Betty Grable
Acting • Born 1916-12-18 – Died 1973-07-02
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.
Filmography
105 credits
How to Marry a Millionaire
Movie • 1953
Loco Dempsey
I Wake Up Screaming
Movie • 1941
Jill Lynn
Hollywood Lights
Movie • 1932
Betty
Follow the Fleet
Movie • 1936
Singer in Trio
The Gay Divorcee
Movie • 1934
Guest
The Greeks Had a Word for Them
Movie • 1932
Hat Check Girl (uncredited)
Pin Up Girl
Movie • 1944
Lorry Jones
Footlight Serenade
Movie • 1942
Pat Lambert
Springtime in the Rockies
Movie • 1942
Vicky Lane
Moon Over Miami
Movie • 1941
Kathryn 'Kay' Latimer, also called Miss Adams
Down Argentine Way
Movie • 1940
Glenda Crawford
A Yank in the R.A.F.
Movie • 1941
Carol Brown
Coney Island
Movie • 1943
Kate Farley
Showbiz Goes to War
Movie • 1982
(archive footage)
That Lady in Ermine
Movie • 1948
Francesca / Angelina
Pigskin Parade
Movie • 1936
Laura Watson
The Beautiful Blonde from Bashful Bend
Movie • 1949
Freddie
Cavalcade
Movie • 1933
Girl on Couch
My Blue Heaven
Movie • 1950
Kitty Moran
Hollywood Blue
Movie • 1970
(archive footage)
This Way Please
Movie • 1937
Jane Morrow
Child of Manhattan
Movie • 1933
Lucy McGonagle
The Nitwits
Movie • 1935
Mary Roberts
Mother Wore Tights
Movie • 1947
Mother
The Dolly Sisters
Movie • 1945
Yansci 'Jenny' Dolly
Do You Love Me
Movie • 1946
Barry's Fan in Taxi
Diamond Horseshoe
Movie • 1945
Bonnie Collins
Wabash Avenue
Movie • 1950
Ruby Summers
The Shocking Miss Pilgrim
Movie • 1947
Cynthia Pilgrim
How to Be Very, Very Popular
Movie • 1955
Stormy Tornado
The Farmer Takes a Wife
Movie • 1953
Molly Larkins
College Swing
Movie • 1938
Betty
Give Me a Sailor
Movie • 1938
Nancy Larkin
When My Baby Smiles at Me
Movie • 1948
Bonny Kane
A Quiet Fourth
Movie • 1935
Probation
Movie • 1932
Ruth Jarrett
Don't Turn 'em Loose
Movie • 1936
Mildred Webster
By Your Leave
Movie • 1934
Frances
The Day the Bookies Wept
Movie • 1939
Ina Firpo
Thrill of a Lifetime
Movie • 1937
Gwen
Student Tour
Movie • 1934
Cayenne
Meet Me After the Show
Movie • 1951
Delilah Lee
Man About Town
Movie • 1939
Susan Hayes
Some of Manie's Friends
Movie • 1959
Old Man Rhythm
Movie • 1935
Sylvia
Song of the Islands
Movie • 1942
Eileen O'Brien
The Kid from Spain
Movie • 1932
Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)
Love Detectives
Movie • 1934
Alice
Three for the Show
Movie • 1955
Julie Lowndes
Four Jills in a Jeep
Movie • 1944
Betty Grable
What Price Innocence?
Movie • 1933
Beverly Bennett
Call Me Mister
Movie • 1951
Kay Hudson
Sweet Rosie O'Grady
Movie • 1943
Madeleine Marlowe/Rosie O'Grady
Cavalcade
Movie • 1933
Blonde Girl on Couch (uncredited)
Hold 'Em Jail
Movie • 1932
Barbara Jones
Whoopee!
Movie • 1930
Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)
Million Dollar Legs
Movie • 1939
Carol Parker
Campus Confessions
Movie • 1938
Joyce Gilmore
Tin Pan Alley
Movie • 1940
Lily Blane
Hidden Hollywood: Treasures from the 20th Century Fox Film Vaults
Movie • 1997
Self (archiveFootage)
Hidden Hollywood II: More Treasures from the 20th Century Fox Vaults
Movie • 1999
(archive footage)
Kiki
Movie • 1931
Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)
Palmy Days
Movie • 1931
Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)
Over the Counter
Movie • 1932
Customer Who Wants to Buy a Baby (uncredited)
Susie's Affairs
Movie • 1934
Susie Lee
A Night at the Biltmore Bowl
Movie • 1935
Vocalist
The All-Star Bond Rally
Movie • 1945
Pat Lambert (archive footage)
Collegiate
Movie • 1936
Dorothy
This Is Bob Hope...
Movie • 2017
Self (archive footage)
School for Romance
Movie • 1934
Student
The Age of Consent
Movie • 1932
Student at Dormitory (uncredited)
Melody Cruise
Movie • 1933
First Stewardess (uncredited)
New Movietone Follies of 1930
Movie • 1930
Chorine
The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi
Movie • 1933
Band Singer with Ted Fio Rito
Elmer Steps Out
Movie • 1934
The Costume Designer
Movie • 1950
Self (archive footage)
Wing and a Prayer
Movie • 1944
(archive footage)
Take It or Leave It
Movie • 1944
(archive footage) (uncredited)
Hedda Hopper's Hollywood No. 2
Movie • 1941
Sunkist Stars at Palm Springs
Movie • 1936
Crashing Hollywood
Movie • 1931
Betty
Ferry-Go-Round
Movie • 1934
Betty
Ex-Sweeties
Movie • 1931
Undetermined Minor Role
Lady! Please!
Movie • 1932
Undetermined Minor Role (unconfirmed)
This Band Age
Movie • 1935
Betty - Band Singer
Air Tonic
Movie • 1933
Betty Grable - Band Singer
The Flirty Sleepwalker
Movie • 1932
Blonde Girl
Drawing Rumors
Movie • 1935
Hollywood Luck
Movie • 1932
Business Is a Pleasure
Movie • 1934
Once a Hero
Movie • 1931
The Spirit of 1976
Movie • 1935
Jackie Coogan: The First Child Star
Movie • 2015
Self (archive footage)
Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1940s: Stars, Stripes and Singing
Movie • 2009
(archive footage)
Let's Go Places
Movie • 1930
Chorine (uncredited)
Happy Days
Movie • 1929
Chorus Woman
Becoming Marilyn
Movie • 2022
The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour
TV • 1957
Betty Grable
The Ed Sullivan Show
TV • 1948
Self
The Hollywood Palace
TV • 1964
Self - Presenter
The Dinah Shore Chevy Show
TV • 1956
Self
The Oscars
TV • 1953
Self
The Carol Burnett Show
TV • 1967
Self - Guest
What's My Line?
TV • 1950
Self - Mystery Guest
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
TV • 1962
Self