Betty Grable

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 Hollywood with the hopes of stardom.

Lillian lied about her daughter's age, and Betty (real age 13), landed several minor parts in films in 1930, such as Whoopee! (1930), New Movietone Follies of 1930 (1930), Happy Days (1929) and Let's Go Places (1930).

In 1932 (real age 15), she signed with RKO Radio Pictures. The bit parts continued for the next three years.

Betty finally landed a substantial part in By Your Leave (1934).

In 1935 Betty Grable had a pet white cat named "Whitey" who could go limp in her arms and "play dead". RKO Radio shot some publicity photos of her with Whitey.

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.

His success boosted hers, but they divorced in 1940.

When she landed the role of Glenda Crawford in Down Argentine Way (1940), the public finally took notice of this shining bright star.

Stardom came in such comedies as Coney Island (1943) and Sweet Rosie O'Grady (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.

She and Harry James had two daughters: Victoria Elizabeth James (born March 3, 1944) and Jessica James (born May 20, 1947 - March 20, 2016).

In 1946-1947, the Treasury Department noted that she was the highest paid woman in America, receiving $300,000 a year.

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.

In How to Marry a Millionaire (1953), 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 "You'll Never Know", from Hello Frisco, Hello (1943), and was sung in the film by Alice Faye. It won the Academy Award as Best Song in 1943 (Source: AMPAS).

Her last film was How to Be Very, Very Popular (1955). She then concentrated on Broadway and nightclubs.

She was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6525 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1960.

Portrayed by Jayne Mansfield in the biography The George Raft Story (1961). However, at the time she was not public domain so the character's name was changed to Lisa.

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.

She appeared with former Fox co-star Dick Haymes as presenters at the 1972 Oscar ceremony.

Betty and her 20th Century Fox rival, Alice Faye, were good friends, until Betty's death from cancer on July 2, 1973.

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 (1982).

Inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame in 1990 and the Hall of Famous Missourians in 2009.