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

Cavalcade
Cavalcade

1933

as Girl on Couch

Cavalcade
Cavalcade

1933

as Blonde Girl on Couch (uncredited)

Coney Island
Coney Island

1943

as Kate Farley

Showbiz Goes to War
Showbiz Goes to War

1982

as (archive footage)

The Gay Divorcee
The Gay Divorcee

1934

as Guest

The Fabulous Allan Carr
The Fabulous Allan Carr

2017

as Self (archive)

That Lady in Ermine
That Lady in Ermine

1948

as Francesca / Angelina

Follow the Fleet
Follow the Fleet

1936

as Singer in Trio

Springtime in the Rockies
Springtime in the Rockies

1942

as Vicky Lane

Marilyn
Marilyn

1963

as archive footage

Becoming Marilyn
Happy Days
Happy Days

1929

as Chorus Woman

I Wake Up Screaming
I Wake Up Screaming

1941

as Jill Lynn

This Is Bob Hope...
This Is Bob Hope...

2017

as Self (archive footage)

Song of the Islands
Song of the Islands

1942

as Eileen O'Brien

Three for the Show
Three for the Show

1955

as Julie Lowndes

Wing and a Prayer
Wing and a Prayer

1944

as (archive footage)

Tin Pan Alley
Tin Pan Alley

1940

as Lily Blane

My Blue Heaven
My Blue Heaven

1950

as Kitty Moran