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.
Acted in 83
2020s
- 2022
Becoming Marilyn
(archive footage)
2000s
- 2009
Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1940s: Stars, Stripes and Singing
(archive footage)
1990s
- 1999
Hidden Hollywood II: More Treasures from the 20th Century Fox Vaults
(archive footage)
- 1995
The Casting Couch
Movie
1980s
- 1982
Showbiz Goes to War
(archive footage)
1970s
- 1970
Hollywood Blue
(archive footage)
1960s
- 1963
Marilyn
archive footage
1950s
- 1959
Some of Manie's Friends
Movie
- 1957
The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour
Betty Grable · 1 episode
- 1955
How to Be Very, Very Popular
Stormy Tornado
Three for the Show
Julie Lowndes
- 1953
The Farmer Takes a Wife
Molly Larkins
- 1951
Meet Me After the Show
Delilah Lee
Call Me Mister
Kay Hudson
- 1950
My Blue Heaven
Kitty Moran
Wabash Avenue
Ruby Summers
1940s
- 1949
The Beautiful Blonde from Bashful Bend
Freddie
- 1948
When My Baby Smiles at Me
Bonny Kane
That Lady in Ermine
Francesca / Angelina
- 1947
Mother Wore Tights
Mother
The Shocking Miss Pilgrim
Cynthia Pilgrim
- 1946
Do You Love Me
Barry's Fan in Taxi
- 1945
The Dolly Sisters
Jenny Dolly
The All-Star Bond Rally
Pat Lambert (archive footage)
Diamond Horseshoe
Bonnie Collins
- 1944
Take It or Leave It
(archive footage) (uncredited)
Pin Up Girl
Lorry Jones
Four Jills in a Jeep
Betty Grable
Wing and a Prayer
(archive footage)
- 1943
Sweet Rosie O'Grady
Madeleine Marlowe/Rosie O'Grady
Coney Island
Kate Farley
- 1942
Springtime in the Rockies
Vicky Lane
Footlight Serenade
Pat Lambert
Song of the Islands
Eileen O'Brien
- 1941
Hedda Hopper's Hollywood No. 2
Movie
I Wake Up Screaming
Jill Lynn
A Yank in the R.A.F.
Carol Brown
Moon Over Miami
Kathryn 'Kay' Latimer, also called Miss Adams
- 1940
Tin Pan Alley
Lily Blane
Down Argentine Way
Glenda Crawford
1930s
- 1939
The Day the Bookies Wept
Ina Firpo
Million Dollar Legs
Carol Parker
Man About Town
Susan Hayes
- 1938
Campus Confessions
Joyce Gilmore
Give Me a Sailor
Nancy Larkin
College Swing
Betty
- 1937
Thrill of a Lifetime
Gwen
This Way Please
Jane Morrow
- 1936
Don't Turn 'em Loose
Mildred Webster
Follow the Fleet
Singer in Trio
Sunkist Stars at Palm Springs
Movie
- 1935
Collegiate
Dorothy
Old Man Rhythm
Sylvia
A Night at the Biltmore Bowl
Vocalist
The Nitwits
Mary Roberts
- 1934
By Your Leave
Frances
The Gay Divorcee
Guest
Student Tour
Cayenne
Susie's Affairs
Susie Lee
Love Detectives
Alice
Elmer Steps Out
Movie
School for Romance
Student
- 1933
Air Tonic
Betty Grable - Band Singer
The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi
Band Singer with Ted Fio Rito
What Price Innocence?
Beverly Bennett
Melody Cruise
First Stewardess (uncredited)
Child of Manhattan
Lucy McGonagle
- 1932
The Kid from Spain
Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)
Over the Counter
Customer Who Wants to Buy a Baby (uncredited)
Hold 'Em Jail
Barbara Jones
The Age of Consent
Student at Dormitory (uncredited)
Hollywood Lights
Betty
Probation
Ruth Jarrett
The Greeks Had a Word for Them
Hat Check Girl (uncredited)
- 1931
Kiki
Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)
- 1930
Whoopee!
Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)
New Movietone Follies of 1930
Chorine
Let's Go Places
Chorine (uncredited)
1920s
- 1929
Happy Days
Chorus Woman
Appearances13
2010s
- 2017
This Is Bob Hope...
Self (archive footage)
- 2015
Jackie Coogan: The First Child Star
Self (archive footage)
- 2011
Marilyn at the Movies
Self (archive footage)
1990s
- 1997
Hidden Hollywood: Treasures from the 20th Century Fox Film Vaults
Self (archiveFootage)
1960s
- 1967
- 1964
- 1962
1950s
- 1956
- 1953
- 1950
The Costume Designer
Self (archive footage)
1940s
- 1948
