JESSICA SHERR BRINGS LEGENDARY BETTE DAVIS TO LIFE ONE STAGE AT A TIME
BY EBBY MAGAZINE
Through her acclaimed one-woman show and upcoming feature film, Jessica Sherr channels the grit and brilliance of Hollywood’s golden age.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAY HAMLIN
“PORTRAYING BETTE DAVIS HAS TAUGHT ME TO NEVER GIVE UP. SHE WAS FEARLESS, RESILIENT, AND FOCUSED—QUALITIES THAT INSPIRE ME TO KEEP MOVING FORWARD WITH MY CRAFT DESPITE THE UPS AND DOWNS.”
JESSICA SHERR, ACTRESS
Jessica Sherr doesn’t just take the stage—she owns it, embodying a mix of old Hollywood allure, undeniable talent, and a profound connection to the legendary Bette Davis. In her critically acclaimed one-woman show, Bette Davis Ain’t for Sissies, Sherr doesn’t simply perform—she transforms, channeling Davis’ unmistakable fire, wit, and unflinching spirit in a way that leaves audiences captivated.
But there’s more to Sherr than her striking portrayal of an icon. As a writer and producer, she’s breaking new ground, most recently with the feature film BETTE, which she co-wrote with Caitlin Scherer. Whether she’s lighting up screens in hit shows like CLAWS, Blue Bloods, and Cloak and Dagger or passionately preserving Davis’ legacy, Sherr proves she’s a storyteller in every sense. And with personal items gifted to her by the Bette Davis Estate—a scarf, gloves, and earrings—woven into her performance, she brings a rare authenticity to every moment on stage.
We caught up with Sherr to discuss her journey, her creative process, and what it’s like to channel one of the greatest icons of all time.
What first drew you to Bette Davis, and how did the idea for Bette Davis Ain’t for Sissies come about?
It all started back in 2008—people would literally stop me in the street and tell me I looked like a “young Bette Davis.” Because people kept telling me I looked like her, I started to do some research on Bette Davis’ life. As I learned about her, I became fascinated not only by her talent and contributions to Hollywood and the arts but also by her courage, fearlessness, and strength. Bette was one of the first women of her time to speak out against the male-dominated studio system. She was the first to call out how poorly actors were being treated. As I was learning about her life, a friend of mine dared me to write a solo show, and I ended up performing a 28-minute solo show Off-Off-Broadway, and the audience loved it. I realized Bette’s story was an important one to tell, and I went on to perform the show at the New York Fringe Festival and later took the show to the prestigious Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland, where we had a sold-out run.
With over 450 performances of this show, how has your relationship with Bette Davis evolved over the years?
Bette has become like a great mentor to me. I’ve learned so much by playing her. When I first took on the role, I have to admit I was intimidated. Bette is larger than life, and I was still learning so much about myself that I didn’t know if I could fill her shoes. Over the years, my confidence has grown immensely because I’ve realized that Bette and I are actually very similar. I feel like her story has taught me to be more confident, to stand up for myself, and to never give up.
You mentioned that the Bette Davis Estate gifted you personal items for your performances. How did that happen, and what does wearing those pieces mean to you?
Kathryn Sermak of the Bette Davis Estate gifted me a pair of Bette’s gloves, a scarf, a handkerchief, and earrings to wear in the show. I was taking the show to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland and sent my script to the Bette Davis Estate. I got a call on a Sunday from her assistant, Kathryn Sermak, and she offered to help in any way she could. I flew out to Los Angeles, and Kathryn and I sat together and talked about her experience with Miss Davis. At the end of our meeting, she gave me those items that had belonged to Bette. She told me Bette would have wanted me to have something personal to wear in the show. I was so honored.
Wearing those pieces in the show means there is a part of Bette at every show. She’s with me, watching over me, and it feels incredible to have something so personal.
What has been the most challenging aspect of embodying Bette Davis on stage?
The most challenging aspect of playing Bette Davis is embodying her spirit from the inside out. I have to be truthful at every moment. She’s not someone I can just dial in. She has incredible emotional depth, and she’s smart and savvy, so it’s a wonderful challenge for me to create ALL of Miss Davis—from her vulnerability to her strength. There was a great fire inside of her spirit. Luckily, she and I have that in common. We’re both women who NEVER give up.
Your show has traveled across 30 states and three countries. What’s it like performing in such diverse venues, and how do audiences’ reactions differ?
I perform in 500 to 800-seat theaters, and every audience is so different. Some audiences really are listening audiences, which means they might not laugh as they are really engaged in the story. Others are laughing audiences, which means I have to hold for them to laugh. I love when an audience is fully engaged, and I can hear them laugh and cry, and they truly go on a journey with me.
“I’ve realized that passion fuels every creative endeavor. When you love what you do, the work never feels daunting.”
Bette Davis was known for living with a fearless purpose. How has portraying her influenced your sense of purpose in life and work?
Portraying Bette Davis has taught me to never give up. Bette was focused and fearless. I’m an artist—not just an actress—and I’m someone who has to perform and share my artistry with the world. So, having someone as fearless as Bette as a kind of mentor it’s been wonderful. I’ve learned that you have to keep on moving forward with your craft despite the ups and downs.
You’re also co-writing and developing a feature film titled BETTE. Can you share what inspired the project and how it will expand on the legacy of your stage work?
It’s incredibly special that hundreds of people have seen my play but a film version will allow me to share Bette’s story with the world. Bette is such an important icon in American culture, and no one has played her on the big screen for some reason. I think audiences across the world need to see her brilliance and her resiliency because she was truly unlike anyone else, and it’s time to celebrate her legacy.
From TV hits like CLAWS and Blue Bloods to theater, you’ve worn many hats as an actress, writer, and producer. How do you balance these creative roles, and what drives your passion across mediums?
Whether I’m acting on TV or in theater, producing a movie, or writing a script, it’s all fueled by the same thing: passion. I’m so passionate about the arts that the work I do never feels daunting or overwhelming. I love producing and writing because it allows me to create opportunities for other artists that they may not otherwise get.
Bette Davis was known for breaking the mold and challenging Hollywood norms. How has her story inspired you personally and professionally?
In my personal life, Bette Davis has given me such strength to believe in myself as a creative person. With her strength, I’ve learned I, too, can be as strong as Miss Davis. Professionally, I feel so blessed to say I will never give up. I love performing my play, and I love creating work across mediums and genres.
What’s next for you, both on stage and behind the scenes?
I’m working on a new film project and producing a dark psychological drama that’s coming out in 2025. I plan to do a lot more acting on television, and I’m also developing a movie about the life of Bette Davis for the big screen!
Click here to learn more about Jessica Sherr.
“Bette Davis was focused and fearless. She’s shown me that resilience and dedication are the keys to creating meaningful work.”
