The passionate yet turbulent relationship between Gary Merrill and Bette Davis began during the production of "All About Eve" in 1950, leading to a decade-long marriage filled with intense highs and lows. Recent analyses of personal letters, biographies, and interviews provide a clearer view of their dynamic, emphasizing personal struggles that defined their union.

Ignition on "All About Eve" Set

Both were married to others—Merrill to Barbara Leeds and Davis to William Grant Sherry—when they sparked an affair while filming. This led to swift divorces and their marriage mere months later, in 1950, amidst significant Hollywood scandal.

Marriage and Domestic Turmoil

Their union included adopting two children to join Davis's daughter, B.D., yet was marked by frequent conflict. Key issues highlighted in memoirs include:

• Merrill's chronic alcoholism, which intensified arguments and strained family life.
• Davis's volatile temperament and career demands, often clashing with Merrill's own ambitions.

This volatility created a chaotic home environment, later documented in autobiographical works.

Divorce and Lingering Fallout

After a decade, they divorced in 1960 amidst mutual accusations in press conferences, revealing deep-seated bitterness. Post-separation, both publicly expressed regret, with Davis admitting the relationship was one of her greatest regrets in interviews.

Contemporary Truths Uncovered

Recent evaluations, including insights from Davis's autobiography "The Lonely Life" and Merrill's posthumously referenced accounts, underscore how addiction and incompatibility overshadowed their initial passion. This reappraisal offers a cautionary lesson on celebrity romance pitfalls, informed by a fuller historical record.