Lauren Bacall (born Betty Joan Perske; September 16, 1924) is an American film and stage (theater) actress and model (Model (person)), known for her husky voice and sultry looks.

She first emerged as leading lady in the film noir genre, including appearances in The Big Sleep (The Big Sleep (1946 film)) (1946) and Dark Passage (Dark Passage (film)) (1947), as well as a comedienne in How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) and Designing Woman (1957). Bacall has also worked in the Broadway musical, gaining Tony Awards for Applause (Applause (musical)) in 1970 and Woman of the Year in 1981. Her performance in the movie The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996) earned her a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination.

In 1999, Bacall was ranked as one of the 25 actresses on the AFIs 100 Years... 100 Stars list by the American Film Institute. In 2009, she was selected by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to receive an Academy Honorary Award at the inaugural Governors Awards.