Betty Grable : Ask Biography

in How to Marry a Millionaire (1953)

Personal information

Birth name

Elizabeth Ruth Grable

Birth date

December 18, 1916

Place of birth

St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.

Date of death

July 2, 1973(age 56)

Death place

Santa Monica, California, U.S.

Cause of death

Lung cancer

Other names

Frances Dean

Occupation

Actress, dancer, singer

Years active

1929 � 56

Spouse

-Jackie Coogan-1937-1939 (divorced)
-Harry James-1943-1965 (divorced) 2 children

Partner

Bob Remick

Home | American actors | Betty Grable

Elizabeth Ruth "Betty" Grable (December 18, 1916 � July 2, 1973) was an American actress, dancer and singer.

Her iconic bathing suit photo made her the number-one pin-up girl of the World War II era. It was later included in the LIFE magazine project "100 Photos that Changed the World". Grable was particularly noted for having the most beautiful legs in Hollywood and studio publicity widely dispersed photos featuring them. Hosiery specialists of the era often noted the ideal proportions of her legs as: thigh (18.5") calf (12"), and ankle (7.5").

Grable's legs were famously insured by her studio for $1,000,000 with Lloyds of London.