United Kingdom, Aug. 14 -- Bette Midler has paid tribute to the late filmmaker Mary Rydell.

The actress, 80, hailed the director for teaching her "so much" after news of his passing broke on Friday (14.08.26.)

Recalling how Mark - who has died aged 97 - directed her in her feature film debut in The Rose and reunited with her for For the Boys, Bette said on Instagram: "Mark Rydell, the director or my first film, The Rose, died this morning. He was an actor of note before he became a director, and I was so lucky to have met him when I did; he taught me so much on The Rose and later on For The Boys. Two Oscars nominations both because of him.

"He was the actor's whisperer; just a few words was all it took to understand what was needed. De...