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

The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

What's My Line?

The Carol Burnett Show

The Ed Sullivan Show

The Oscars

The Dinah Shore Chevy Show

The Hollywood Palace

The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour

All Movies (103)

• Becoming Marilyn2022
• This Is Bob Hope...2017 · as Self (archive footage)
• The Fabulous Allan Carr2017 · as Self (archive)
• Jackie Coogan: The First Child Star2015 · as Self (archive footage)
• Marilyn Monroe: In The Movies2012
• Marilyn at the Movies2011 · as Self (archive footage)
• Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1940s: Stars, Stripes and Singing2009 · as (archive footage)
• Hidden Hollywood II: More Treasures from the 20th Century Fox Vaults1999 · as (archive footage)
• Hidden Hollywood: Treasures from the 20th Century Fox Film Vaults1997 · as Self (archiveFootage)
• The Casting Couch1995
• Showbiz Goes to War1982 · as (archive footage)
• Bob Hope's World of Comedy1976 · as Self (archive footage)
• Hollywood Blue1970 · as (archive footage)
• Marilyn1963 · as archive footage
• Some of Manie's Friends1959
• How to Be Very, Very Popular1955 · as Stormy Tornado
• Three for the Show1955 · as Julie Lowndes
• How to Marry a Millionaire1953 · as Loco Dempsey
• The Farmer Takes a Wife1953 · as Molly Larkins
• Meet Me After the Show1951 · as Delilah Lee
• Call Me Mister1951 · as Kay Hudson
• My Blue Heaven1950 · as Kitty Moran
• The Costume Designer1950 · as Self (archive footage)
• Wabash Avenue1950 · as Ruby Summers
• The Beautiful Blonde from Bashful Bend1949 · as Freddie
• When My Baby Smiles at Me1948 · as Bonny Kane
• That Lady in Ermine1948 · as Francesca / Angelina
• Mother Wore Tights1947 · as Mother
• The Shocking Miss Pilgrim1947 · as Cynthia Pilgrim
• Do You Love Me1946 · as Barry's Fan in Taxi
• The Dolly Sisters1945 · as Yansci 'Jenny' Dolly
• The All-Star Bond Rally1945 · as Pat Lambert (archive footage)
• Diamond Horseshoe1945 · as Bonnie Collins
• Take It or Leave It1944 · as (archive footage) (uncredited)
• Pin Up Girl1944 · as Lorry Jones
• Four Jills in a Jeep1944 · as Betty Grable
• Wing and a Prayer1944 · as (archive footage)
• Sweet Rosie O'Grady1943 · as Madeleine Marlowe/Rosie O'Grady
• Coney Island1943 · as Kate Farley
• Springtime in the Rockies1942 · as Vicky Lane
• Footlight Serenade1942 · as Pat Lambert
• Song of the Islands1942 · as Eileen O'Brien
• Hedda Hopper's Hollywood No. 21941
• I Wake Up Screaming1941 · as Jill Lynn
• A Yank in the R.A.F.1941 · as Carol Brown
• Moon Over Miami1941 · as Kathryn 'Kay' Latimer, also called Miss Adams
• Tin Pan Alley1940 · as Lily Blane
• Down Argentine Way1940 · as Glenda Crawford
• The Day the Bookies Wept1939 · as Ina Firpo
• Million Dollar Legs1939 · as Carol Parker
• Man About Town1939 · as Susan Hayes
• Campus Confessions1938 · as Joyce Gilmore
• Give Me a Sailor1938 · as Nancy Larkin
• College Swing1938 · as Betty
• Thrill of a Lifetime1937 · as Gwen
• This Way Please1937 · as Jane Morrow
• Pigskin Parade1936 · as Laura Watson
• Don't Turn 'em Loose1936 · as Mildred Webster
• Follow the Fleet1936 · as Singer in Trio
• Collegiate1936 · as Dorothy
• Sunkist Stars at Palm Springs1936
• A Quiet Fourth1935
• Old Man Rhythm1935 · as Sylvia
• Drawing Rumors1935
• A Night at the Biltmore Bowl1935 · as Vocalist
• The Nitwits1935 · as Mary Roberts
• The Spirit of 19761935
• This Band Age1935 · as Betty - Band Singer
• Ferry-Go-Round1934 · as Betty
• By Your Leave1934 · as Frances
• The Gay Divorcee1934 · as Guest
• Student Tour1934 · as Cayenne
• Susie's Affairs1934 · as Susie Lee
• Business Is a Pleasure1934
• Love Detectives1934 · as Alice
• Elmer Steps Out1934
• School for Romance1934 · as Student
• Air Tonic1933 · as Betty Grable - Band Singer
• The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi1933 · as Band Singer with Ted Fio Rito
• What Price Innocence?1933 · as Beverly Bennett
• Melody Cruise1933 · as First Stewardess (uncredited)
• Child of Manhattan1933 · as Lucy McGonagle
• Cavalcade1933 · as Girl on Couch
• Cavalcade1933 · as Blonde Girl on Couch (uncredited)
• The Kid from Spain1932 · as Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)
• Over the Counter1932 · as Customer Who Wants to Buy a Baby (uncredited)
• Hold 'Em Jail1932 · as Barbara Jones
• The Age of Consent1932 · as Student at Dormitory (uncredited)
• Hollywood Lights1932 · as Betty
• The Flirty Sleepwalker1932 · as Blonde Girl
• Probation1932 · as Ruth Jarrett
• Hollywood Luck1932
• Lady! Please!1932 · as Undetermined Minor Role (unconfirmed)
• The Greeks Had a Word for Them1932 · as Hat Check Girl (uncredited)
• Once a Hero1931
• Palmy Days1931 · as Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)
• Ex-Sweeties1931 · as Undetermined Minor Role
• Crashing Hollywood1931 · as Betty
• Kiki1931 · as Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)
• Whoopee!1930 · as Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)
• New Movietone Follies of 19301930 · as Chorine
• Let's Go Places1930 · as Chorine (uncredited)
• Happy Days1929 · as Chorus Woman

All TV Shows (8)

• The Carol Burnett Show1967 · as Self - Guest
• The Hollywood Palace1964 · as Self - Presenter
• The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson1962 · as Self
• The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour1957 · as Betty Grable
• The Dinah Shore Chevy Show1956 · as Self
• The Oscars1953 · as Self
• What's My Line?1950 · as Self - Mystery Guest
• The Ed Sullivan Show1948 · as Self