Elizabeth Ruth Grable was born on December 18, 1916 in St. Louis, Missouri, to Lillian Rose , 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.
Ex-husband Harry James died on what would have been their 40th anniversary.
In the late 1940s, 20th Century Fox insured her legs with Lloyds of London for a quarter million dollars.
In 1946-1947, the Treasury Department noted that she was the highest paid woman in America, receiving $300,000 a year.
Following her death, she was interred at Inglewood Park Cemetery in Inglewood, California.
Was one of the 20 original The Goldwyn Girls , among whom were Lucille Ball , Virginia Bruce , Ann Dvorak and Paulette Goddard.
Niece of actor Vinton Hayworth.
Voted Best Figure of 1941.
Suffered from "demophobia" (fear of crowds) and was a somnambulist (sleepwalker).
She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6525 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1960.
Did Playtex 18-hour Shortie commercials in the 1960s using her famous pin-up pose -- purportedly because she needed the money after her husband had spent her savings.
Singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka s song "Betty Grable" was totally dedicated to her memory.
Portrayed by Jayne Mansfield in the biography The George Raft Story . However, at the time she was not public domain so the characters name was changed to Lisa.
She and Harry James had two daughters: Victoria Elizabeth James (born March 3, 1944) and Jessica James (born May 20, 1947).
In How to Marry a Millionaire , her character makes a pointed reference to Harry James while listening to the radio at the lodge (Grable was married to him at the time). The song playing on the radio is "Youll Never Know", from Hello Frisco, Hello , and was sung in the film by Alice Faye. It won the Academy Award as Best Song in 1943 (Source: AMPAS).
In Italy, her films were often dubbed by Rosetta Calavetta and Dhia Cristiani. She was occasionally dubbed by Lydia Simoneschi and Clelia Bernacchi.
Her stepson, Tim James, was an attorney working with the then Attorney General of Texas and became responsible for enticing television personality Marvin Zindler of Houston to investigate the famous Chicken Ranch brothel in La Grange, Texas - eventually closing it down. The story became the basis of the Broadway and movie musical The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas .
Inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame in 1990 and the Hall of Famous Missourians in 2009.
She was a lifelong Republican and conservative.
Bettys famous pin-up pose (in bathing suit, back to the camera, smiling over her right shoulder) was taken that way because she was pregnant and it showed. They felt that showing her from the front would not be in good taste.
She appeared with former Fox co-star Dick Haymes as presenters at the 1972 Oscar ceremony.
When Shelley Winters bowed out of Pickup on South Street , a pregnant Grable turned down the offer of starring in the film noir, and the role went to Jean Peters.
Samuel Goldwyn considered her seriously for Guys and Dolls , but when her dog broke its leg, Grable canceled an appointment with him. A miffed Goldwyn then gave the original Adelaide, former Fox co-worker Vivian Blaine , the role.
Made her film debut at age 13 in a Fox quickie, "Lets Go Places" in 1930. She lied about her age, stating she was 15.
While attending Hollywood Professional School, she developed a musical act with friend Emlyn Pique, who later took the name Mitzi Mayfair.
Very early in her career, she sang with the Ted Fiorito Band. According to Grable: "The only trouble was I couldnt sing.".
At one point during the 1940s, Grable reportedly earned $300,000 a year, making her one of the worlds highest paid women. Her films earned over $15 million for 20th Century Fox.
She was offered the Anne Baxter role in The Razors Edge but turned it down. Baxter ultimately won an Oscar as Sophie MacDonald.
Had appeared with John Payne in five films: College Swing , Tin Pan Alley , Footlight Serenade , Springtime in the Rockies and The Dolly Sisters .
Died five days before Veronica Lake.
There are two reasons why I am successful in show business and I am,standing on both of them.
The practice of putting women on pedestals began to die out when it was,discovered that they could give orders better from there.
My legs made me.
[on her November 19, 1937 marriage] I want to be Mrs. Jackie Coogan for,life. [They divorced three months later],Grable played the only two straight roles of her career in 1941, "A Yank,in the R. A. F. " and "I Wake Up Screaming".
People write to me as if I were a sister or friend. .
.jpg)
_01.jpg)
_03.jpg)
