Betty Grable

Betty Grable

1916-12-18 – 1973-07-02 (age 56) Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
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Biography

Betty Grable (December 18, 1916 – July 2, 1973) was an American actress, pin-up girl, dancer, model, and singer. Grable was enrolled in Clark's Dancing School at the age of three. At age 13, Grable and her mother set out for Hollywood with the hopes of stardom. There she landed several minor parts in films such as Whoopee!, New Movietone Follies of 1930, Happy Days and Let's Go Places.

In 1932, she signed with RKO Radio Pictures. The bit parts continued for the next three years until Grable was cast in By Your Leave. One of her big roles was in College Swing.. When she landed the role of Glenda Crawford in Down Argentine Way, the public finally took notice of her. Stardom came through comedies such as Coney Island and Sweet Rosie O'Grady. Her famous pin-up pose during World War II adorned barracks all around the world. With that pin-up and as the star of lavish musicals, Betty became the highest-paid star in Hollywood in 1947. Later her studio 20th Century-Fox insured her legs for a million dollars.

Betty continued to be popular until the mid-1950s, when musicals went into a decline. Her last film was How to Be Very, Very Popular. She then concentrated on Broadway and nightclubs.

She was married to actor Jackie Coogan (1937–1939) and musician Harry James (1943–1965).

Betty Grable died at age 56 of lung cancer on July 2, 1973.

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Known For

How to Marry a Millionaire
How to Marry a Millionaire

1953

as Loco Dempsey

The Gay Divorcee
The Gay Divorcee

1934

as Guest

Cavalcade
Cavalcade

1933

as Girl on Couch

Cavalcade
Cavalcade

1933

as Blonde Girl on Couch (uncredited)

I Wake Up Screaming
I Wake Up Screaming

1941

as Jill Lynn

🎦
Bob Hope's World of Comedy

1976

as Self (archive footage)

The Fabulous Allan Carr
The Fabulous Allan Carr

2017

as Self (archive)

Becoming Marilyn
Becoming Marilyn

2022

as (archive footage)

A Yank in the R.A.F.
A Yank in the R.A.F.

1941

as Carol Brown

Follow the Fleet
Follow the Fleet

1936

as Singer in Trio

Happy Days
Happy Days

1929

as Chorus Woman

My Blue Heaven
My Blue Heaven

1950

as Kitty Moran

Down Argentine Way
Down Argentine Way

1940

as Glenda Crawford

Love Detectives
Love Detectives

1934

as Alice

The Casting Couch
College Swing
College Swing

1938

as Betty

Showbiz Goes to War
Showbiz Goes to War

1982

as (archive footage)