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Betty Grable

Actor

Betty Grable

Born December 18, 1916 in Saint Louis, Missouri, USADied July 2, 197383 films

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.

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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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The best way into Betty Grable's work
The Gay Divorcee posterFirst watchThe Gay Divorcee19346.9as GuestSeeking a divorce from her absentee husband, Mimi Glossop travels to an English seaside resort. There she falls in love with dancer Guy Holden, whom she later mistakes for the corespondent…View film

Essential films

Ranked by acclaim and reach

Filmography

83 films as actor
  1. 1959Some of Manie's Friends
  2. 1955How to Be Very, Very PopularStormy Tornado
  3. 1955Three for the ShowJulie Lowndes
  4. 1953How to Marry a MillionaireLoco Dempsey
  5. 1953The Farmer Takes a WifeMolly Larkins
  6. 1951Meet Me After the ShowDelilah Lee
  7. 1951Call Me MisterKay Hudson
  8. 1950My Blue HeavenKitty Moran
  9. 1950Wabash AvenueRuby Summers
  10. 1949The Beautiful Blonde from Bashful BendFreddie
  11. 1948When My Baby Smiles at MeBonny Kane
  12. 1948That Lady in ErmineFrancesca / Angelina
  13. 1947Mother Wore TightsMother
  14. 1947The Shocking Miss PilgrimCynthia Pilgrim
  15. 1946Do You Love MeBarry's Fan in Taxi
  16. 1945The Dolly SistersJenny Dolly
  17. 1945Diamond HorseshoeBonnie Collins
  18. 1944Pin Up GirlLorry Jones
  19. 1944Four Jills in a JeepBetty Grable
  20. 1943Sweet Rosie O'GradyMadeleine Marlowe/Rosie O'Grady
  21. 1943Coney IslandKate Farley
  22. 1942Springtime in the RockiesVicky Lane
  23. 1942Footlight SerenadePat Lambert
  24. 1942Song of the IslandsEileen O'Brien
  25. 1941I Wake Up ScreamingJill Lynn
  26. 1941A Yank in the R.A.F.Carol Brown
  27. 1941Moon Over MiamiKathryn 'Kay' Latimer, also called Miss Adams
  28. 1940Tin Pan AlleyLily Blane
  29. 1940Down Argentine WayGlenda Crawford
  30. 1939The Day the Bookies WeptIna Firpo
  31. 1939Million Dollar LegsCarol Parker
  32. 1939Man About TownSusan Hayes
  33. 1938Campus ConfessionsJoyce Gilmore
  34. 1938Give Me a SailorNancy Larkin
  35. 1938College SwingBetty
  36. 1937Thrill of a LifetimeGwen
  37. 1937This Way PleaseJane Morrow
  38. 1936Pigskin ParadeLaura Watson
  39. 1936Don't Turn 'em LooseMildred Webster
  40. 1936Follow the FleetSinger in Trio
  41. 1936Sunkist Stars at Palm Springs
  42. 1935CollegiateDorothy
  43. 1935A Quiet Fourth
  44. 1935Old Man RhythmSylvia
  45. 1935Drawing Rumors
  46. 1935A Night at the Biltmore BowlVocalist
  47. 1935The NitwitsMary Roberts
  48. 1935The Spirit of 1976
  49. 1935This Band AgeBetty - Band Singer
  50. 1934Ferry-Go-RoundBetty
  51. 1934By Your LeaveFrances
  52. 1934The Gay DivorceeGuest
  53. 1934Student TourCayenne
  54. 1934Susie's AffairsSusie Lee
  55. 1934Business Is a Pleasure
  56. 1934Love DetectivesAlice
  57. 1934Elmer Steps Out
  58. 1934School for RomanceStudent
  59. 1933Air TonicBetty Grable - Band Singer
  60. 1933The Sweetheart of Sigma ChiBand Singer with Ted Fio Rito
  61. 1933What Price Innocence?Beverly Bennett
  62. 1933Melody CruiseFirst Stewardess (uncredited)
  63. 1933Child of ManhattanLucy McGonagle
  64. 1933CavalcadeGirl on Couch
  65. 1932The Kid from SpainGoldwyn Girl (uncredited)
  66. 1932Over the CounterCustomer Who Wants to Buy a Baby (uncredited)
  67. 1932Hold 'Em JailBarbara Jones
  68. 1932The Age of ConsentStudent at Dormitory (uncredited)
  69. 1932Hollywood LightsBetty
  70. 1932The Flirty SleepwalkerBlonde Girl
  71. 1932ProbationRuth Jarrett
  72. 1932Hollywood Luck
  73. 1932Lady! Please!Undetermined Minor Role (unconfirmed)
  74. 1932The Greeks Had a Word for ThemHat Check Girl (uncredited)
  75. 1931Once a Hero
  76. 1931Palmy DaysGoldwyn Girl (uncredited)
  77. 1931Ex-SweetiesUndetermined Minor Role
  78. 1931Crashing HollywoodBetty
  79. 1931KikiGoldwyn Girl (uncredited)
  80. 1930Whoopee!Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)
  81. 1930New Movietone Follies of 1930Chorine
  82. 1930Let's Go PlacesChorine (uncredited)
  83. 1929Happy DaysChorus Woman