Lauren Bacall's Life in Photos
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11924: Born in New York
Lauren Bacall was born Betty Joan Perske in the Bronx, New York in 1924. She was the only child of Jewish immigrant parents—her mother was a secretary, while her father was a salesman.
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21930: A Broken Home
Her parents divorced when little Lauren was six years old. Afterward, she didn't see much of her father.
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31933: Becoming Bacall
Her mother started going by her maiden name, Bacal, after her divorce—which Lauren later drew from for her stage name. The actress would end up adding an extra "L," so that the name wouldn't be pronounced like "crackle."
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41940: A Teen in New York City
Living in NYC provided the aspiring actress with plenty of exposure to the industry. As a teenager, she attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, starred in a number of off-broadway productions, and served as an usherette at the St. James Theater.
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51942: A Modeling Career
Bacal supported herself and her classes at the American Academy by working as a magazine model and was even crowned Miss Greenwich Village in 1942.
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61943: Her Shot at Fame
Her modeling career landed her a cover of Harper's BAZAAR. It was this cover photo that led to a then-18-year-old Bacal being scouted by the wife of Hollywood producer, Howard Hawks.
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71944: The Birth of Her Voice
After being scouted by Hawks, the aspiring actress officially changed her name and ventured to Los Angeles for a screen test. Hawks, who eventually became her mentor, instructed Bacal to lower the pitch of her voice. The result? A sultry draw that became her signature.
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81944: Her First Film
Hawks signed Bacall to a seven year contract and cast her as the lead in his new film To Have and Have Not. The film was a huge success and, as a result, Bacall began to be marketed as the next big movie star by Warner Brothers.
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91944: Sparks on Set
Humphrey Bogart, who was 45 at the time, was cast opposite of Bacall in her first film. According to Bacall, the chemistry between them was immediate—even though Bogart was married.
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101945: A Hollywood Romance
Throughout filming, Bogart and Bacall embarked on a passionate love affair. By the film's release in January 1945, they were officially a couple and Bogart divorced his wife shortly after. Here, Bacall blows on a whistle charm Bogart gifted her to commemorate her famous line in the film, "You know how to whistle don't you, Steve?"
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111945: A Huge Age Gap
One of the most iconic May-December romances of all time, there was a whopping 25-year age difference between Bogart and Bacall.
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121945: Getting Married
The couple got married on May 21, 1945 on author Louis Bromfield's farm in Lucas, Ohio. The bride wore a tan belted suit set with a black blouse underneath.
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131944: Bacall at Home
Bacall relaxes in her New York apartment, reading the newspaper alongside her cocker spaniel.
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141946: Another Movie Together
The newly married couple worked together for Bacall's second feature role in 1946's The Big Sleep.
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151946: On Set
The couple became known for their collaborations together, also appearing in Dark Passage and Key Largo together.
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161949: A Baby Boy
Bacall and Bogart welcomed their first child in 1949, a son named Stephen Bogart.
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171949: Her Signature Look
Bacall was considered one of the most beautiful women during the Golden Age of Hollywood. Along with her low sultry voice, she made "The Look," a.k.a. her chin to chest and eyes up stare, infamous.
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181950: A Big Role
Her role in the 1950 film Bright Leaf was a turning point in the actress's career, as it was the first time she appeared on-screen without her costar husband. Instead, her love interest in the film was actor, Gary Cooper.
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191953: Back to Work
Bacall took a brief hiatus after releasing Bright Leaf. The actress returned to the big screen in 1953 when she teamed up with Marilyn Monroe and Betty Grable for the box office hit, How to Marry a Millionaire.
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201954: A Second Child
Bacall and Bogart welcomed their second child in 1952. Their daughter, Leslie Howard Bogart, was named after famed British actor Leslie Howard, who was a dear friend of Bogart's.
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