Lauren Bacall
“The smoky voice and the Look, a debut so assured it became Hollywood legend overnight.”
At just 19, the former model made her film debut opposite Humphrey Bogart in 'To Have and Have Not' (1944), where her chin-down, eyes-up gaze became known as 'The Look.' The role launched her stardom and an off-screen romance that led to one of Hollywood's legendary marriages.
Model to Movie Star
Born in the Bronx, Bacall worked as a model before director Howard Hawks spotted her on a magazine cover. He cast the teenager opposite Humphrey Bogart, and her smoky voice and assured presence made her an instant sensation.
Bogie and Bacall
Her on-screen chemistry with Bogart spilled into real life; they married in 1945 and made four films together. Their partnership became one of Hollywood's most enduring legends until Bogart's death in 1957.
Stage Triumphs
Beyond film, Bacall built a celebrated Broadway career, winning Tony Awards for 'Applause' and 'Woman of the Year.' Decades later she earned an Oscar nomination and an honorary Academy Award for her life's work.
Career Timeline
- 1924Born Betty Joan Perske in the Bronx
- 1943Spotted on a magazine cover by director Howard Hawks
- 1944Film debut with Bogart in 'To Have and Have Not'
- 1945Marries Humphrey Bogart
- 1946Reteams with Bogart in 'The Big Sleep'
- 1948Stars in 'Key Largo' with Bogart
- 1953Comedy hit 'How to Marry a Millionaire'
- 1957Bogart dies of cancer
- 1970Wins Tony Award for Broadway's 'Applause'
- 1981Second Tony Award for 'Woman of the Year'
- 1997Oscar nomination for 'The Mirror Has Two Faces'
- 2014Dies in New York City, age 89
Biggest Hits
- Her trademark 'Look' began as a way to steady her nerves; she pressed her chin to her chest to stop shaking, then raised only her eyes to the camera.
- She added an extra 'L' to her mother's Romanian surname Bacal to create the stage name Bacall.
The Moment You Remember
In her very first film, Lauren Bacall pauses in a doorway, lowers her chin, raises her eyes, and tells Bogart that if he wants her, all he has to do is whistle. The poise of that moment, from an actress barely out of her teens, became instant legend.
Portrait: Unknown (studio press photo) · Public Domain · via Wikimedia Commons