Born December 10, 1914

New Orleans, Louisiana

Died September 22, 1996

Los Angeles, California

Film actress

Dorothy Lamour was a famous Hollywood actress known as "the bond bombshell" because of her volunteer work selling U.S. war bonds during World War II (1939–45). The sale of war bonds became a patriotic way for those on the home front to contribute to the national defense and war effort. It was a unique combination of patriotism and consumerism that sold $185.7 billion in securities (bonds). Over the course of the war, Lamour sold some $300 million of the bonds around the country. Other members of Hollywood's entertainment community used their celebrity status to help sell war bonds, but Lamour was credited with being the first star to offer her services to do so.

The first U.S. Savings Bond was sold to President Franklin D. Roosevelt...