Bette Ford
Encyclopedia
Bette Ford, is an actress and former model and professional bullfighter. She was the first American woman to fight in the Plaza México
, the world's largest bullfight arena.
and The Jimmy Durante Show
.
was followed by several years of fighting as a figura (bullfighting celebrity) in Mexico and the Philippines. The studio MGM, which had offered her an acting contract before she left New York to become a bullfighter, planned a full-length feature film based on her life story, and sent several writers, among them John Meston
, the co-creator of Gunsmoke
, to meet with Ford and discuss a screenplay. Ford married Meston shortly after they met and then retired as a bullfighter.
and Honkeytonk Man, and in television series including Cheers
, L.A. Law
, Melrose Place, and Felicity
. Her voice can be heard in The Animatrix
, the companion animated DVD of the film trilogy The Matrix
, and numerous commercials.
Plaza México
The Plaza México, situated in Mexico City, is the world's largest bullring. This 48,000-seat facility is usually dedicated to bullfighting, but many boxing fights have been held there as well, including Julio César Chávez's third bout with Frankie Randall...
, the world's largest bullfight arena.
Early modeling and acting career
Bette Ford began her career as a model and actress in New York, where her modeling credits included stints as the Jantzen Bathing Suit Girl, the Camay (soap) Bride, and the Parliament Cigarette Girl, and her acting credits included appearances as a regular on The Jackie Gleason ShowThe Jackie Gleason Show
The Jackie Gleason Show is the name of a series of popular American network television shows that starred Jackie Gleason, which ran from 1952 to 1970.-Cavalcade of Stars:...
and The Jimmy Durante Show
The Jimmy Durante Show
The Jimmy Durante Show is a 51-episode half-hour comedy/variety program presented live on NBC from October 2, 1954 to June 23, 1956.-Production background:...
.
Bullfighting career
While on a modeling photo shoot in Bogotá, Colombia, Bette Ford was introduced to the renowned matador Luis Miguel Dominguín and watched him fight in the ring. Soon after, Ford left New York for Mexico to train as a bullfighter. Warner Brothers made a short documentary about her training ("Beauty and the Bull,", nominated for Best 2-Reel Short Film of 1954). Her historic debut at the Plaza MéxicoPlaza México
The Plaza México, situated in Mexico City, is the world's largest bullring. This 48,000-seat facility is usually dedicated to bullfighting, but many boxing fights have been held there as well, including Julio César Chávez's third bout with Frankie Randall...
was followed by several years of fighting as a figura (bullfighting celebrity) in Mexico and the Philippines. The studio MGM, which had offered her an acting contract before she left New York to become a bullfighter, planned a full-length feature film based on her life story, and sent several writers, among them John Meston
John Meston
John Meston was an American radio and television writer best known for creating, along with Norman MacDonnell, the long-running radio and TV series, Gunsmoke. He was born in Pueblo, Colorado....
, the co-creator of Gunsmoke
Gunsmoke
Gunsmoke is an American radio and television Western drama series created by director Norman MacDonnell and writer John Meston. The stories take place in and around Dodge City, Kansas, during the settlement of the American West....
, to meet with Ford and discuss a screenplay. Ford married Meston shortly after they met and then retired as a bullfighter.
Post-bullfighting acting career
Ford has appeared in feature films including the Clint-Eastwood-directed Sudden ImpactSudden Impact
Sudden Impact is a 1983 American crime thriller and the fourth film in the Dirty Harry series, directed by and starring Clint Eastwood...
and Honkeytonk Man, and in television series including Cheers
Cheers
Cheers is an American situation comedy television series that ran for 11 seasons from 1982 to 1993. It was produced by Charles/Burrows/Charles Productions, in association with Paramount Network Television for NBC, and was created by the team of James Burrows, Glen Charles, and Les Charles...
, L.A. Law
L.A. Law
L.A. Law is a US television legal drama that ran on NBC from September 15, 1986 to May 19, 1994. L.A. Law reflected the social and cultural ideologies of the 1980s and early 1990s and many of the cases featured on the show dealt with hot topic issues such as abortion, racism, gay rights,...
, Melrose Place, and Felicity
Felicity
Felicity is an American prime-time television drama that was produced by Touchstone Television and Imagine Television for The WB Television Network...
. Her voice can be heard in The Animatrix
The Animatrix
is a 2003 direct-to-video anthology film based on The Matrix trilogy. The film is a compilation of nine animated short films.-Production:Development of the Animatrix project began when the film series' writers and directors, the Wachowski brothers, were in Japan promoting the first Matrix film...
, the companion animated DVD of the film trilogy The Matrix
The Matrix
The Matrix is a 1999 science fiction-action film written and directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski, starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, and Hugo Weaving...
, and numerous commercials.
Filmography
- Valley of the Sun .... Bunny McGill (2011)
- The AnimatrixThe Animatrixis a 2003 direct-to-video anthology film based on The Matrix trilogy. The film is a compilation of nine animated short films.-Production:Development of the Animatrix project began when the film series' writers and directors, the Wachowski brothers, were in Japan promoting the first Matrix film...
.... (voice) The Old Woman (segment "Final Flight of the Osiris") (2003) - Final Flight of the Osiris .... (voice) The Old Woman (2003)
- The DivisionThe DivisionThe Division is an American Lifetime Television original series about a team of women police officers in the San Francisco Police Department. The series premiered on January 7, 2001 and ended on June 28, 2004 after 88 episodes.-Synopsis:...
.... (TV Episode) Mrs. Sanders (aka Heart of the City/Insult to the Body) (2002) - Felicity .... (TV Episode) Professor May (Boooz) (2001)
- ERER (TV series)ER is an American medical drama television series created by novelist Michael Crichton that aired on NBC from September 19, 1994 to April 2, 2009. It was produced by Constant c Productions and Amblin Entertainment, in association with Warner Bros. Television...
.... (TV Episode) Princess Taffeta (Fear of Commitment) (2001) - ProvidenceProvidence (TV series)Providence is an American drama series that aired on NBC starring Melina Kanakaredes. The show ran for five seasons from January 8, 1999 until December 20, 2002.-Synopsis:The show revolves around Dr...
.... (TV Episode) Hildy (Taste of providence) (1999) - ProvidenceProvidence (TV series)Providence is an American drama series that aired on NBC starring Melina Kanakaredes. The show ran for five seasons from January 8, 1999 until December 20, 2002.-Synopsis:The show revolves around Dr...
.... (TV Episode) Hildy (Blind Faith) (1999) - Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place .... (TV Episode) Marge Ryecart (aka Two Guys and a Girl) (1998)
- The LandladyThe LandladyThe Landlady is a short story by Roald Dahl.-Plot summary:The story focuses on a young and bright man named Billy Weaver who has just stepped into the world of work. Arriving in Bath for a business trip, he looks for a place to stay, and is recommended to the Bell and Dragon...
.... Justine Welch (1998) - My Engagement Party .... Estelle Salsburg (1998)
- Promised LandPromised landThe Promised Land is a term used to describe the land promised or given by God, according to the Hebrew Bible, to the Israelites, the descendants of Jacob. The promise is firstly made to Abraham and then renewed to his son Isaac, and to Isaac's son Jacob , Abraham's grandson...
.... (TV Episode) Marie Jasper (aka Home of the Brave/The Winner) 1997) - A River Made to Drown InA River Made to Drown InA River Made to Drown In is a 1997 drama film starring Michael Imperioli, Richard Chamberlain, Ute Lemper and James Duval. Directed by James Merendino, Merendino had his name removed and the film is credited to Alan Smithee...
.... Lady with Whip (1997) - Nash BridgesNash BridgesNash Bridges is an American television police drama created by Carlton Cuse. The show starred Don Johnson and Cheech Marin as two Inspectors with the San Francisco Police Department's Special Investigations Unit. The show ran for six seasons on CBS from March 29, 1996 to May 4, 2001 with a total of...
.... (TV Episode) (aka Bridges/Till Death Do Us Part) (1996) - A Face To Die For (TV Episode) .... Mrs. Berman (aka The Face) (1996)
- Life Among the Cannibals .... Betty (aka Thrill Kill) (1996)
- It Was Him or Us .... (TV Episode) Maggie Shepherd (1995)
- Party of FiveParty of FiveParty of Five is an American teen drama television series that aired on Fox for six seasons, from September 12, 1994, until May 3, 2000.Critically acclaimed, the show suffered from low ratings and after its first season was slated for cancellation...
.... (TV Episode) Miss Corso (Change Partners... and Dance) (1995) - Thunder AlleyThunder AlleyThunder Alley is an American sitcom which aired from March 9, 1994 to July 4, 1995 on ABC.-Premise:The show stars Edward Asner as retired race-car driver Gil Jones. The unaired original pilot episode featured Felicity Huffman in the role of Bobbi Turner, Gil's daughter. When ABC picked up the...
.... (TV Episode) Wanda (Guess Who's Coming To Dinner) (1995) - Tales from the CryptTales from the Crypt (TV series)Tales from the Crypt, sometimes titled HBO's Tales from the Crypt, is an American horror anthology television series that ran from 1989 to 1996 on the premium cable channel HBO...
.... (TV Episode "Surprise Party") Mrs. Peterson (1994) - Season of Change .... Granny Upton (1994)
- Melrose Place .... (TV Episode) Mrs. Wilson (Married to It) (1993)
- The Wonder YearsThe Wonder YearsThe Wonder Years is an American television comedy-drama created by Carol Black and Neal Marlens. It ran for six seasons on ABC from 1988 through 1993. The pilot aired on January 31, 1988 after ABC's coverage of Super Bowl XXII....
.... (TV Episode) Aunt Muriel (Scenes From a Wedding) (1992) - The CommishThe CommishThe Commish is a television series that aired on ABC in the United States from 1991 to 1996. The series focused on the work and home life of a suburban police commissioner in upstate New York....
.... (TV Episode) Irene Wallerstein (The Fourth Man) (1992) - Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter .... (TV Episode) De-De (1991)
- Marked for DeathMarked for DeathMarked for Death is a 1990 action film directed by Dwight H. Little. It stars Steven Seagal as John Hatcher, a former DEA troubleshooter. Upon moving back to his home town, Hatcher finds it taken over by a gang of vicious Jamaican drug dealers, led by Screwface.The film is widely considered by...
.... Kate Hatcher (1990) - The Fresh Prince of Bel-AirThe Fresh Prince of Bel-AirThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is an American television sitcom that originally aired on NBC from September 10, 1990 to May 20, 1996. The show stars Will Smith as a fictionalized version of himself, a street-smart teenager from West Philadelphia who is sent to move in with his aunt and uncle in their...
.... (TV Episode) Madame Chatchka (Bang the Drum, Ashley) (1990) - Hunter .... (TV Episode) Anna Scarlatti (Son and Heir) (1990)
- Major DadMajor DadMajor Dad is an American sitcom created by Richard C. Okie and John G. Stephens that originally ran from 1989 to 1993 on CBS, starring Gerald McRaney as Major John D. MacGillis and Shanna Reed as his wife Polly...
.... (TV Episode) Mom (Wedding) (1990) - L.A. LawL.A. LawL.A. Law is a US television legal drama that ran on NBC from September 15, 1986 to May 19, 1994. L.A. Law reflected the social and cultural ideologies of the 1980s and early 1990s and many of the cases featured on the show dealt with hot topic issues such as abortion, racism, gay rights,...
.... (TV Episode) Rusty Farrell (Open Heart Perjury) (1988) - L.A. LawL.A. LawL.A. Law is a US television legal drama that ran on NBC from September 15, 1986 to May 19, 1994. L.A. Law reflected the social and cultural ideologies of the 1980s and early 1990s and many of the cases featured on the show dealt with hot topic issues such as abortion, racism, gay rights,...
.... (TV Episode) Rusty Farrell (Belle of the Bald) (1988) - L.A. LawL.A. LawL.A. Law is a US television legal drama that ran on NBC from September 15, 1986 to May 19, 1994. L.A. Law reflected the social and cultural ideologies of the 1980s and early 1990s and many of the cases featured on the show dealt with hot topic issues such as abortion, racism, gay rights,...
.... (TV Episode) Rusty Farrell (Fetus Completus) (1988) - L.A. LawL.A. LawL.A. Law is a US television legal drama that ran on NBC from September 15, 1986 to May 19, 1994. L.A. Law reflected the social and cultural ideologies of the 1980s and early 1990s and many of the cases featured on the show dealt with hot topic issues such as abortion, racism, gay rights,...
.... (TV Episode) Rusty Farrell (The Brothers Grimm) (1987) - A Year in the LifeA Year in the LifeA Year in the Life was a 1986 Emmy Award–winning miniseries and a one hour dramatic series which ran on NBC during the 1987–1988 television season, created by Joshua Brand and John Falsey A Year in the Life was a 1986 Emmy Award–winning miniseries and a one hour dramatic series which ran on NBC...
.... (TV Episode) Jackie (Acts of Faith) (1987) - Crime StoryCrime Story (TV series)Crime Story is an NBC TV drama created by Gustave Reininger and Chuck Adamson. The executive producer was Michael Mann, who had left Miami Vice to oversee Crime Story and direct the film Manhunter. The show premiered with a two hour pilot — a movie which had been exhibited theatrically —...
.... (TV Episode) Angie (Atomic Fallout) (1987) - HotelHotel (TV series)Hotel is an American prime time drama series which aired on ABC from September 21, 1983 to May 5, 1988 in the timeslot following Dynasty....
.... (TV Episode) Mrs. Fielding (aka Arthur Hailey's Hotel/Echoes) (1985) - Crazy Like a FoxCrazy Like a Fox (TV series)Crazy Like a Fox is an American television series set in San Francisco, California, that aired on CBS from December 30, 1984 to May 3, 1986.-Overview:...
.... (TV Episode) (Fox in 3/4 Time) (1985) - CheersCheersCheers is an American situation comedy television series that ran for 11 seasons from 1982 to 1993. It was produced by Charles/Burrows/Charles Productions, in association with Paramount Network Television for NBC, and was created by the team of James Burrows, Glen Charles, and Les Charles...
.... (TV Episode) Irene Blanchard (Coach in Love: Part 2) (1984) - CheersCheersCheers is an American situation comedy television series that ran for 11 seasons from 1982 to 1993. It was produced by Charles/Burrows/Charles Productions, in association with Paramount Network Television for NBC, and was created by the team of James Burrows, Glen Charles, and Les Charles...
.... (TV Episode) Irene Blanchard (Coach in Love: Part 1) (1984) - St. ElsewhereSt. ElsewhereSt. Elsewhere is an American medical drama television series that originally ran on NBC from October 26, 1982 to May 25, 1988. The series is set at fictional St. Eligius, a decaying urban teaching hospital in Boston's South End neighborhood...
.... (TV Episode) Pat Kroll (Playing God: Part 2) (1984) - Emerald Point N.A.S.Emerald Point N.A.S.Emerald Point N.A.S is an American television drama starring Dennis Weaver that premiered on CBS on Monday, September 26, 1983. It was cancelled in 1984 after twenty-two weeks, its final episode airing March 12, 1984....
.... (TV Episode) Mrs. Randolph (Pandora's Box) (1984) - Sudden ImpactSudden ImpactSudden Impact is a 1983 American crime thriller and the fourth film in the Dirty Harry series, directed by and starring Clint Eastwood...
.... Leah (1983) - Falcon CrestFalcon CrestFalcon Crest is an American primetime television soap opera which aired on the CBS network for nine seasons, from December 4, 1981 to May 17, 1990. A total of 227 episodes were produced....
.... (TV Episode) Prison Guard (Judge and Jury) (1983) - Falcon CrestFalcon CrestFalcon Crest is an American primetime television soap opera which aired on the CBS network for nine seasons, from December 4, 1981 to May 17, 1990. A total of 227 episodes were produced....
.... (TV Episode) Prison Guard (Conspiracy) (1983) - Another Woman's Child .... (TV Episode) Bar Girl (1983)
- Honkytonk ManHonkytonk ManHonkytonk Man is a 1982 American drama film set in the Great Depression. Clint Eastwood, who produced and directed, stars with his son, Kyle Eastwood. Clancy Carlile's screenplay is based on his novel of the same name...
.... Lulu (1982) - James at 15James at 15James at 15 is an American drama series that aired on NBC in the 1977-1978 season. The series was preceded by the 1977 made-for-TV movie James at 15, intended as a pilot for the series...
.... (TV Episode) Mrs. Droste (aka James at 16/The Girl with the Bad Rep) (1977) - Emergency!Emergency!Emergency! is an American television series that combines the medical drama and action-adventure genres. It was produced by Mark VII Limited and distributed by Universal Studios...
.... (TV Episode) Juen Edwards (Hypochondricap) (1977)