![Image of Betty Grable](https://image.tmdb.org/t/p/w342/oQwgN9Qx3w4S6u6rQFbl5TtUTsL.jpg)
Elizabeth Ruth Grable was born on December 18, 1916 in St. Louis, Missouri. Her mother Lillian was a stubborn and materialistic woman who was determined to make her daughter a star. Elizabeth, who later became Betty, was enrolled in Clark's Dancing School at the age of three. With her mother's guidance, Betty studied ballet and tap dancing. At age 13, Betty and her mother set out for Hollywood with the hopes of stardom. Lillian lied about her daughter's age, and Ruth landed several minor parts in films in 1930, such as Whoopee! (1930), New Movietone Follies of 1930 (1930), Happy Days (1929) and Let's Go Places (1930). In 1932, she signed with RKO Radio Pictures. The bit parts continued for the next three years. Betty finally landed a substantial part in By Your Leave (1934). One of her big roles was in College Swing (1938). Unfortunately, the public did not seem to take notice. She was beginning to think she was a failure. The next year, she married former child star Jackie Coogan. His success boosted hers, but they divorced in 1940. When she landed the role of Glenda Crawford in Down Argentine Way (1940), the public finally took notice of this shining bright star. Stardom came through comedies such as Coney Island (1943) and Sweet Rosie O'Grady (1943). The public was enchanted with Betty. 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. After the war, her star continued to rise. In 1947, the United States Treasury Department noted that she was the highest paid star in America, earning about $300,000 a year - a phenomenal sum even by today's standards. Later, 20th Century-Fox, who had her under contract, insured her legs with Lloyds of London 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 (1955). She then concentrated on Broadway and nightclubs. In 1965, she divorced band leader Harry James, whom she had wed in 1943. Betty Grable died at age 56 of lung cancer on July 2, 1973 in Santa Monica, California. Her life was an active one, devoid of the scandals that plagued many stars in one way or another. In reality, she cared for her family and the family life more than stardom. In that way, she was a true star. Date of Death 2 July 1973, Santa Monica, California (lung cancer) Interred at Inglewood Park Cemetery, Inglewood, California
Movie | This Is Bob Hope... | Self (archive footage) | 2017-12-29 |
Movie | Hollywood My Home Town | Self (archive footage) | 1965-12-31 |
Movie | Three for the Show | Julie Lowndes | 1955-02-24 |
Movie | How To Be Very, Very Popular | Stormy Tornado | 1955-07-22 |
Movie | The Farmer Takes a Wife | Molly Larkins | 1953-06-12 |
Movie | Call Me Mister | Kay Hudson | 1951-02-01 |
Movie | Meet Me After the Show | Delilah Lee | 1951-08-15 |
Movie | Wabash Avenue | Ruby Summers | 1950-03-31 |
Movie | My Blue Heaven | Kitty Moran | 1950-09-15 |
Movie | The Costume Designer | Self (archive footage) | 1950-07-13 |
Movie | The Beautiful Blonde from Bashful Bend | Freddie | 1949-05-27 |
Series | The Ed Sullivan Show | Unknown | 1948-06-20 |
Movie | That Lady in Ermine | Francesca / Angelina | 1948-08-24 |
Movie | When My Baby Smiles at Me | Bonny Kane | 1948-11-10 |
Movie | The Shocking Miss Pilgrim | Cynthia Pilgrim | 1947-01-04 |
Movie | Mother Wore Tights | Mother | 1947-08-20 |
Movie | Do You Love Me | Barry's Fan in Taxi (uncredited) | 1946-05-17 |
Movie | The Dolly Sisters | Yansci 'Jenny' Dolly | 1945-11-14 |
Movie | Diamond Horseshoe | Bonnie Collins | 1945-05-02 |
Movie | The All-Star Bond Rally | Pat Lambert (archive footage) | 1945-05-10 |
Movie | Four Jills in a Jeep | Betty Grable | 1944-03-17 |
Movie | Pin Up Girl | Lorry Jones | 1944-04-25 |
Movie | Sweet Rosie O'Grady | Madeleine Marlowe/Rosie O'Grady | 1943-10-01 |
Movie | Coney Island | Kate Farley | 1943-06-18 |
Movie | Song of the Islands | Eileen O'Brien | 1942-03-13 |
Movie | Footlight Serenade | Pat Lambert | 1942-08-01 |
Movie | Springtime in the Rockies | Vicky Lane | 1942-11-06 |
Movie | Moon Over Miami | Kathryn 'Kay' Latimer, also called Miss Adams | 1941-07-04 |
Movie | A Yank in the R.A.F. | Carol Brown | 1941-09-26 |
Movie | I Wake Up Screaming | Jill Lynn | 1941-10-31 |
Movie | Hedda Hopper's Hollywood No. 2 | 1941-12-05 | |
Movie | Down Argentine Way | Glenda Crawford | 1940-10-11 |
Movie | Tin Pan Alley | Lily Blane | 1940-11-29 |
Movie | Man About Town | Susan Hayes | 1939-06-29 |
Movie | The Day the Bookies Wept | Ina Firpo | 1939-09-13 |
Movie | Million Dollar Legs | Carol Parker | 1939-07-13 |
Movie | Give Me a Sailor | Nancy Larkin | 1938-08-19 |
Movie | College Swing | Betty | 1938-04-29 |
Movie | Campus Confessions | Joyce Gilmore | 1938-09-23 |
Movie | This Way Please | Jane Morrow | 1937-10-15 |
Movie | Thrill of a Lifetime | Gwen | 1937-12-03 |
Movie | Follow the Fleet | Singer in Trio | 1936-02-20 |
Movie | Sunkist Stars at Palm Springs | 1936-08-05 | |
Movie | Pigskin Parade | Laura Watson | 1936-10-23 |
Movie | Don't Turn 'em Loose | Mildred Webster | 1936-09-18 |
Movie | The Nitwits | Mary Roberts | 1935-06-07 |
Movie | Old Man Rhythm | Sylvia | 1935-08-02 |
Movie | A Quiet Fourth | 1935-08-08 | |
Movie | Student Tour | Cayenne | 1934-10-05 |
Movie | Love Detectives | Alice | 1934-02-28 |
Movie | The Gay Divorcee | Guest | 1934-10-12 |
Movie | By Your Leave | Frances | 1934-11-09 |
Movie | Cavalcade | Blonde Girl on Couch (uncredited) | 1933-02-08 |
Movie | Child of Manhattan | Lucy McGonagle | 1933-02-11 |
Movie | Melody Cruise | First Stewardess (uncredited) | 1933-06-22 |
Movie | The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi | Band Singer with Ted Fio Rito | 1933-10-25 |
Movie | What Price Innocence? | Beverly Bennett | 1933-06-24 |
Movie | Probation | Ruth Jarrett | 1932-03-15 |
Movie | The Greeks Had a Word for Them | Hat Check Girl (uncredited) | 1932-02-03 |
Movie | The Age of Consent | Student at Dormitory (uncredited) | 1932-08-19 |
Movie | Over the Counter | Customer Who Wants to Buy a Baby (uncredited) | 1932-10-15 |
Movie | The Kid from Spain | Goldwyn Girl (uncredited) | 1932-11-17 |
Movie | Hold 'Em Jail | Barbara Jones | 1932-08-19 |
Movie | Kiki | Goldwyn Girl (uncredited) | 1931-03-14 |
Movie | Palmy Days | Goldwyn Girl (uncredited) | 1931-09-23 |
Movie | New Movietone Follies of 1930 | 1930-05-04 | |
Movie | Whoopee! | Goldwyn Girl (uncredited) | 1930-09-26 |
Movie | Happy Days | Chorus Woman | 1929-09-16 |
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