Lauren Bacall

Born Betty Joan Perske on September 16, 1924, in the Bronx, Lauren Bacall was the daughter of William and Natalie Perske. She studied acting at the New York School of the Theater and ballet under Mikhail Mordkin. Financial constraints forced her to leave the American Academy of Dramatic Arts after her first year. She turned to modeling before building a film career spanning more than 40 pictures. Her first marriage, to Humphrey Bogart, produced two children: Stephen H. Bogart and Leslie Bogart. With her second husband, Jason Robards, she had a son, Sam Robards.

Film credits include "To Have and Have Not," "The Big Sleep," "Key Largo," "How to Marry a Millionaire," "The Shootist," "Murder on the Orient Express," "Misery," "The Mirror Has Two Faces," "Dogville," "Birth," and "Manderlay." On television she appeared in "The Colgate Comedy Hour," "The Ed Sullivan Show," "I've Got a Secret," "Dr. Kildare," "The Rockford Files," "Great Performances," "Screen One," "The Sopranos," and "The Daily Show."

Her 1980 memoir "Lauren Bacall: By Myself" won the National Book Award. She received a star on the Walk of Fame in 1960 and an Honorary Award at the 2010 Academy Awards, recognizing her central place in the Golden Age of motion pictures.

Early in her career she worked as an usher at Broadway houses and as a hostess at the Stage Door Canteen. On August 15, 2014, Broadway theater marquees were dimmed in her honor.