Betty Grable was born Elizabeth Ruth Grable on December 18, 1916, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Lillian Rose Hofmann and John Conn Grable, a stockbroker, with German, English, Irish, and Dutch ancestry. Her mother, a stubborn and materialistic woman, was determined to make her daughter a star. Betty was enrolled in Clark's Dancing School at the age of three, studying ballet and tap dancing under her mother's guidance.
Betty and her mother set out for California with the hope of stardom, attending the Hollywood Professional school. However, Lillian lied about her daughter's age, and Betty, who was actually 13 years old, landed several minor parts as a chorus girl in early musicals, initially billed as 'Frances Dean'. In 1932, she signed with RKO Radio Pictures and began using the moniker 'Betty Grable'.
Betty continued to land bit parts for the next three years before finally landing a substantial role in By Your Leave in 1934. One of her big roles was in College Swing in 1938, but unfortunately, the public did not take notice. The following year, she married former child star Jackie Coogan, and they briefly toured on vaudeville, which boosted her career. However, they divorced in 1940.
Betty's big break came when she landed the role of Glenda Crawford in Down Argentine Way in 1940, and the public finally took notice of this shining star. She went on to star in comedies such as Coney Island and Sweet Rosie O'Grady in 1943. The public was enchanted with Betty, and her famous pin-up pose during World War II adorned barracks all around the world.
As the star of lavish musicals, Betty became the highest-paid star in Hollywood, earning about $300,000 a year - a phenomenal sum even by today's standards. In 1947, the United States Treasury Department noted that she was the highest-paid star in America. Later, 20th Century-Fox insured her legs with Lloyds of London for a million dollars.
Betty continued to be popular until the mid-1950s, when musicals went into a decline. Her last film was How to Be Very, Very Popular in 1955. She then concentrated on Broadway and nightclubs. In 1965, she divorced band leader Harry James, whom she had wed in 1943.
Betty Grable died at the age of 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. Throughout her life, Betty remained devoted to her family and avoided the scandals that plagued many stars.
