When What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? premiered on October 26, 1962, Bette Davis was 54 years old, and Joan Crawford was 58 years old.
The Ages of Hollywood Legends in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
The iconic 1962 psychological thriller, directed by Robert Aldrich, famously brought together Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, two of Hollywood's most formidable actresses, to portray the feuding sisters Jane and Blanche Hudson. At the time of the film's production and release, both stars were in a phase of their careers where roles for women over 50 were scarce, making their powerful performances even more notable.
The film's compelling dynamic was undoubtedly influenced by the real-life competitive history between the two stars. While the reference noted that both were "then in their mid 50s," precise calculations based on their birth dates and the film's release year confirm their exact ages.
Age Breakdown
To provide the exact ages, we consider their birth dates and the release date of the film:
- Film Release Date: October 26, 1962
Here's how their ages align:
| Actress | Birth Date | Age at Film's Release (Oct 1962) |
|---|---|---|
| Bette Davis | April 5, 1908 | 54 years old |
| Joan Crawford | March 23, 1904 | 58 years old |
Bette Davis, born on April 5, 1908, had already celebrated her 54th birthday by the time the film was released in October 1962. Similarly, Joan Crawford, born on March 23, 1904, had passed her 58th birthday before the movie hit theaters. This placed them squarely in the age bracket described as "mid 50s" within the context of the film's production.
