> At a Glance
> – Ann-Margret tells Interview Magazine that Bette Davis halted 1961’s Pocketful of Miracles to fix her hair and makeup before the newcomer’s first close-up
> – The Swedish-born star calls Davis “lookin’ out for me” despite the legend’s reputation as a perfectionist
> – The role launched a 55-film career including Bye Bye Birdie, Viva Las Vegas and Tommy
> – Why it matters: A Hollywood legend’s small kindness set the tone for a six-decade career that still earns Emmys and Netflix roles
Six decades after her first day on a movie set, Ann-Margret still remembers the moment Bette Davis became her on-set guardian.
A First-Time Close-Up
During filming of 1961’s Pocketful of Miracles, Ann-Margret-then a 20-year-old newcomer-stood ready for her first close-up.
> Ann-Margret recalled:
>
> > “She was there and she, at one point, stopped all the filming and said, ‘Ann-Margret, this is your close-up, I want you to look as good as you possibly can. Makeup! Hair!'”
Davis waited until the crew finished touch-ups, then announced, “Okay, now we can go on.”
Career That Followed
The encounter launched a résumé that now spans 55 films.
Highlights include:
- Bye Bye Birdie (1963)
- Viva Las Vegas (1964)
- Tommy (1975)
On working with Tommy director Ken Russell, she said:
> Ann-Margret noted:
>
> > “I had been told about him, and that he screamed a lot, so I was ready for that. In my presence, he didn’t scream at all.”
Awards and Recent Work
- 2010: Won an Emmy for Law & Order: SVU
- 2021: Starred in Queen Bees
- 2021: Appeared in two episodes of Netflix’s The Kominsky Method
She married actor-turned-manager Roger Smith in 1967; he died in 2017.
Key Takeaways
- Bette Davis personally protected Ann-Margret during her 1961 debut
- The support helped fuel a career of 55+ films and an Emmy win
- Now 84, Ann-Margret continues acting in film and streaming series
The Swedish-born performer credits Davis’ kindness for giving her confidence to “keep going no matter what people said.”
