Betty Grable

Betty Grable December 18 1916 July 2 1973 was an American actress pinup girl dancer model and singer Grable was enrolled in Clarks 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 Lets 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 OGrady Her famous pinup pose during World War II adorned barracks all around the world With that pinup and as the star of lavish musicals Betty became the highestpaid star in Hollywood in 1947 Later her studio 20th CenturyFox insured her legs for a million dollars Betty continued to be popular until the mid1950s 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 19371939 and musician Harry James 19431965 Betty Grable died at age 56 of lung cancer on July 2 1973