Bootleg Betty
Bette Midler Doubles The Celebration At The 1980s Golden Globes
By Mister D
Jan 11, 2026
Bette Midler walked away with not one, but two trophies at the 1980 Golden Globes: Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy and the since-discontinued, New Star of the Year — Actress for her film, The Rose.
Bette Midler had a spectacular night at the 37th Golden Globe Awards, held on January 26, 1980, for her film debut in the 1979 musical drama The Rose.In this loosely Janis Joplin-inspired role, Midler played the self-destructive rock star Mary Rose Foster, delivering a powerful performance that showcased her singing, acting, and dramatic depth.
She took home two Golden Globes that night:
- Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical (for her starring role in The Rose)
- New Star of the Year – Actress (recognizing her breakthrough in film)
These wins marked a huge milestone, as The Rose was her first major film role after years of success as a singer and stage performer (famously known as “The Divine Miss M”).
The evening is perhaps best remembered for Midler’s hilarious and famously cheeky acceptance speech—especially for the Best Actress win—where she playfully referenced a Joan Crawford anecdote and joked about showing “a pair of Golden Globes” (complete with some comedic groping of herself), before pretending to be embarrassed and declaring, “Excuse me, I’m sorry. I’m different now. I’m a good girl!”This bold, irreverent moment perfectly captured her vaudeville-style humor and became one of the most talked-about (and quoted) speeches in Golden Globes history.
The success helped propel Midler to an Oscar nomination for Best Actress that same year (though she didn’t win the Academy Award). Overall, it was a triumphant Hollywood introduction for one of entertainment’s most versatile icons!
