1 of 7
Betty Grable, "Million Dollar Legs"
One of the most popular pinup girls was Betty Grable, an American actress most celebrated for having the most beautiful legs in Hollywood back in the 40s, particularly during the second World War. Her most iconic pinup photo, the one where she appeared in a bathing suit, was included in Life magazine's 100 Photos that Changed the World list. The quick silver blonde's legs was in fact, insured for $1,000,000, thus the moniker.
*Image from www.vintagemoviefan.freehomebase.com
Bettie Page, "The Queen of Pinups"
Bettie Page pretty much owned the 50s, trendsetting her jet black hair, blue eyes, and trademark bangs and went on to become a trademark that over the top celebrities are emulating to this day. She was also the first famous bondage model, posing for mail-order photographs with fetish and sadomasochistic themes. Bettie's life proved to be particularly interesting, having retired from the industry early to convert to evangelical Christianity.
*Image from www.globalgoodgroup.com
Esther Williams, "Bathing Beauty"
Esther is best known for donning swimsuits in most of her movies, since she was a champion swimmer with the Los Angeles Athletic Club swim team before arriving in Hollywood. Her elaborate sets, beautiful swimwear costumes, and grand synchronized swim productions became a regular staple in most of her films. Obviously, she's also a popular pinup girl back in the 40s and 50s.
*Image from www.listal.com
Marilyn Monroe, "Dumb Blonde"
Marilyn is arguably the most prominent pinup model in history, with her works of art easily penetrating several generations of admirers. Before becoming a major sex symbol in the 50s and early 60s, Monroe shot a series of famous pinup shots that helped her break through Hollywood. Her dumb blonde persona was used to comic effect in subsequent films throughout her career.
*Image from www.infobarrel.com
Farrah Fawcett, "Charlie's Angel"
Those who grew up in the 70s know that there were only two women who were on every pubescent boy's mind - Farrah Fawcett and Cheryl Tiegs. Fawcett, in particular, was the cream of the crop. This iconic pinup poster, shot right around the time Farrah started doing Charlie's Angels, ended up being a pinnacle to all modern day pinup posters.
*Image from www.examiner.com
Pamela Anderson, "Tool Time Girl"
Yes of course, Pamela Anderson, the ultimate pinup girl of the 90s, probably right up there with Cindy Crawford and Anna Nicole Smith. Having spent two seasons as a tool time girl in the sitcom House Improvement, Pamela gained worldwide fame for playing CJ in the long-lived series Baywatch. The world was never the same after that.
*Image from Baywatch
Dita Von Teese, "The Queen of Burlesque"
Props is due to American burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese for bringing the pinup girl culture back on the map. She is known for her fascination with 1940s cinema, due to the fact that her mother was a fan of Golden-era Hollywood films. Her screen name is in fact based on silent film actress Dita Parlo. Here's what's crazy: her 22-inch waistline! Pang-pinup talaga!
*Image from FHM Russia
