Betty Grable
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.
Personal Details
Also Known As
Movies (42)
This Is Bob Hope...
as Self (archive footage)
2017
Jackie Coogan: The First Child Star
as Self (archive footage)
2015
Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1940s: Stars, Stripes and Singing
as (archive footage)
2009
Hidden Hollywood II: More Treasures from the 20th Century Fox Vaults
as (archive footage)
1999
Hidden Hollywood: Treasures from the 20th Century Fox Film Vaults
as Self (archiveFootage)
1997
Showbiz Goes to War
as (archive footage)
1982
Hollywood Blue
as (archive footage)
1970
Marilyn
as Self / Loco Dempsey (archive footage) (uncredited)
1963
Some of Manie's Friends
1959
How To Be Very, Very Popular
as Stormy Tornado
1955
Three for the Show
as Julie Lowndes
1955
How to Marry a Millionaire
as Loco Dempsey
1953
The Farmer Takes a Wife
as Molly Larkins
1953
Meet Me After the Show
as Delilah Lee
1951
Call Me Mister
as Kay Hudson
1951
My Blue Heaven
as Kitty Moran
1950
The Costume Designer
as Self (archive footage)
1950
Wabash Avenue
as Ruby Summers
1950
The Beautiful Blonde from Bashful Bend
as Freddie
1949
When My Baby Smiles at Me
as Bonny Kane
1948
That Lady in Ermine
as Francesca / Angelina
1948
Mother Wore Tights
as Mother
1947
The Shocking Miss Pilgrim
as Cynthia Pilgrim
1947
Do You Love Me
as Barry's Fan in Taxi
1946
The Dolly Sisters
as Yansci 'Jenny' Dolly
1945
The All-Star Bond Rally
as Pat Lambert (archive footage)
1945
Diamond Horseshoe
as Bonnie Collins
1945
Take It or Leave It
as (archive footage) (uncredited)
1944
Pin Up Girl
as Lorry Jones
1944
Four Jills in a Jeep
as Betty Grable
1944
Wing and a Prayer
as (archive footage)
1944
Sweet Rosie O'Grady
as Madeleine Marlowe/Rosie O'Grady
1943
Coney Island
as Kate Farley
1943
Springtime in the Rockies
as Vicky Lane
1942
Footlight Serenade
as Pat Lambert
1942
Song of the Islands
as Eileen O'Brien
1942
Hedda Hopper's Hollywood No. 2
1941
I Wake Up Screaming
as Jill Lynn
1941
A Yank in the R.A.F.
as Carol Brown
1941
Moon Over Miami
as Kathryn 'Kay' Latimer, also called Miss Adams
1941
Tin Pan Alley
as Lily Blane
1940
Down Argentine Way
as Glenda Crawford
1940
TV Shows (8)
The Carol Burnett Show
as Self - Guest
1967
The Hollywood Palace
as Self - Presenter
1964
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
as Self
1962
The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour
as Betty Grable
1957
The Dinah Shore Chevy Show
as Self
1956
The Oscars
as Self
1953
What's My Line?
as Self - Mystery Guest
1950
The Ed Sullivan Show
as Self
1948