Bette Henritze facts for kids

Bette Joan Henritze (May 23, 1924 – February 22, 2018) was a talented American actress. She performed in plays, movies, and TV shows. Bette was especially famous for her work in Off-Broadway theatre. This means plays performed in smaller theaters in New York City. She won an Obie Award in 1967 for being a fantastic actress in these plays.

About Bette Henritze's Life

Bette Henritze was born on May 23, 1924, in Betsy Layne, Kentucky. Her mother, Ada, was a secretary. Her father, William, worked as an electrician. Bette moved to New York City to follow her dream. She studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. She also trained at the HB Studio.

Bette's Theatre Career

Bette Henritze started her acting career on stage. She made her first appearance on Broadway in 1948. This was in a play called Jenny Kissed Me. Back then, she was sometimes known as Bette Howe.

Early Stage Roles

In the 1950s, Bette performed with the Barter Theatre company in Virginia. She also joined the Phoenix Theatre Company in New York City. She acted in many plays with them. These included The Power and the Glory in 1959. She also appeared in Lysistrata and Peer Gynt. In 1963, she was in the first cast of The Ballad of the Sad Café. This play was written by Edward Albee.

Off-Broadway Success

Bette made her Off-Broadway debut in 1956. She performed in two plays by Seán O'Casey. She also acted in several shows for the New York Shakespeare Festival. These included famous plays like The Merchant of Venice and King Lear. In 1963, she played Mary Todd Lincoln in Abe Lincoln in Illinois. The next year, she played Emilia in Othello.

Winning an Obie Award

In 1967, Bette Henritze won a special award. She received the Obie Award for Best Actress. This award honored her excellent work in Off-Broadway theatre. She was praised for her roles in several plays. These included Measure for Measure and The Long Christmas Dinner.

Later Broadway Performances

Bette continued to perform on Broadway. In 1974, she was in the original cast of Over Here!. This musical was nominated for a Tony Award. She also appeared in Man and Superman in 1978. In 1985, she was in The Octette Bridge Club. Later, in 1990, she joined the cast of Lettice and Lovage. Her last Broadway roles were in Inherit the Wind in 1996. She also appeared in Waiting in the Wings in 1999.

Bette's Film Roles

Bette Henritze also had a successful career in movies. She made her film debut in 1971. This was in the Oscar-winning movie The Hospital.

Notable Movie Appearances

In 1982, she appeared in the Oscar-nominated film The World According to Garp. She played Mrs. Murphy in Brighton Beach Memoirs in 1986. In 1991, she was Emma in Other People's Money. She also played Mrs. Skinner in The Object of My Affection in 1998. In 1999, she appeared as Dolores Engler in Judy Berlin.

Later Film Work

Bette continued acting in films into the 2000s. In 2002, she was in Far from Heaven. This movie was also nominated for an Oscar. Her last film role was in 2009. She played Annie in Taking Woodstock.

Bette's Television Appearances

Bette Henritze also acted in many television shows. She made her TV debut on The Edge of Night. She also appeared on The Defenders. In 1965, she played the Mother in The Dangerous Christmas of Red Riding Hood. This show starred Liza Minnelli. In 1973, she reprised her stage role of Ursula for a TV version of Much Ado About Nothing. In 1996, she was in the TV movie Harvest of Fire. This movie won an Emmy Award.

Bette Henritze's Passing

Bette Henritze passed away on February 22, 2018. She was 93 years old. She died in Lynbrook, New York.