Betty Grable

Betty Grable was the quintessential American pin-up girl during World War II, her iconic swimsuit photo gracing the lockers and hearts of countless servicemen. Her dazzling smile, shapely legs (insured for a million dollars, naturally), and wholesome appeal made her one of the highest-paid stars of her era. She sang, she danced, she acted – often in Technicolor musicals that brightened the silver screen and lifted spirits during wartime.

Despite her undeniable star power and the common misconception, Grable was not Jewish. Born Elizabeth Ruth Grable in St. Louis, Missouri, her background was primarily Dutch, Irish, and English, tracing back to Protestant roots. The persistent rumors about her Jewish heritage seem to have been just that: rumors, perhaps fueled by her Hollywood prominence or simply the general confusion of the era.

While her contribution to morale during the war was immense and her legacy as a Hollywood icon secure, her connection to the tribe remains purely apocryphal. She was a national treasure, a symbol of beauty and resilience, but genetically or culturally, she wasn't bringing much nachas to the Jewish people.