceanfront property. This period underscored her unwavering commitment to family and her consistent effort to create a nurturing home environment, even amidst her husband's filming commitments in Germany. Her memoir poignantly describes her dedication to setting up their new beachside abode, carefully integrating their lives and possessions into a shared space that symbolized their union and domestic aspirations.
The 1950s saw Davis primarily residing in Cape Elizabeth, Maine, in a distinctive white, three-story clapboard house the family humorously dubbed 'Witch-way.' This coastal estate, sprawling across eight acres with its own pond for winter skating, offered a serene escape and a strong connection to nature. Beyond her personal residences, Davis’s deep affection for animals, particularly dogs, was a constant thread throughout her life. She was a passionate advocate for animal welfare, even serving as president of Tailwaggers, an organization dedicated to caring for abandoned and lost canines. Her famous quote, 'some of them are more human than we are,' encapsulates her profound empathy and the special place dogs held in her heart, embodying her nurturing spirit that extended beyond her immediate family to those in need.
