By Seth Birkenmeyer
Bette Davis' acting career spanned six decades, with roles in films such as "All About Eve" and "Jezebel" propelling her to become the first person with 10 Academy Award acting nominations to her name.
Although Davis died nearly 30 years ago, her legacy lives on in part thanks to Kathryn Sermak, who served as Davis' live-in assistant during the last decade of her life, co-founded the Bette Davis Foundation and serves as co-executor of the actress' estate.
In 2017, Sermak released "Miss D and Me," a memoir based on her experiences with the Hollywood icon. Sermak is in Williamsburg to discuss the book and the enduring legacy of the larger-than-life woman at its core.
"I believe Bette had four husbands who probably didn't know her as well as (Sermak) did," said WMBG radio personality Robert Hodge. "I couldn't put the book down because it was all so real. It inspires me. It impresses me."
Hodge initially met Sermak for a radio interview to discuss the book soon after its release, and the pair quickly became friends.
"We had a marvelous interview," Sermak said.
The Williamsburg events - one at Triangle on Wednesday and another at Williamsburg Regional Library Friday - stemmed from that friendship. Sermak will lead a discussion, field audience questions and sign copies of her book at both venues.
The events culminate in screenings of a new documentary that chronicles Davis' final public appearance before her death at the San Sebastián International Film Festival in Spain.
Davis continues to make a cultural impact. Northwestern University held a dedicated conference, "All About Bette: The Cultural Legacies of Bette Davis," last weekend.