Betty Grable
- born
- December 18, 1916, St. Louis, Missouri
- died
- July 2, 1973
- field
- Actress, pin-up girl, dancer, model, singer
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Top pin-up girl of World War II; highest-salaried American woman in 1946 and 1947; 10 consecutive years among Quigley Poll's top 10 box office stars
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Grable began her film career in 1929 at age 12 and was later fired from a contract for having signed with a false identification. In 1943, she was the number-one box-office draw in the world. Grable retired from screen acting in 1955 after she withdrew from her Fox contract, but she continued to perform on the stage and on television.
Reader's Guide
Betty Grable's significance lies in her status as a defining sex symbol and box-office powerhouse of the 1940s. The U.S. Treasury Department listed her as the highest-salaried American woman in 1946 and 1947, and she earned more than $3 million during her career. Her legs, with measurements noted by hosiery specialists (thigh 18.5 in, calf 12 in, ankle 7.5 in), were insured by her studio for $1 million as a publicity stunt. Grable's legacy endures as a symbol of wartime glamour and a trailblazer for female stars in Hollywood.
Did You Know?
- Grable's legs were insured by her studio for $1 million as a publicity stunt.
- She was the highest-salaried American woman in 1946 and 1947, according to the U.S. Treasury Department.
- Her bathing-suit poster was included in Life magazine's '100 Photographs That Changed the World'.
- She placed among the Quigley Poll's top 10 box office stars for 10 consecutive years (1942–1951).
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Betty Grable?
Betty Grable was an American actress, dancer, singer, and model born in St. Louis, Missouri, on December 18, 1916. She rose to become one of Hollywood's biggest stars during the 1940s and early 1950s, appearing in 42 feature films.
What made Betty Grable famous during World War II?
She became the era's most iconic pin-up girl, with her photographs displayed in barracks and lockers across the country. Her image was so widely recognized among service members that she was often referred to as America's sweetheart.
How successful was Betty Grable at the box office?
Her 42 films collectively grossed more than $100 million, making her one of the most bankable actresses of her time. She also held a position in the Quigley Poll's top 10 box office stars for ten consecutive years.
What salary milestone did Betty Grable reach?
In both 1946 and 1947, she held the title of the highest-salaried woman in America. This reflected both her enormous box-office draw and her status as a dominant cultural icon of the postwar era.
When and where did Betty Grable die?
She passed away on July 2, 1973, at the age of 56. Her death marked the end of a career that had defined glamour and stardom for an entire generation of moviegoers.
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