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Betty Grable

Betty Grable

Birthday: 1916-12-18 | Place of Birth: St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Betty Grable (1916–1973) was an American actress. 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

Acting

Year
Title

Role

1955
Star Stage

as    Cleopatra Collins

1953
How to Marry a Millionaire

as    Loco Dempsey

1953
The Farmer Takes a Wife

as    Molly Larkins

1950
My Blue Heaven

as    Kitty Moran

1948
That Lady in Ermine

as    Francesca / Angelina

1947
The Shocking Miss Pilgrim

as    Cynthia Pilgrim

1947
Mother Wore Tights

as    Mother

1946
Do You Love Me

as    Barry's Fan in Taxi (uncredited)

1945
The Dolly Sisters

as    Yansci 'Jenny' Dolly

1944
Wing and a Prayer

as    (archive footage)

1944
Four Jills in a Jeep

as    Betty Grable

1944
Pin Up Girl

as    Lorry Jones

1942
Song of the Islands

as    Eileen O'Brien

1941
A Yank in the R.A.F.

as    Carol Brown

1941
I Wake Up Screaming

as    Jill Lynn

1941
Moon Over Miami

as    Kathryn 'Kay' Latimer, also called Miss Adams

1940
Down Argentine Way

as    Glenda Crawford

1940
Tin Pan Alley

as    Lily Blane

1939
Million Dollar Legs

as    Carol Parker

1939
Man About Town

as    Susan Hayes

1938
Campus Confessions

as    Joyce Gilmore

1937
Thrill of a Lifetime

as    Gwen

1936
Pigskin Parade

as    Laura Watson

1936
Follow the Fleet

as    Singer in Trio

1935
Old Man Rhythm

as    Sylvia

1934
Love Detectives

as    Alice

1934
Ferry-Go-Round

as    Betty

1934
By Your Leave

as    Frances

1934
The Gay Divorcee

as    Guest