Bette Midler: Ol' Red Hair Is Back 46 years old

Bette's first major network special.

In 1977, Bette Midler's first television special premiered, featuring guest stars Dustin Hoffman and Emmett Kelly. It went on to win Bette her first Emmy Award for Outstanding Special — Comedy-Variety or Music. To make the show palatable to home viewers, the special featured heavily cleaned up versions of the material Midler was performing at that time on stage. The title of the show, Ol' Red Hair is Back, was a takeoff on the title of Frank Sinatra's recent album Ol' Blue Eyes Is Back.

Credits

Bette Midler: Ol' Red Hair Is Back Cast

Name Character
Dustin Hoffman He was 40, now 87 years old as Himself
Bette Midler She was 32, now 79 years old as Herself - Host
Emmett Kelly He was 78, 80 years old when he died as Himself

Bette Midler: Ol' Red Hair Is Back Crew

Name Department
Dwight Hemion as Director. He was 51 (81) years old when He died Directing
Tom Eyen as Writer. He was 37 (50) years old when He died Writing
Bette Midler as Writer. She was 32 (now 79) years old Writing
Pat McCormick as Writer. She was 47 (75) years old when She died Writing
Buz Kohan as Writer. He was 44 (now 91) years old Writing
Bruce Vilanch as Writer. He was 29 (now 76) years old Writing
Bette Midler: Ol' Red Hair Is Back poster
Bette Midler: Ol' Red Hair Is Back (46 years)

Bette's first major network special.

  • Release day: Wednesday, December 07, 1977
  • Runtime: 60 minutes