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

Kiki
Kiki

1931

as Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)

🎦
Bob Hope's World of Comedy

1976

as Self (archive footage)

The Costume Designer
The Costume Designer

1950

as Self (archive footage)

The Gay Divorcee
The Gay Divorcee

1934

as Guest

My Blue Heaven
My Blue Heaven

1950

as Kitty Moran

Wing and a Prayer
Wing and a Prayer

1944

as (archive footage)

Collegiate
Collegiate

1935

as Dorothy

The Fabulous Allan Carr
The Fabulous Allan Carr

2017

as Self (archive)

Cavalcade
Cavalcade

1933

as Girl on Couch

Cavalcade
Cavalcade

1933

as Blonde Girl on Couch (uncredited)

The Casting Couch
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

🎦
The Flirty Sleepwalker

1932

as Blonde Girl

Love Detectives
Love Detectives

1934

as Alice

Pin Up Girl
Pin Up Girl

1944

as Lorry Jones