Betty Grable

Betty Grable

actress, soundtrack

Betty Grable was born on Dec 18, 1916 in USA. Betty Grable's big-screen debut came with Happy Days directed by Benjamin Stoloff in 1929. Betty Grable is known for The Shape of Water directed by Guillermo del Toro, Sally Hawkins stars as Elisa Esposito and Michael Shannon as Richard Strickland. Betty Grable has got 4 awards and 2 nominations so far. The most recent award Betty Grable achieved is Walk of Fame. The upcoming new movie Betty Grable plays is The Shape of Water which will be released on Dec 22, 2017.

Elizabeth Ruth Grable was born on December 18, 1916 in St. Louis, Missouri, to Lillian Rose (Hofmann) and John Charles Grable, a stockbroker. She had German, English, Irish, and Dutch ancestry. Her mother was a stubborn and materialistic woman 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.Betty and her mother set out for California with the hopes of stardom. She attended the Hollywood Professional school but Lillian lied about her daughter's age and Betty (real age 13), landed several minor parts as a chorus girl in early musicals (Whoopee! (1930), New Movietone Follies of 1930 (1930), Happy Days (1929) and Let's Go Places (1930)), initially billed as 'Frances Dean'. In 1932 (real age 15), she signed with RKO Radio Pictures and began to use the moniker 'Betty Grable'. 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.The following year, she married former child star Jackie Coogan. They briefly toured on vaudeville and his success boosted hers, but they divorced in 1940. When she landed the role of Glenda Crawford in Sous le ciel d'Argentine (1940), the public finally took notice of this shining bright star. Stardom came in such comedies as L'île aux plaisirs (1943) and Rosie l'endiablée (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. She 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. Her life was an active one, devoid of the scandals that plagued many stars in one way or another. She cared more for her family than stardom.Betty Grable died at age 56 of lung cancer on July 2, 1973 in Santa Monica, California, five days before Veronica Lake's death. She was interred at Inglewood Park Cemetery.

  • Birthday

    Dec 18, 1916
  • Place of Birth

    St. Louis, Missouri, USA

Known For

Awards

4 wins & 2 nominations

Walk of Fame
1960
Motion Picture
Winner - Star on the Walk of Fame
Photoplay Awards
1951
Best Performances of the Month (April)
Winner - Photoplay Award
1950
Best Performances of the Month (July)
Winner - Photoplay Award
1941
Best Performances of the Month (December)
Winner - Photoplay Award

Movies & TV Shows

All
Movies
TV Shows