The Short Version
The decades-long rivalry between Hollywood icons Joan Crawford and Bette Davis spanned studio dominance, personal romantic conflicts, Oscar battles, and their volatile collaboration on the 1962 film What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?.
Latest Development
Crawford accepts Oscar on behalf of Anne Bancroft
When Davis was nominated for Best Actress for Baby Jane but lost to Anne Bancroft, Crawford walked onstage to accept the award on behalf of the absent Bancroft.
1963 · Verified event
The Beef
Chronological, newest first. Every entry cites a source.
Beef timeline
1963
Crawford accepts Oscar on behalf of Anne Bancroft
Verified eventWhen Davis was nominated for Best Actress for Baby Jane but lost to Anne Bancroft, Crawford walked onstage to accept the award on behalf of the absent Bancroft.
Source ↗July 27, 1962
Filming begins on What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
Verified eventPrincipal photography began on What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, during which reports of set conflict and professional rivalry emerged.
Source ↗May 9, 1962
Contracts signed for What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
Verified eventContracts were signed co-starring both actresses in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?, granting Davis top billing and $60,000 plus 5 percent of profits, while Crawford received $30,000 and 15 percent of profits.
Source ↗1945
Crawford takes lead in Mildred Pierce and wins Oscar
Verified eventAfter Davis turned down the title role in Mildred Pierce, Crawford accepted the role and went on to win the Academy Award for Best Actress.
Source ↗1943
Crawford moves to Warner Bros.
Verified eventCrawford joined Warner Bros. and requested a dressing room next to Davis, sending flowers and gifts that Davis repeatedly returned.
Source ↗1936
Tension at the 1936 Academy Awards
Public statementAfter Davis won the Best Actress Academy Award for Dangerous, Crawford reportedly made a sarcastic remark regarding Davis's choice of attire.
Source ↗1935
Crawford marries Franchot Tone
Verified eventWhile Davis was co-starring with Franchot Tone in Dangerous and reportedly enamored with him, Crawford announced her engagement to Tone and subsequently married him.
Source ↗1933
Crawford's divorce announcement overshadows Davis's film launch
ReportedCrawford announced her divorce from Douglas Fairbanks Jr. on the same day Warner Bros. launched a publicity campaign for Davis's starring film Ex-Lady, drawing media attention away from Davis.
Source ↗
Where It Stands
Historical. The feud concluded with the deaths of both stars (Crawford in 1977 and Davis in 1989), leaving behind one of the most famous legendary rivalries in Hollywood history.
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Sources
- 1.SourceCrawford accepts Oscar on behalf of Anne Bancroft ·
- 2.SourceFilming begins on What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? · Jul 27, 1962
- 3.SourceContracts signed for What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? · May 9, 1962
- 4.SourceCrawford takes lead in Mildred Pierce and wins Oscar ·
- 5.SourceCrawford moves to Warner Bros. ·
- 6.SourceTension at the 1936 Academy Awards ·
- 7.SourceCrawford marries Franchot Tone ·
- 8.SourceCrawford's divorce announcement overshadows Davis's film launch ·
Allegations are attributed to the party that made them and are not statements of fact.