Marilyn Monroe

More than a star-a legend

Marilyn Monroe

is an American actress and model. Known for playing comic “blonde bombshell” characters,  She was a top-billed actress for a decade, and her films grossed $200 million (equivalent to $2 billion in 2024) by her death in 1962.

Born in Los Angeles, Monroe spent most of her childhood in foster homes and an orphanage before marrying James Dougherty at the age of 16. She was working in a factory during World War II when she met a photographer from the First Motion Picture Unit and began a successful pin-up modeling career, which led to short-lived film contracts with 20th Century Fox and Columbia Pictures. After roles as a freelancer, she began a longer contract with Fox in 1951, becoming a popular actress with roles in several comedies, including As Young as You Feel and Monkey Business, and in the dramas Clash by Night and Don’t Bother to Knock. Monroe faced a scandal when it was revealed that she had posed for nude photographs prior to fame, but the story resulted in increased interest in her films.

Born: June 1, 1926, Los Angeles, California, United States

Died: August 4, 1962 (age 36 years), Brentwood, Los Angeles, California, United States

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  • The Charm of ‘How to Marry a Millionaire’: Marilyn’s Elegant Side

    The Charm of ‘How to Marry a Millionaire’: Marilyn’s Elegant Side

    “How to Marry a Millionaire” (1953) is a delightful romantic comedy that shows Marilyn Monroe in a more elegant and subtle light.Alongside Lauren Bacall and Betty Grable, she plays one of three women who set out to marry rich men—but end up learning that love matters more than money. Marilyn’s character, Pola Debevoise, is a…

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  • Modeling, divorce, and first film roles

    Modeling, divorce, and first film roles

    The studio also enrolled her in the Actors’ Laboratory Theatre, an acting school teaching the techniques of the Group Theatre; she later stated that it was “my first taste of what real acting in a real drama could be, and I was hooked”. Despite her enthusiasm, her teachers thought her too shy and insecure to have a future…

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