Lauren Bacall (born Betty Joan Perske on September 16, 1924) is an American film and stage actress. Known for her husky voice and sultry looks, she has become a fashion icon and role model for modern-day women. Today, Lauren Bacall is considered a legendary actress, partly due to the longevity of her career.
Lauren Bacall is best known for being a film noir leading lady in films such as The Big Sleep (1946) and Dark Passage (1947), as well as a sassy comedienne, as seen in 1953's How to Marry a Millionaire. In the 1970s, she made a name for herself as a Broadway musical star thanks to her two major vehicles, Applause and Woman of the Year.