Dorothy Lamour: The Hollywood Star Who Cherished S&H Green Stamps

When most actresses dream of Oscars at the height of their careers, Dorothy Lamour had her own unique goal. According to her son Richard Howard, 68, she had a peculiar passion for collecting S&H Green Stamps. "She loved to collect those stamps and paste them into her books," Richard exclusively shared with Closer Weekly. This wasn't just a hobby; it was a way for Dorothy to connect with her community. "She'd take the filled books to the five-and-dime redemption center, grab a coffee, and chat with the locals," Richard fondly recalled. It’s a touching reminder that even the biggest stars can find joy in the simplest pleasures.

Though Dorothy Lamour achieved fame and fortune through her iconic performances in the Road to… films alongside Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, her heart never strayed far from her humble beginnings. "She was a true rags-to-riches success story," Richard said, reflecting on his mother's journey. Dorothy was born in a Louisiana charity ward and passed away in 1996 at the age of 81 from a heart attack. Her early life was marked by poverty—so much so that her own mother once used curtains off their windows to create a dress for her high school dance. "I’m pretty sure their financial struggles inspired her to get out of that environment," Richard explained. And she didn’t just survive; she thrived, becoming one of Hollywood's most beloved stars.

From Miss New Orleans to Hollywood Legend

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Dorothy’s rise to fame wasn’t instantaneous. In 1931, she was crowned Miss New Orleans, which set her on a path to bigger things. "I was Miss New Orleans of 1931! I then headed off to Chicago, determined to be a big band singer," she once reminisced. Her journey wasn’t without its twists and turns. She briefly worked as an elevator operator at Marshall Field department store before landing an audition with band leader Herbie Kay, who later became her first husband in 1935. The following year, they made their way to Hollywood. It was the sarong she wore in the 1936 film The Jungle Princess that became her signature look, earning her the nickname "the sarong girl." Despite wearing it in only six of her 60 films, the sarong became synonymous with her image. "Heck, it’s better than being known as the sweater girl," she joked. "I had my gimmick. Every gal has to have one to become a big attraction."

A Life of Love and Service

Her personal life was just as intriguing as her career. After her divorce from Herbie in 1939, Dorothy had a brief romance with J. Edgar Hoover before finding true love with Richard’s father, Air Force Capt. William “Bill” Howard. They tied the knot in 1943, and by then, Life Magazine had already named her the No. 1 Army pinup girl. Her contributions to the war effort earned her another nickname, "the Bond Bombshell," for selling an astonishing $300 million worth of bonds. "I collected $9 million in cash in the first six days and $31 million by the end of my first tour," she proudly remembered. Her dedication to her country was as strong as her passion for her craft.