Betty Grable
Acting
Born December 18, 1916 · Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
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.
Films (96)
Becoming Marilyn
2022
This Is Bob Hope...
2017
Jackie Coogan: The First Child Star
2015
Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1940s: Stars, Stripes and Singing
2009
Hidden Hollywood II: More Treasures from the 20th Century Fox Vaults
1999
Hidden Hollywood: Treasures from the 20th Century Fox Film Vaults
1997
Showbiz Goes to War
1982
Hollywood Blue
1970
Some of Manie's Friends
1959
How to Be Very, Very Popular
1955
Three for the Show
1955
How to Marry a Millionaire
1953
The Farmer Takes a Wife
1953
Meet Me After the Show
1951
Call Me Mister
1951
My Blue Heaven
1950
The Costume Designer
1950
Wabash Avenue
1950
The Beautiful Blonde from Bashful Bend
1949
When My Baby Smiles at Me
1948
That Lady in Ermine
1948
Mother Wore Tights
1947
The Shocking Miss Pilgrim
1947
Do You Love Me
1946
The Dolly Sisters
1945
The All-Star Bond Rally
1945
Diamond Horseshoe
1945
Take It or Leave It
1944
Pin Up Girl
1944
Four Jills in a Jeep
1944
Wing and a Prayer
1944
Sweet Rosie O'Grady
1943
Coney Island
1943
Springtime in the Rockies
1942
Footlight Serenade
1942
Song of the Islands
1942
Hedda Hopper's Hollywood No. 2
1941
I Wake Up Screaming
1941
A Yank in the R.A.F.
1941
Moon Over Miami
1941
Tin Pan Alley
1940
Down Argentine Way
1940
The Day the Bookies Wept
1939
Million Dollar Legs
1939
Man About Town
1939
Campus Confessions
1938
Give Me a Sailor
1938
College Swing
1938
Thrill of a Lifetime
1937
This Way Please
1937
Pigskin Parade
1936
Don't Turn 'em Loose
1936
Follow the Fleet
1936
Collegiate
1936
Sunkist Stars at Palm Springs
1936
A Quiet Fourth
1935
Old Man Rhythm
1935
Drawing Rumors
1935
A Night at the Biltmore Bowl
1935
The Nitwits
1935
The Spirit of 1976
1935
This Band Age
1935
Ferry-Go-Round
1934
By Your Leave
1934
The Gay Divorcee
1934
Student Tour
1934
Susie's Affairs
1934
Business Is a Pleasure
1934
Love Detectives
1934
Elmer Steps Out
1934
School for Romance
1934
Air Tonic
1933
The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi
1933
What Price Innocence?
1933
Melody Cruise
1933
Child of Manhattan
1933
Cavalcade
1933
The Kid from Spain
1932
Over the Counter
1932
Hold 'Em Jail
1932
The Age of Consent
1932
Hollywood Lights
1932
The Flirty Sleepwalker
1932
Probation
1932
Hollywood Luck
1932
Lady! Please!
1932
The Greeks Had a Word for Them
1932
Once a Hero
1931
Palmy Days
1931
Ex-Sweeties
1931
Crashing Hollywood
1931
Kiki
1931
Whoopee!
1930
New Movietone Follies of 1930
1930
Let's Go Places
1930
Happy Days
1929