When asked in 1943 what a girl needs to be a movie star- "Intelligence, adaptability and talent. And by talent I mean the capacity for hard work. Lots of girls come here with little but good looks. Beauty is a valuable asset, but it is not the whole cheese."
This toe tapping talent got her start at 14 when she won her first dance contest. Her original plan of becoming a teacher was overshadowed by her new found love for dance and theater inspired by her mother. With the nick-name Ginger, given to her by her baby cousin, she was ready for Hollywood. Unfortunately she stepped on a few toes along the way. While acting like a British aristocrat in order to get the role as Queen Elizabeth she offended Katherine Hepburn. Katherine ended up pouring a glass of water over Ginger and her new mink stole. Thankfully her cheerful nature won over the hearts of many and in 1936 she was commissioned as the only woman admiral of the Texas Navy.
Not only did the Navy recognize her talent, Hollywood caught on as well. In 1945 she became Hollywood's highest paid star.
Ginger also receive several life time achievement awards. It must have been her good looks an maybe a little hard work.
