Betty Grable
Known for: Acting
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
Series
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
Self
1962
Series
What's My Line?
Self - Mystery Guest
1950
Series
The Carol Burnett Show
Self - Guest
1967
Series
The Oscars
Self
1953
Series
The Ed Sullivan Show
Self
1948
Series
The Dinah Shore Chevy Show
Self
1956
Series
The Hollywood Palace
Self - Presenter
1964
Series
The Lucy–Desi Comedy Hour
Betty Grable
1957
Film
How to Marry a Millionaire
Loco Dempsey
1953
Film
The Gay Divorcee
Guest
1934
Film
Cavalcade
Girl on Couch
1933
Film
Cavalcade
Blonde Girl on Couch (uncredited)
1933
Film
Love Detectives
Alice
1934
Hollywood Luck
1932
Bob Hope's World of Comedy
Self (archive footage)
1976
Film
The Fabulous Allan Carr
Self (archive)
2017
Film
I Wake Up Screaming
Jill Lynn
1941
Film
Collegiate
Dorothy
1935
Film
Follow the Fleet
Singer in Trio
1936
Film
Becoming Marilyn
(archive footage)
2022
Film
The Costume Designer
Self (archive footage)
1950
Film
The Beautiful Blonde from Bashful Bend
Freddie
1949
Film
Sweet Rosie O'Grady
Madeleine Marlowe/Rosie O'Grady
1943
Film
Palmy Days
Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)
1931
Film
My Blue Heaven
Kitty Moran
1950
Film
Wing and a Prayer
(archive footage)
1944
Film
Showbiz Goes to War
(archive footage)
1982
Film
College Swing
Betty
1938
Film
The Casting Couch
1995
Film
Three for the Show
Julie Lowndes
1955
Film
Kiki
Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)
1931
Film
Give Me a Sailor
Nancy Larkin
1938
Film
The Shocking Miss Pilgrim
Cynthia Pilgrim
1947
Film
Happy Days
Chorus Woman
1929
Film
Hollywood Singing and Dancing: A Musical History - The 1940s: Stars, Stripes and Singing
(archive footage)
2009
Film
Marilyn at the Movies
Self (archive footage)
2011
Film
Song of the Islands
Eileen O'Brien
1942
Film
Coney Island
Kate Farley
1943
Film
Pin Up Girl
Lorry Jones
1944
Film
This Is Bob Hope...
Self (archive footage)
2017
Film
Sunkist Stars at Palm Springs
1936
Film
Mother Wore Tights
Mother
1947
Film
Child of Manhattan
Lucy McGonagle
1933
Film
That Lady in Ermine
Francesca / Angelina
1948
Film
Down Argentine Way
Glenda Crawford
1940
Film
Marilyn
archive footage
1963
Film
Wabash Avenue
Ruby Summers
1950
Film
How to Be Very, Very Popular
Stormy Tornado
1955
Film
Springtime in the Rockies
Vicky Lane
1942
Film
The Nitwits
Mary Roberts
1935
Film
The Greeks Had a Word for Them
Hat Check Girl (uncredited)
1932
Film
Hidden Hollywood II: More Treasures from the 20th Century Fox Vaults
(archive footage)
1999
Film
Take It or Leave It
(archive footage) (uncredited)
1944
Film
Tin Pan Alley
Lily Blane
1940
Film
By Your Leave
Frances
1934
Film
Whoopee!
Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)
1930
Film
Hidden Hollywood: Treasures from the 20th Century Fox Film Vaults
Self (archiveFootage)
1997
Once a Hero
1931
Film
What Price Innocence?
Beverly Bennett
1933
Film
A Yank in the R.A.F.
Carol Brown
1941
Film
The Kid from Spain
Goldwyn Girl (uncredited)
1932
Marilyn Monroe: In The Movies
2012
Film
Susie's Affairs
Susie Lee
1934
Film
Footlight Serenade
Pat Lambert
1942
A Quiet Fourth
1935
This Band Age
Betty - Band Singer
1935
Film
School for Romance
Student
1934
Film
Pigskin Parade
Laura Watson
1936
Film
Student Tour
Cayenne
1934
Film
Hold 'Em Jail
Barbara Jones
1932
Film
Probation
Ruth Jarrett
1932
Film
Melody Cruise
First Stewardess (uncredited)
1933
Film
Moon Over Miami
Kathryn 'Kay' Latimer, also called Miss Adams
1941
Film
Elmer Steps Out
1934
Film
Old Man Rhythm
Sylvia
1935
Film
Do You Love Me
Barry's Fan in Taxi
1946
Film
Hedda Hopper's Hollywood No. 2
1941
Film
Hollywood Blue
(archive footage)
1970
Film
Four Jills in a Jeep
Betty Grable
1944
Film
When My Baby Smiles at Me
Bonny Kane
1948
Film
Call Me Mister
Kay Hudson
1951
Film
Jackie Coogan: The First Child Star
Self (archive footage)
2015
Film
Meet Me After the Show
Delilah Lee
1951
Film
The Dolly Sisters
Jenny Dolly
1945
Film
The Farmer Takes a Wife
Molly Larkins
1953
Film
Man About Town
Susan Hayes
1939
Film
The Sweetheart of Sigma Chi
Band Singer with Ted Fio Rito
1933
Drawing Rumors
1935
Film
Diamond Horseshoe
Bonnie Collins
1945
Film
This Way Please
Jane Morrow
1937
Film
Campus Confessions
Joyce Gilmore
1938
Film
A Night at the Biltmore Bowl
Vocalist
1935
Film
The Day the Bookies Wept
Ina Firpo
1939
Film
The Age of Consent
Student at Dormitory (uncredited)
1932
Some of Manie's Friends
1959
Crashing Hollywood
Betty
1931
Film
Let's Go Places
Chorine (uncredited)
1930
Film
Million Dollar Legs
Carol Parker
1939
Film
The All-Star Bond Rally
Pat Lambert (archive footage)
1945
Ferry-Go-Round
Betty
1934
Ex-Sweeties
Undetermined Minor Role
1931
The Spirit of 1976
1935
Film
Don't Turn 'em Loose
Mildred Webster
1936
Film
Over the Counter
Customer Who Wants to Buy a Baby (uncredited)
1932
Film
Thrill of a Lifetime
Gwen
1937
Lady! Please!
Undetermined Minor Role (unconfirmed)
1932
The Flirty Sleepwalker
Blonde Girl
1932
Film
Hollywood Lights
Betty
1932
Film
Air Tonic
Betty Grable - Band Singer
1933
Film
New Movietone Follies of 1930
Chorine
1930
Business Is a Pleasure
1934