Who Is Betty Grable? Age, Biography, and Wiki
As of 2025, Betty Grable would have been 108 years old. Although she passed away on July 2, 1973, her legacy continues to resonate in the world of entertainment and pop culture. Grable is best remembered for her roles in musical films, where her charm and talent captivated audiences.
Her Wikipedia page provides a comprehensive overview of her life, detailing her rise to fame during the war years, her groundbreaking role as a pin-up girl, and her successful film career, which included hits like How to Marry a Millionaire and Coney Island.
| Occupation | Republicans |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | December 18, 1916 |
| Age | 56 Years |
| Birth Place | St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Sagittarius |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 2 July, 1973 |
| Died Place | Santa Monica, California, U.S. |
Popularity
Betty Grable's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Betty Grable was renowned for her stunning figure, which played a significant role in her popularity as a pin-up icon. She stood at approximately 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm) tall and weighed around 135 pounds (61 kg) during her peak. Her body measurements were often cited as 36-24-36, making her a quintessential figure of beauty in the 1940s and 1950s.
Throughout her career, Grable was a celebrated sex symbol. Her bathing-suit poster made her the top pin-up girl of World War II, surpassing Rita Hayworth. The photo was later included in the Life magazine project "100 Photographs That Changed the World".
Hosiery specialists of the era often noted the ideal proportions of Grable's legs and thighs (18.5 in), calf (12 in) and ankle (7.5 in). Her legs were insured by her studio for $1 million as a publicity stunt. Describing her film career, Grable said: "I became a star for two reasons, and I'm standing on them."
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Grable had a tumultuous romantic life. She was married to bandleader Harry James from 1939 until their divorce in 1944, and they had two daughters, Victoria and Jessica. After her marriage to James, she had a notable relationship with actor and producer Jackie Coogan, but they never married. Grable later wed actor and producer, George S. Howard in 1953, a union that lasted until her death. While there have been various rumors about her past relationships, Grable's most significant connections were with her family and close friends.
She replaced Alice Faye in Down Argentine Way (1940), her first major Hollywood film, and became Fox's biggest film star throughout the next decade. Fox cast Grable in a succession of Technicolor musicals during the decade that were immensely popular, costarring with such leading men as Victor Mature, Don Ameche, John Payne and Tyrone Power.
In 1943, she was the number-one box-office draw in the world. Two of her greatest film successes were the musical Mother Wore Tights (1947) and the comedy How to Marry a Millionaire (1953), one of her later films.
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.
Net Worth and Salary
While Betty Grable's financial legacy may not be thoroughly documented, estimates suggest that her net worth at the peak of her career was in the millions. Adjusted for inflation, this would equate to a substantial fortune today. Grable earned a significant income through her acting roles and was one of the highest-paid actresses of her time. Her incredible popularity also allowed her to command high salaries for her film appearances, making her a lucrative asset in Hollywood.
Grable was cast in That Lady in Ermine (1948), a film project that had previously been considered for either Jeanette MacDonald or Gene Tierney. It co-starred Douglas Fairbanks Jr and originally was directed by Ernst Lubitsch. After Lubitsch's death early in production, Otto Preminger took over.
It was reported that Grable often quarreled with Fairbanks and Preminger and that she nearly walked out on filming, but decided against it on the advice of her agent. When the film was released, it received mixed reviews; it was referred to as "a bright and beguiling swatch of nonsense" and it did not generate the revenue Fox had hoped.
Grable immediately thereafter began filming When My Baby Smiles at Me (1948), co-starring Dan Dailey, which became a blockbuster, cementing Grable and Dailey's status as a bankable movie duo.
Closing the decade, Grable starred in The Beautiful Blonde from Bashful Bend (1949), an oddball movie that unevenly mixed musical numbers with Western clichés. Despite a casting consisting of Cesar Romero and Rudy Vallée, the film was panned by critics, but it was a reasonable success at the box office.
Career, Business, and Investments
Betty Grable's career spanned several decades, primarily focusing on musical comedies and films. She became a major box office draw during the 1940s and 1950s, solidifying her status as one of the leading actresses of her generation. Apart from acting, Grable also engaged in various business ventures, including endorsements and music recordings. Her talent extended beyond the silver screen; she was an accomplished singer and dancer, and she successfully navigated the ever-changing entertainment landscape.
Grable invested her earnings wisely, allowing her to maintain a comfortable lifestyle throughout her life and well into her legacy.
Her 42 films during the 1930s and 1940s grossed more than $100 million, and for 10 consecutive years (1942–1951) she placed among the Quigley Poll's top 10 box office stars (a feat only matched by Doris Day, Julia Roberts and Barbra Streisand, although all were surpassed by Mary Pickford, with 13 years). 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.
Social Network
Betty Grable lived in an era long before social media took over. However, her influence continues to be celebrated on various platforms that honor classic Hollywood and vintage cinema. Fans often share her memorable film scenes and photographs on platforms such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Her rapidly growing fan base appreciates her contributions to film and culture, ensuring that her legacy endures.
Grable had been placed in the "Top Ten Money Making Stars Poll" every year, beginning in 1942. She ranked at the top of the poll in 1943, and ranked second in 1947 and 1948. In 1949, although she still placed in the top 10, she slipped from second to seventh place in popularity. Fox became concerned that Grable might be becoming regarded as passé.
Darryl F. Zanuck had the film Wabash Avenue (1950) tailored to fit Grable's talents. The film's plot closely followed the story of Grable's earlier hit Coney Island (1943). Despite the similarities, it had new songs written and dances choreographed to modernize the film. Wabash Avenue was released in May 1950, and was a box-office hit.
My Blue Heaven, released in December 1950, re-teamed her with Dan Dailey, and was equally successful financially. In 1950, Grable had regained her status as the most-popular female at the box office; she ranked fourth overall, behind John Wayne, Bob Hope, and Bing Crosby.
Education
Betty Grable attended the Hollywood School for Girls, where she developed an early interest in the performing arts. Although she did not pursue higher education, her natural talent and dedication to the craft allowed her to succeed in the entertainment industry. She began performing at a young age, landing her first role in a film by the time she was 12, and she continued to refine her skills throughout her career.
In conclusion, while Betty Grable may have passed away over four decades ago, her influence and legacy as an actress and cultural icon are still celebrated today. As we look back at her life in 2025, we remember her contributions to film and her status as a beloved American figure.
In 1932, aged 15, Grable signed a contract with RKO Radio Pictures, and she was assigned to a succession of acting, singing and dancing classes at the studio's drama school. At age 14, her first film for the studio, Probation (1932), provided her first credited screen role.
Over the next few years, she was again relegated to uncredited minor roles in a series of films, many of which became worldwide successes, such as Cavalcade (1933). She received larger roles in The Gay Divorcee (1934) and Follow the Fleet (1936).
