« Mère de trois enfants âgés de 10, 11 et 15 ans, divorcée, de nationalité américaine, 30 ans d’expérience dans le domaine cinématographique, encore alerte et plus aimable que ne le prétend la rumeur publique, cherche emploi stable à Hollywood. Connaît Broadway. Bette Davis. Références à l’appui. » C’est cette annonce que l’actrice fait paraître, par manque de travail, dans the Hollywood Reporter en septembre 1962.It is perhaps the most famous advertisement in the history of Hollywood, an ad listed under the category « situations wanted, women/artists, » dated Sept. 21, 1962, and taking up an entire page of The Hollywood Reporter. The ad reads: « Mother of three -- 10, 11 & 15 -- divorcee. American. Thirty years experience as an actress in motion pictures. Mobile still and more affable than rumor would have it. Wants steady employment in Hollywood (has had Broadway). »
Astonishingly, the ad was placed by none other than Bette Davis, when the star was at the nadir of her storied career and desperately in need of work.