You can tell who raised her. She didn't back down from the attacks. You can see Bette in her!!🥰

this is the most epic mullet of all time. it really deserves an award of some kind.

All of these comments remind me to be thankful for what a wonderful mom I had. She was so kind and loving to me and made me her priority in life. When I grew up and was on my own I made her my priority in life. I thank the Lord everyday for his kindness and choosing her for me.

honor thy mother doesn't equal blind obedience ...I love that she explained it thoroughly..

The way she is describing her mother is how my mother is with me. I love Bette Davis. I dunno what happened to Bette and her daughter behind closed doors. Perhaps we will never know. But no matter what, I will always admire Bette's strength & confidence. She will always be a wonderful actress.

My mother was an artist that acted this way with me. I think unless you've walked in this woman's shoes , don't judge.

How many mothers would be delighted with their 16 year old marrying a 29 year old?

This was back in the time when people were required to put up with their parents no matter what!

She’s really quick with answers, no dummy for sure.

That's the longest mullet I have ever seen.

interesting that BD lets her father off the hook for abandoning his own daughter out of some cowardice excuse, but the woman who raised and supported her, paid for her wedding, signed the paper for her to marry at 16, and continued to work to support the entire family is somehow the bad parent here. hmm.... so sad. this is such a sheltered, privileged human being with nothing else to give her purpose except victimizing and blaming

This woman was trying to describe a narcissistic parent before people understood the phenomenon. And they attack the victim for being "mean". This is very typical and adds insult to injury to the victim. Thankfully, people have learned much about these type of people and the damage they inflict on their children and others. I respect BD very much after hearing this interview. She is brave and strong to be honest in the face of the blowback she was getting here, and elsewhere.

My wife is the kindest person anybody on earth could ever imagine and puts most to shame because her kindness is so genuine but her mother is and was born evil and you would not believe they were related.My point is that Bette Davis,s daughter is the one that knows the score and has every right to express her true feelings because she was there.

I have watched this interview many times and I don't feel Ms. Hyman is being disrespectful to her mother. I think she is being precise and analytical about their relationship, because it's important to her. Ms. Hyman's analogies are well thought out and intelligently spoken. It doesn't make me dislike Davis in anyway. In fact, it makes the situation more relatable in a human way.

You can't judge her until you have experienced the agony of living with an abusive parent for twelve years.

B.D. articulates her reasons in a very understandable way. Those who don’t understand simply don’t want to understand. I remember when the book was published and I remember various interviews such as this. I am a huge Betty Davis fan but, I believe everything B.D. says is true.

It is well documented that Bette died without a huge estate and that the enormous amount of money she made she used to support her entire family. She made sure her mother never had to work another day in her life and saved B.D.'s house from foreclosure, etc. etc. Shame on you, B.D. for turning on her like you did.

You can own a car, you can own a beautiful house or a work of Art, but you can never own a person. From the very moment you think a person is a property, that relationship starts to decay.

I found this to be a very interesting interview. She appeared to be truthful. She also looks and sounded very much like her mother.

This was back in the day when you kept all the family secrets in the closet. Thank goodness things have changed. BTW she was pretty darn respectful about her mother when she could have really dragged her.

My mother wasn't famous but she certainly behaved differently in public than when she was alone with me. I can totally relate to B.D.'s story. My mother was 'loved by all' but really was a crappy mother (self-absorbed, overly dramatic, took her emotions out on me). If Ms. Davis hadn't been so crappy as a mother, B.D. would have no reason to write a book like this. Moms who give their kids only love and roses get love and roses in return. If a child is "spoiled" its done by the parent.

I sympathize with both B.D. and Christina. I, too watched the adoration of my mother by acquaintances, friends, relatives. At home I dealt with two parents who had no coping skills. Every one of my life's milestones were a trauma for them, needing a training bra, menstruation, finding me putting on make-up at 15, pimples were all my fault, were met with snarling thru gritted teeth. I was nine when the teenager living behind us lured me into the local woods, my magical forest playground, where my mom didn't like me going, tried to get his hands down the front of my shorts, I couldn't even tell them. I was so scared that I would then become THEIR victim, because first I'd be yelled at for being there, and it would then be swept under the rug. Sex was a definite no-no to talk about, so confronting his parents with the subject was too embarrassing for them. If you think I'm exaggerating, don't even go there. I told her years later, and sure enough, the first thing out of mom's mouth was, and I quote, "Grrrrrr, I didn't want you over there!" My mental welfare about the subject wasn't even discussed. Now, I too, have to look after my mother in her declining old age, but I'm determined to do the right thing. You naysayers can say it all you want, well, you must have had some kind of idyllic childhood. So, THINK FIRST BEFORE YOU JUDGE.

I believe her and I have had similar experience with family members who are unapproachable with their head in the sand . They just want to pretend everything is ok. When she said Mother SHUTS out anything she doesnt want to hear, i can relate

Bette Davis was a great actress...but she was self centred, egotistical and extremely clever...it worked for her...extreme smoking and drinking were part of that era..however she definitely lacked empathy and boundaries! Not as broken as Joan Crawford and much more talented...they were extremely similar! Anything you resent and strongly react in another is also in you! B.D. Is allowed her own truth and she can voice it!!! Betty Davis might of been Hollywood Royalty BUT she's not a God...or infallible!

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. BD looks like her mother and has the same outspokenness, with the firm voice and opinions. That is probably why they didn't see eye to eye about a lot of things.

3:34 " Well I don't agree with you " BEST MEME 😂😂😂 smile + eye roll 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

I had a mother like BD's and I fully applaud her for surviving her childhood without being a mental case.

Betty Davis was an accomplished actress. Good for her daughter to write this book as there are plenty of people out there who have a similar situation with a parent. I have seen this kind of thing before, and is very painful and difficult. Glad her daughter found happiness.

Interesting interview. The daughter is very sharp and strong and luckily she did not have to suffer like Christina Crawford.

All too many people mistake Bette Davis' screen and talk show persona for how she really is as a private person, and as a mother. Most of these people are unable to separate their fantasies of Bette Davis from her real personality. Same can be said for Joan Crawford and Christina Crawford's relationship, they're simply fans who can't accept that they're not what they imagined.

The people interviewing B.D., were really one-sided and the guy was the worst.

A good father doesn't leave his children.

BD comes over as thoughtful and intelligent, she articulates her relationship with her mother convincingly. I am a fan of Bette Davis but can see how controlling she could be.

It shouldn't be a stretch for anybody that truly knows Bette Davis to believe she wouldn't be possessive and jealous of her daughters marriage. I believe it.

Great interview!...She really did honour her mother in what she said...she was the victim of her mother's narcissism...God bless her!

B.D could have simply written a long letter to her mother.

Whether you believe B.D. Hyman or not, or question her motives behind the book, there's no denying she comes across as a very intelligent woman. That said, I do give her credit for publishing the book before her mothers death. This at least gave Bette a chance to defend herself, which she did.

I have to laugh at the comments from all of you mental health professionals. Of course some will say that BD Hyman lied if only to stay in Davis's good graces. You didn't live in their home. Bette didn't raise you, you really know very little about their lives. Mother daughter relationships are often very complex and though I love Bette's acting chops I can certainly believe that she was a jealous and possessive woman. We all have our pluses and minuses, all of us.

Rage, possessiveness, cutting people out, fear of abandonment, need for adoration, control, manipulation, extreme sensitivity to criticism.... B.D. is describing a mother with a personality disorder (narcissistic possibly, borderline another possibility). It doesn’t diminish Bette Davis’s talent, but may help us understand her experience of life and relationships.

My mom isn’t famous but she is a narcissist so I know how she feels. Trust me this stuff isn’t easy I myself started writing a book about my experience.

I think it's perfectly possible to hold Bette Davis as the greatest motion picture actress of the 20th century, and still believe what Hyman had to say in her book. When it came out, all of Davis's colleagues, especially James Woods, couldn't come to her defense fast enough, but they only know her on professional terms, and on her best professional behavior. No defender of Davis could speak to what it was like to have Davis as a parent. And that's the substantial difference.

That man/woman that asked the first question is awful. What a different era....I really like this B.D Hyman. The public are vitriolic & not understanding, she’s eloquent and I feel very very honest and fair. I have a Bette Davis type in my life....so I get it.

Betty Davis was a person like the rest of us. No human should be glorified to the extent that they are almost turned into gods or idols. Good actress. Yes. There were other actresses just as good. I believe her daughter's story is a wonderful revelation into the life of what Betty Davis was.... as a mother. Wonderful that BD is born again. I wish it could've been said the same for Betty.

Bette Davis sounds like a narcissistic mother. I have one myself. I can relate to so much of what she's saying.

An interesting fact... when BD was 16 she married a 30 year old man! And also Bette was more like her daughters keeper b/c she financially supported her daughter and son in law for many years!

She strikes me as a down to earth woman who said it like it happened and didn't bend to any of the criticisms leveled at her over speaking the truth about her mother.

you know what. that woman should be ashamed of herself. NOBODY is perfect. i grew up with an alcoholic and addict mother, but i always loved her no matter what (and i still do). i miss her every day. i am sure bette did the best she could for this woman. now --- joan on the other hand, well that is a different story. she basically admitted that her childhood wasn't so bad compared to joans. shame on her. her mother busted her ass to try to give her the best life and maintain her career. no one is "perfect" but i couldn't imagine bette davis beating her or abusing her.

I freakin love B.D. xD her eye rolls are epic

Are there interviews half this good nowadays?

This book was wrote because her mum was famous and she could make money out of it. If she had had the childhood without the fame part added in then this book would never have been written. Watch old interviews of Bette Davis and you'll see how much love she expresses towards her daughter and grandsons.

Just because they were "screen idols" doesn't make them other worldly and above criticism - no matter how much one might have loved their movies. Some people just can't comprehend that someone they loved on screen could have possibly done or said these terrible things.

I love how people go after the ones talking about emotional abuse, rather than the abuser. If you’re abused, you should be allowed to talk about it - not keep these toxic secrets. Maybe emotional and mental abuse wouldn’t be such a popular weapon.

I can really identify with what she is saying. I am glad that you came out with what happened to you and I think you have a remarkable attitude. My mother always could not accept my marriage and instead of trying to help she would cause harm. She became very bitter and resentful and I tried to get her to get help. There finally came a time when I realized that I could not get through to her and that our relationship was deeply strained. I have taken care of my mother most of my life and out of the four children she had I was the only one that stayed by her side through many illnesses, and for the last 3 yrs. of her life I took care of her day and night when she was put on hospice. People have told me that they think my mother did love me in her own way. It just hurts that I never got her approval on anything. She made me the trustee of her trust, but acted like she did not trust me. Would tell me that she thought I was so talented but then would stand over me and criticize everything I did. She was a constant contradiction and even though it was my husband who said if my step father died first that he wanted to make a vow to take care of my mother and that is what we did. Yet she never would accept him, even when I was too sick to care for her he would stand in and she would call him her nurse. So I think that people need to think before they judge what another person has gone through. I don't think that she is trying to hurt her mother and I did not want to hurt mine. B.D. seems to be at that point were she is desperately trying to reach her mom before it is too late.

What mother wants her 16 year old daughter to marry a thirty two year old man?

Stars shouldn't have kids - Katherine Hepburn was right.

I love how B. D. stands up for herself and tells the lady in the audience ip front truth. Betty taught her to be truthful and strong.

narcissistic parents are the most savage, cruel and selfish, with their own children. those who break away from the toxic relationship with sabotaging, narcissistic parents should be applauded, it is like stepping away from your jailer, and abuser, and finding a voice at last

She comes across extremely well read and articulate, bright, smart, warm, outgoing personality. She seems likable. Well adjusted, no noticeable pathology. And, she has Bette Davis eyes.

I don't care if Bette Davis was mean or not. She will always be my favorite actress!

Think I am gonna buy the book now 30 yrs later

She has those Bette Davis eyes! Having a mother with the same mentality, where everything is good to the outside world, and any relationship I have is a challenge for her to break apart (even my relationship with my child and sibling), has ripped our lives apart. Women like these that hate men, but want their love, adore their daughter, but make their lives miserable when they love anyone but her, end up being elderly and alone. Because, for me, it took me that long to realize she wasn't going to change, or realize how much I loved her and had enough love for everyone. I had to walk away to get peace and be able to love others. I so relate to Barbara.

Hyman views her Father with rose colored glasses and he abandoned her after the divorce but she sees her Mother's flaws with 20/20 vision. It seems like this is the way children who were abandoned by their Fathers always are, most never can admit their Father's selfishly abandoned them and started new families and never looked back. It's too painful for them to admit, their Father's simply didn't care about them. Actions always speak louder than words but the child wants to believe what they are told by the Father not by what his actions say. These abandoned daughters in particular find the truth about their selfish fathers too painful.

She is as hard headed as her mother. These personal things were always kept in the family and not aired in public. B.D. in her own account, says that Betty took good care of her, it means she owes her respect and should not be publicly embarrassing her. BD has a success in marriage. She won this war of will by remaining married. Nothing had to be said in public to make it be more of a victory!. She was standing in triumph!. _I feel bad for Betty. God doesn't command children to love their parents. They are to honor them. Not bring shame on them. Not take them to the public square and whip them_

I understand what B.D. is saying. Everytime I try to get through to my mom, she also just rages or shuts down. All I want is for her to say, "I'm sorry. I had no idea. Let's start over and try to make up for lost time". How hard is that? Too hard for my mom.

She's definitely her mother's daughter!

........ well BD, what the Hell! You more or less had a Much better Life than most - JUST LET IT GO BABE!!!

God knows everyone's hearts and minds, simple. He is our judge. :)

This is her story. She should be able to write her version. Relationships have good and bad in them and no matter what the book says we will remember betty davis as a legend. Love her movies.

Ungrateful adult-child? I heard that Bette came to the financial rescue of BD and her husband more than once. Also Bette probably shouldn't allowed BD to marry so young, but she went along with BD's wishes. Maybe if BD would have worked and gone to school a few years before she married, she would have respected her mother's ability to take care of herself and understood the struggle to be a mother and maintain a career at the same time. There is always two sides of the story.

Here's the thing it's HER mother. It nobody else's has anything to say about it. Every single person has a story to tell. Her daughter felt that it was time to share HER story. If you choose to believe otherwise. You are ignorant to believe that the stars you see in the movies are innocent.

I'm just in shock at peoples reactions.

thank you for posting!

Girl im so sorry you had to deal with all that abuse. I send good vibes and good thoughts to you and hopes of a happier life from now on!!!

"She loved her mother" OHHH PLEASEEEEEEE

Bette basically lost her only biological child at aged 16. All very sad.

I see B.D. as a little girl LONGING for her mother's affection!!!! I just purchased the book by Bette Davis titled "This n That', and it's alright. So far there's ALOT of talk about her illnesses, and her 'Personal Assistant' - Kathy.

She's not bitter, just telling her story--I applaud her for it.

I've read a few of the comments and don't agree with any of them, I've watched many interviews of Betty Davis when she was young and middle aged and even older, i even watched a few interviews with Betty's daughter and her Son, when they were probably in their 30's and they showed Betty at her daughters home with her kids riding horses! Her daughter said that Betty was not a star at home not at all! She was it the kitchen cooking and was a great mom! Betty said in many interviews that she was very proud of her children particularly her Daughter! BD and even praised her! And her son who was a lawyer! And if you look for the interview where she allowed her daughter to get married at such a young age and even paid for her elaborate expensive wedding! You can actually look up that wedding and see it! .... So what im trying to point out is if her Daughter had to deal with her mother in Betty's older age and maybe Betty did want her Daughters extra attention then why not give it with love! Surely Betty deserved that! Not Her daughter to think of herself towards the end of Betty's life! It just wasn't necessary! Im sure Betty wasn't perfect! But what she did have was pretty special! And what she did give of herself to her children in raising her kids was lovely! So i believe BD should have just embraced her mother and any of her imperfections because her mother deserved that! Especially in her older age! So shame on her Daughter for not celebrating her mother and all her wonderful good things about her! Because their are many.

Bette Davis' brilliant response to her daughter Hyman in her own biography: "Dear Hyman, You constantly inform people that you wrote this book to help me understand you and your way of life better. Your goal was not reached. I am now utterly confused as to who you are or what your way of life is. Your book is a glaring lack of loyalty and thanks for the very privileged life I feel you have been given. If my memory serves me right, I've been your keeper all these many years. I am continuing to do so, as my name has made your book about me a success."

Every time she says mother take a shot.

Honestly, I have the impression B.D. was really envy of her mother, because she have to live with the fact that Bette was a legend and she couldn't ever reach this status. So she was frustrated and blames her mother for living at her shadow.

I believe here when she says it hurt Bette Davis to share. A lot of people are like that.

when she said she had a wonderful childhood, nothing else mattered. You are responsible for your own emotions when an adult. In Part 1, BD Hyman admitted her mom was a great mother growing up.

I believe her and I think she is very intelligent and understanding person.I like her personality and it's nice to have an optimistic mindset.

I have a mother with BPD and can totally relate to and understand what this woman went through.

Bette was a bad ass woman (in a positive meaning). No amount of books and or propaganda will erase her star power. Here I'm watching this in July of 2015 and Bette Davis still strikes fear and wonder in the minds and heart of all her fans. Her Daughter didn't scratch any paint off Bette..... Trust that! I love and fear Bette from her grave! LOL!

B. D. spoke truth about the scriptures. I love Bette Davis she is an extraordinary actress, but her personal we have no idea about but I caught a bit of her true personality in Jezebel. I can believe B. D.

Jesus Christ these hosts attacking her is just beyond inappropriate. This was her relationship with her mother; ask her questions and let the answer be. Challenging a guests this way implies she is in the wrong and doesn’t allow for her own experience.

I think her daughter is being truthful with her side of the story... this is her reality of her mother-daughter relationship with Bette. Nevertheless, Bette Davis is still my all-time favorite actress.

I think it's funny that people fall so in love with an acress/actor for how they know them on screen, and then defend defend defend and get so angry towards the actual FAMILY members who lived w them and know them inside out, for writing a book or talking about them in any negative manner. They have that right! Just because people were all hush hush back in the day doesn't mean it has to be that way today. They SHOULDNT be protected and thought of as so great, if they weren't. They SHOULD be embarrassed and held accountable. They weren't good parents and hurt their kids immensely and that stayed with and affected them throughout their lives. No one is meant to be perfect, but they want to portray themselves that way because of their fame and it's not right. I'm sure it wasn't easy writing these things about their mothers (BD, Joan Crawford's daughter etc..) knowing they would get hate from fans, backlash, their mothers and family members disowning them possibly, getting taken out of wills etc... but they felt they needed/wanted to for whatever reasons and it's their right. It could have been cathartic too. Everyone deals w things in their own way. Being kids of huge stars like that is already difficult, but then having to be raised w abuse and not very much love, was probably very rough and took a toll. Maybe they did the best that they could for the way that things were back then, but it's still not an excuse, and people shouldn't spit fire at the victims just because they loved the people for being iconic Hollywood stars! There's been lots of proof and people that have come forward to give credit to these kids and say that their stories are true, so…I don't get the hostility.

For years I thought BD Hyman was a villain for writing this book about her mother. Watching this interview I am impressed with how articulate she is and defends herself to the audience and the hosts. I confess that in the world of feuds I am and will always be "Team Joan". I mistakenly lumped BD in the same category as her mother. A belated 'thumbs up" to Ms Hyman.

I think it's very difficult for any woman who works. She has to be successful in her chosen profession, she must be a ❤️ loving and supportive wife, and then a caring , attentive mother. That's 3 hats to juggle and I'm sure it's hard for any woman even an OSCAR WINNING actress. ALL MOTHERS make mistakes. Give poor Bette a break !!!

I think its so hard to tell the truth about your parents, no one can possibly listen with unfiltered ears. I think its brave and candid and refreshing to hear their truth.

Like how she dodged the question about honor thy mother and father. The dishonor wasn't in keeping the focus on her marriage, the dishonor was writing a scathing, nasty book about her for the entire world to see.

SO GLAD times have changed. This was 39 years ago. So glad we are finally speaking up.

BD you are amazing lady I admire your total honesty. Why not tell the truth it has nothing to do with religion it’s facts and that’s it, I love all Bettie Davis films. Iv meat a lot of people who think it’s there child’s duty to be there only companion well we are not here to serve as someone else’s property, well done you I can see your mums spirit in you. Susan England

Enjoyed the interview with BD Hyman regarding her mother Bette Davis. I found BD to be articulate and well grounded. I believe most actors tend to be narcissistic in nature. That being said, Bette Davis was and will continue to be one of the best actresses to come out of Hollywood.

There seems like the same pattern between all of these celebrities children, many of them have this same kind of story which makes perfect sense. Their celebrity parent would have had to of been extraordinarily narcissistic, solipsistic and an ego maniac to rise to where they got to and their children obviously see that side to them that we don't see. This has almost become cliché.

Today we use the word narcissism.

I’m glad she spoke her mind and was honest about the dysfunction