Lauren Bacall, born Betty Joan Perske on September 16, 1924, in New York City, wasn’t just a star—she was a force of nature. With her striking looks, smoky voice, and unmistakable presence, Bacall lit up the silver screen during Hollywood’s golden age. She became an instant icon in her very first film, To Have and Have Not (1944), where she famously told Humphrey Bogart’s character, “You know how to whistle, don’t you, Steve? You just put your lips together and blow.” That line didn’t just launch her career—it sparked one of Hollywood’s most enduring love stories.

Her on-screen magic wasn’t a fluke. Over a career that spanned more than 70 years, Bacall delivered powerful performances in classics like The Big Sleep (1946) and Key Largo (1948), often alongside Bogart, her real-life partner and cinematic equal. Together, they were the definition of old-school Hollywood glamour, their chemistry as timeless as the films they starred in.

Lauren Bacall’s life came to a close on August 12, 2014, when she passed away at age 89 after suffering a stroke. She died at her home in The Dakota, the iconic building near Central Park on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Though she’s gone, her legacy—as an actress, a style icon, and a woman who truly defined an era—lives on.