Let’s talk about Bette Davis, one of Hollywood’s most iconic stars, whose life was as dramatic and fascinating as the characters she portrayed on screen. According to Kathryn Sermak, her last personal assistant, Bette had an uncanny ability to read people almost instantly. In fact, she believed she had a sixth sense about them. “Her mother was psychic, and Miss D always went with her hunches. She had radar,” Kathryn exclusively told Closer Weekly. This insight wasn’t just a party trick; it shaped how she interacted with everyone around her.
How a Firm Handshake Changed Kathryn’s Life
In 1979, Kathryn, then just 23 years old, met Bette Davis for the first time. After a brief encounter, she was hired on the spot—but not without a little constructive criticism. “You can tell a worthwhile person by the firmness of their handshake,” Bette once told Kathryn, who revealed this story in the latest issue of Closer Weekly. Bette believed that a strong handshake was a sign of confidence and character. Since Kathryn would represent her, Bette kindly suggested that her grip could use some improvement. This was just the beginning of a transformative journey for Kathryn, who went on to work closely with Bette during the last decade of her life.
Bette Davis: A Hollywood Career That Spanned Decades
Bette Davis wasn’t just another actress; she was a force of nature. She won two Oscars for her unforgettable performances in 1935’s Dangerous and 1938’s Jezebel, but her career extended far beyond those triumphs. Over the years, she appeared in nearly 100 films, leaving an indelible mark on Hollywood’s Golden Age. Bette lived life to the fullest, navigating relationships, raising children, and even feuding with co-stars in the press. Yet, despite her tough exterior, she had a playful side. “She loved to play practical jokes,” says Kathryn, now 62 and the author of Miss D and Me. Working with Bette wasn’t always easy, but it was certainly unforgettable.
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Life Lessons from Bette Davis
Working for Bette wasn’t just about running errands or managing her schedule. It was a masterclass in sophistication and professionalism. Kathryn quickly learned that showing up for breakfast in a bathrobe wasn’t acceptable in Bette’s world. In fact, Bette hired a butler to teach Kathryn proper dining etiquette and personally instructed her on how to walk and sit gracefully. These lessons weren’t just about appearances; they were about gaining confidence and poise. As Kathryn traveled the world with Bette, she gained invaluable life skills and a sense of self-assurance. “She gave me compliments and gave me confidence,” Kathryn confides.
Bette’s generosity didn’t stop there. If they were working on a film set, the job was demanding, often seven days a week. But when the project ended, Bette rewarded her staff with paid vacations—sometimes as long as six weeks—to any destination of their choice. It was her way of showing appreciation for their hard work.
Bette’s Playful Side: Pranks and Practical Jokes
Despite her reputation as a tough and serious actress, Bette had a playful side that many people didn’t see. She loved to laugh and often played pranks on her business associates. Kathryn became her trusted accomplice in these antics. “Cocktail hour was a ritual back then,” Kathryn recalls. During these gatherings, Bette would serve drinks in specially designed glasses that caused her guests to dribble. Watching her agent frantically wiping his chin with a handkerchief was priceless. “He’d be so embarrassed in front of Miss Davis,” Kathryn says with a laugh. Bette would maintain her composure, asking him if he was okay, all while barely containing her amusement.
But the pranks didn’t end there. Kathryn helped Bette pull off other memorable stunts, like hanging a “Just Married” sign and balloons on the car of Bette’s bachelor attorney or covering his house in toilet paper under the cover of night. “We laughed so hard!” Kathryn recalls fondly.
Bette Davis vs. Joan Crawford: The Feud That Wasn’t
Now, let’s talk about the legendary feud between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. While the media loved to sensationalize their rivalry, the truth is a bit more nuanced. “Everybody always tries to make a big to-do about her and Joan Crawford,” says Kathryn. But according to Bette herself, Joan was very professional. The only co-stars Bette refused to work with again were Faye Dunaway and Miriam Hopkins, whom she accused of trying to upstage her. As for Joan, both women were in on the joke. They took a calculated risk with their film Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?, creating a hype that revived their careers and brought them immense success. “They took a gamble, and it paid off!” Kathryn explains.
