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Betty Grable
Actor

Betty Grable

18 Dec 1916Born
2 Jul 1973Died
56Age at death
97Credits

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.

Read the full biography

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

Filmography

The 80 most recent of 97 credits.

  1. 2022Becoming MarilynFilm: (archive footage)
  2. 2012Marilyn Monroe: In The MoviesFilm
  3. 2009Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1940s: Stars, Stripes and SingingFilm: (archive footage)
  4. 1999Hidden Hollywood II: More Treasures from the 20th Century Fox VaultsFilm: (archive footage)
  5. 1995The Casting CouchFilm
  6. 1982Showbiz Goes to WarFilm: (archive footage)
  7. 1976Bob Hope's World of ComedyFilm: (archive footage)
  8. 1970Hollywood BlueFilm: (archive footage)
  9. 1963MarilynFilm: archive footage
  10. 1959Some of Manie's FriendsFilm
  11. 1957The Lucy–Desi Comedy HourSeries: Betty Grable (1 episode)
  12. 1955How to Be Very, Very PopularFilm: Stormy Tornado
  13. 1955Three for the ShowFilm: Julie Lowndes
  14. 1953How to Marry a MillionaireFilm: Loco Dempsey
  15. 1953The Farmer Takes a WifeFilm: Molly Larkins
  16. 1951Meet Me After the ShowFilm: Delilah Lee
  17. 1951Call Me MisterFilm: Kay Hudson
  18. 1950My Blue HeavenFilm: Kitty Moran
  19. 1950Wabash AvenueFilm: Ruby Summers
  20. 1949The Beautiful Blonde from Bashful BendFilm: Freddie
  21. 1948When My Baby Smiles at MeFilm: Bonny Kane
  22. 1948That Lady in ErmineFilm: Francesca / Angelina
  23. 1947Mother Wore TightsFilm: Mother
  24. 1947The Shocking Miss PilgrimFilm: Cynthia Pilgrim
  25. 1946Do You Love MeFilm: Barry's Fan in Taxi
  26. 1945The Dolly SistersFilm: Jenny Dolly
  27. 1945The All-Star Bond RallyFilm: Pat Lambert (archive footage)
  28. 1945Diamond HorseshoeFilm: Bonnie Collins
  29. 1944Take It or Leave ItFilm: (archive footage) (uncredited)
  30. 1944Pin Up GirlFilm: Lorry Jones
  31. 1944Four Jills in a JeepFilm: Betty Grable
  32. 1944Wing and a PrayerFilm: (archive footage)
  33. 1943Sweet Rosie O'GradyFilm: Madeleine Marlowe/Rosie O'Grady
  34. 1943Coney IslandFilm: Kate Farley
  35. 1942Springtime in the RockiesFilm: Vicky Lane
  36. 1942Footlight SerenadeFilm: Pat Lambert
  37. 1942Song of the IslandsFilm: Eileen O'Brien
  38. 1941Hedda Hopper's Hollywood No. 2Film
  39. 1941I Wake Up ScreamingFilm: Jill Lynn
  40. 1941A Yank in the R.A.F.Film: Carol Brown
  41. 1941Moon Over MiamiFilm: Kathryn 'Kay' Latimer, also called Miss Adams
  42. 1940Tin Pan AlleyFilm: Lily Blane
  43. 1940Down Argentine WayFilm: Glenda Crawford
  44. 1939The Day the Bookies WeptFilm: Ina Firpo
  45. 1939Million Dollar LegsFilm: Carol Parker
  46. 1939Man About TownFilm: Susan Hayes
  47. 1938Campus ConfessionsFilm: Joyce Gilmore
  48. 1938Give Me a SailorFilm: Nancy Larkin
  49. 1938College SwingFilm: Betty
  50. 1937Thrill of a LifetimeFilm: Gwen
  51. 1937This Way PleaseFilm: Jane Morrow
  52. 1936Pigskin ParadeFilm: Laura Watson
  53. 1936Don't Turn 'em LooseFilm: Mildred Webster
  54. 1936Follow the FleetFilm: Singer in Trio
  55. 1936Sunkist Stars at Palm SpringsFilm
  56. 1935CollegiateFilm: Dorothy
  57. 1935A Quiet FourthFilm
  58. 1935Old Man RhythmFilm: Sylvia
  59. 1935Drawing RumorsFilm
  60. 1935A Night at the Biltmore BowlFilm: Vocalist
  61. 1935The NitwitsFilm: Mary Roberts
  62. 1935The Spirit of 1976Film
  63. 1935This Band AgeFilm: Betty - Band Singer
  64. 1934Ferry-Go-RoundFilm: Betty
  65. 1934By Your LeaveFilm: Frances
  66. 1934The Gay DivorceeFilm: Guest
  67. 1934Student TourFilm: Cayenne
  68. 1934Susie's AffairsFilm: Susie Lee
  69. 1934Business Is a PleasureFilm
  70. 1934Love DetectivesFilm: Alice
  71. 1934Elmer Steps OutFilm
  72. 1934School for RomanceFilm: Student
  73. 1933Air TonicFilm: Betty Grable - Band Singer
  74. 1933The Sweetheart of Sigma ChiFilm: Band Singer with Ted Fio Rito
  75. 1933What Price Innocence?Film: Beverly Bennett
  76. 1933Melody CruiseFilm: First Stewardess (uncredited)
  77. 1933Child of ManhattanFilm: Lucy McGonagle
  78. 1933CavalcadeFilm: Girl on Couch, Blonde Girl on Couch (uncredited)
  79. 1932The Kid from SpainFilm: Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)
  80. 1932Over the CounterFilm: Customer Who Wants to Buy a Baby (uncredited)

Biography and credits from TMDB. This website uses TMDB and the TMDB APIs but is not endorsed, certified, or otherwise approved by TMDB.