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.
Known For
Loco Dempsey
How to Marry a Millionaire
Jill Lynn
I Wake Up Screaming
Betty
Hollywood Lights
Singer in Trio
Follow the Fleet
Guest
The Gay Divorcee
Hat Check Girl (uncredited)
The Greeks Had a Word for Them
Lorry Jones
Pin Up Girl
Pat Lambert
Footlight Serenade
Vicky Lane
Springtime in the Rockies
Kathryn 'Kay' Latimer, also called Miss Adams
Moon Over Miami
Glenda Crawford
Down Argentine Way
Carol Brown
A Yank in the R.A.F.
Kate Farley
Coney Island
(archive footage)
Showbiz Goes to War
Francesca / Angelina
That Lady in Ermine
Laura Watson
Pigskin Parade
Freddie
The Beautiful Blonde from Bashful Bend
Girl on Couch
Cavalcade
Kitty Moran
My Blue Heaven
(archive footage)
Hollywood Blue
Jane Morrow
This Way Please
Lucy McGonagle
Child of Manhattan
Mary Roberts
The Nitwits
Mother
Mother Wore Tights
Yansci 'Jenny' Dolly
The Dolly Sisters
Barry's Fan in Taxi
Do You Love Me
Bonnie Collins
Diamond Horseshoe
Ruby Summers
Wabash Avenue
Cynthia Pilgrim
The Shocking Miss Pilgrim
Stormy Tornado
How To Be Very, Very Popular
Molly Larkins
The Farmer Takes a Wife
Betty
College Swing
Nancy Larkin
Give Me a Sailor
Bonny Kane
When My Baby Smiles at Me
A Quiet Fourth
Ruth Jarrett
Probation
Mildred Webster
Don't Turn 'em Loose
Frances
By Your Leave
Ina Firpo
The Day the Bookies Wept
Gwen
Thrill of a Lifetime
Cayenne
Student Tour
Delilah Lee
Meet Me After the Show
Susan Hayes
Man About Town
Some of Manie's Friends
Sylvia
Old Man Rhythm
Eileen O'Brien
Song of the Islands
Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)
The Kid from Spain
Alice
Love Detectives
Julie Lowndes
Three for the Show
Betty Grable
Four Jills in a Jeep
Beverly Bennett
What Price Innocence?
Kay Hudson
Call Me Mister
Madeleine Marlowe/Rosie O'Grady
Sweet Rosie O'Grady
Blonde Girl on Couch (uncredited)
Cavalcade
Barbara Jones
Hold 'Em Jail
Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)
Whoopee!
Carol Parker
Million Dollar Legs
Joyce Gilmore
Campus Confessions
Lily Blane
Tin Pan Alley
Self (archiveFootage)
Hidden Hollywood: Treasures from the 20th Century Fox Film Vaults
(archive footage)
Hidden Hollywood II: More Treasures from the 20th Century Fox Vaults
Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)
Kiki
Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)
Palmy Days
Customer Who Wants to Buy a Baby (uncredited)
Over the Counter
Susie Lee
Susie's Affairs
Vocalist
A Night at the Biltmore Bowl
Pat Lambert (archive footage)
The All-Star Bond Rally
Dorothy
Collegiate
Self (archive footage)
This Is Bob Hope...
Student
School for Romance
Student at Dormitory (uncredited)
The Age of Consent
First Stewardess (uncredited)
Melody Cruise
Chorine
New Movietone Follies of 1930
Band Singer with Ted Fio Rito
The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi
Elmer Steps Out
Self (archive footage)
The Costume Designer
(archive footage)
Wing and a Prayer
(archive footage) (uncredited)
Take It or Leave It
Self / Loco Dempsey (archive footage) (uncredited)
Marilyn
Hedda Hopper's Hollywood No. 2
Sunkist Stars at Palm Springs
Betty
Crashing Hollywood
Betty
Ferry-Go-Round
Undetermined Minor Role
Ex-Sweeties
Undetermined Minor Role (unconfirmed)
Lady! Please!
Betty - Band Singer
This Band Age
Betty Grable - Band Singer
Air Tonic
Blonde Girl
The Flirty Sleepwalker
Drawing Rumors
Hollywood Luck
Business Is a Pleasure
Once a Hero
The Spirit of 1976
Self (archive footage)
Jackie Coogan: The First Child Star
(archive footage)
Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1940s: Stars, Stripes and Singing
Chorine (uncredited)
Let's Go Places
Chorus Woman
Happy Days
(Archive Footage)
The Love Goddesses
Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Known Credits
98
Gender
Female
Birthday
1916-12-18
Place of Birth
Saint Louis, Missouri, USA
Also Known As
Elizabeth Ruth Grable