Biography:

Actress. Born Bette Joan Henritze, her father was an electrician, her mother was a secretary, Bette studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. This led to her Broadway debut in the production "Jenny Kissed Me" (1948). Over the next four decades, she would appear in scores of wide range stage productions which included several Shakespearian plays. She distinguished herself in 1967, when she received the Obie Award for her performances in the production "The Rimers of Eldritch". She had a lengthy career in TV, as she appeared on such programs as "The Defenders", "East Side/West Side", "The Doctors and the Nurses" and "N.Y.P.D." among many others. Her film credits include the Oscar garnered "The Hospital" (1971) and "The World According to Garp" (1982).