The 10 Most Famous Pinup Girls

I received a request from Sarah over at Sexy Costume Discounters who asked if I would post a copy of her very first attempt at blogging ... of course I said, "Yes." We can always learn something new. So here is her take on:

The 10 Most Famous Pin-Up Girls

Betty Grable – Betty Grable was undeniably the most famous andpopular pin-up girl, and her bikini pictures graced many camps during WWII. Grable had a contract to act for 20th Century Fox, appearing in such pictures as The Gay Divorcee and Coney Island, though she is just as well known for her stunning photos as she is for her acting career.

Betty Page – Second only to Grable, Betty Page was one of the most influential women in history. Her photos featuring fetishism and bondage, shocking at the time, opened up the doors to an early sexual revolution. She became one of the first Playmates of the Month for Playboy, and still today her trademark black hair and short, blunt bangs remain an inspiration to empowered women everywhere.

Veronica Lake – Veronica Lake was both a pin-up model and actress that gained notoriety for her femme fatale roles and her iconic blonde “peekaboo” style hair. Her big breakwas a film called I Wanted Wings, and she appeared in many more feature films, many times alongside star Alan Ladd. Later in her life she struggled with alcoholism and mentalillness.

Gina Lollobrigida – Recognized as one of the most influential pin-ups for the WWII era, Gina Lollobrigida was a very popular Italian actress and sex symbol. She appeared in many films throughouther career including Come September with Rock Hudson, Hotel Paradiso with Alec Guinness, and Beat the Devil, which was her first American film and the one that garnered her thenickname “The World's Most Beautiful Woman”.

Jayne Mansfield – Jayne Mansfield was known as one of the original “blonde bombshells” of the 1950's, and her appearances in Playboy made her a bona fide sex symbol. Her cleavage-revealing costumes madeher a film favorite, even earning her a Golden Globe in 1957.Tragically, she died in a brutal car accident in 1967.

Rita Hayworth – Noted regularly as one of the greatest stars of all time, Rita Hayworth gained popularity for her career and sex symbol status. Her role in Blood and Sand marked her status, and she became one of the most-requested pin-upgirls during WWII. She is best known for her role in musicals such as You'll Never Get Rich and Cover Girl, andeventually left her film career in 1948 to marry Prince Aly Khan, leader of a sect of Shia Islam.

Hedy Lamarr – Another popular WWII pin-up girl was Hedy Lamarr, a major MGM actress and all around beautiful girl. While acting inAustria and Germany, she was dubbed “the most beautiful girl inEurope” by Max Reinhardt. Once in the United States, she starred in such MGM gems as White Cargo, Samson and Delilah, and Ziegfeld Girls with Judy Garland and Lana Turner.

Brigitte Bardot – Consistently ranked as one of the sexiest film stars of all time, French actress Brigitte Bardot starred in many iconic films throughout the 1960's. Her voluminous blonde hair, heavily rimmed eyes, and starring role in films like And God Created Woman and Contempt made her a sex symbol and icon of the '60's.

Sophia Loren - Sophia Loren is considered to the most popular Italian actress of her era. Loren grew from a gangly, awkward child to an international sex symbol. She is also a highly accomplished actress, and was the first actress to ever win a Best Actress Award for a foreign film (Two Women).

Marilyn Monroe – It's no question that Marilyn Monroe was the most iconic blonde in Hollywood. Her legendary roles in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, The Seven Year Itch, and Some Like it Hot made her a certifiable star and pin-up queen. She was the cover girl on the very first issue of Playboy, a feat that has catapulted her into permanent bombshell status.