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Marilyn Monroe personified Hollywood glamour
with an unparalleled glow and energy that enamored the world. Although
she was an alluring beauty with voluptuous curves and a generous pout,
Marilyn was more than a 50s sex goddess. Her apparent vulnerability
and innocence, in combination with an innate sensuality, has endeared
her to the global consciousness. She dominated the age of movie stars
to become, without question, the most famous woman of the 20th Century.
She was born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926 in Los Angeles,
California, to Gladys Baker. As the identity of her father is undetermined,
she was later baptized Norma Jeane Baker. Gladys had been a film-cutter
at RKO studios, but psychological problems prevented her from keeping
the job and she was eventually committed to a mental institution.
Norma Jeane spent most of her childhood in foster homes and orphanages
until 1937, when she moved in with family friend Grace McKee Goddard.
Unfortunately, when Grace's husband was transferred to the East Coast
in 1942 the couple couldn't afford to take 16-year-old Norma Jeane
with them. Norma Jeane had two options: return to the orphanage or
get married.
On June 19, 1942 she wed her 21-year-old neighbor Jimmy Dougherty,
whom she had been dating for six months. "She was a sweet, generous
and religious girl," Jimmy said. "She liked to be cuddled."
By all accounts Norma Jeane loved Jimmy, and they were happy together
until he joined the Merchant Marines and was sent to the South Pacific
in 1944.
After Jimmy left, Norma Jeane took a job on the assembly line at
the Radio Plane Munitions factory in Burbank, California. Several
months later, photographer David Conover saw her while taking pictures
of women contributing to the war effort for Yank magazine. He couldn't
believe his luck. She was a "photographer's dream." Conover
used her for the shoot and then began sending modeling jobs her way.
The camera loved Norma Jeane, and within two years she was a reputable
model with many popular magazine covers to her credit. She began studying
the work of legendary actresses Jean Harlow and Lana Turner, and enrolled
in drama classes with dreams of stardom. However, Jimmy's return in
1946 meant Norma Jeane had to make another choice- this time between
her marriage and her career.
Norma Jeane divorced Jimmy in June of 1946, and signed her first
studio contract with Twentieth Century Fox on August 26, 1946. She
earned $125 a week. Soon after, Norma Jeane dyed her hair blonde and
changed her name to Marilyn Monroe (a combination of her grandmother's
last name and actress Marilyn Miller's first name). The rest, as the
saying goes, is history.
Marilyn's first movie role was a bit part in 1947's The Shocking
Miss Pilgrim. She played a series of inconsequential characters until
1950, when John Huston's thriller The Asphalt Jungle provided her
with a small but influential role. Later that year, Marilyn's performance
as Claudia Caswell in All About Eve (starring Bette Davis) earned
her further praise. From then on Marilyn worked steadily in movies
such as: Let's Make It Legal, As Young As You Feel, Monkey Business
and Don't Bother to Knock. It was her performance in 1953's Niagara,
however, that delivered her to stardom. Marilyn played Rose Loomis,
a beautiful young wife who plots to kill her older, jealous husband
(Joseph Cotten).
Marilyn's success in Niagara was followed with lead roles in the
wildly popular Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (co-starring Jane Russell)
and How to Marry a Millionaire (co-starring Lauren Bacall and Betty
Grable). Photoplay magazine voted Marilyn the Best New Actress of
1953, and at 27 years old she was undeniably the best-loved blonde
bombshell in Hollywood.
On January 14, 1954, Marilyn married baseball superstar Joe DiMaggio
at San Francisco's City Hall. They had been a couple for two years,
after Joe asked his agent to arrange a dinner date. "I don't
know if I'm in love with him yet," Marilyn said when the press
got word of their relationship, "but I know I like him more than
any man I've ever met." During their Tokyo honeymoon, Marilyn
took time to perform for the service men stationed in Korea. Her presence
caused a near-riot among the troops, and Joe was clearly uncomfortable
with thousands of men ogling his new bride.
Unfortunately, Marilyn's fame and sexual image became a theme that
haunted their marriage. Nine months later on October 27, 1954, Marilyn
and Joe divorced. They attributed the split to a "conflict of
careers," and remained close friends.
Marilyn was ready to shed her "shallow blonde" image by
1955. It had gotten her into the spotlight, but now that she had the
opportunity and experience, Marilyn wanted to pursue serious acting.
She took a hiatus from Hollywood and moved to New York City to study
under Lee Strasberg at his Actors' Studio. In 1956, Marilyn started
her own motion picture company, Marilyn Monroe Productions. The company
produced Bus Stop and The Prince and the Showgirl (co-starring Sir
Laurence Olivier). These two films allowed her to demonstrate her
talent and versatility as an actress. Marilyn received further recognition
for 1959's Some Like It Hot, winning a Golden Globe for Best Actress
in a Comedy.
On June 29, 1956, Marilyn wed playwright Arthur Miller. The couple
met through Strasberg, and friends reported she made him "giddy."
While they were married, Arthur wrote the part of Roslyn Taber in
1961's The Misfits especially for Marilyn. The movie co-starred Clark
Gable and Montgomery Clift. Sadly, the marriage between Marilyn and
Arthur ended on January 20, 1961, and The Misfits was to be Marilyn's
(and Gable's) last completed film.
At the 1962 Golden Globes, Marilyn was named female World Film Favorite,
once again demonstrating her widespread appeal.
In a shocking turn of events, shortly before midnight on August 4,
1962, 36-year-old Marilyn died in her sleep at her Brentwood, California
home. The world was stunned. Marilyn's vibrant spirit and beauty made
it impossible to believe she was gone. On August 8, 1962, Marilyn's
body was laid to rest in the Corridor of Memories, #24, at Westwood
Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California.
During her career, Marilyn made 30 films and left one, Something's
Got to Give, unfinished. She was more than just a movie star or glamour
queen. A global sensation in her lifetime, Marilyn's popularity has
extended beyond star status to icon. Today, the name "Marilyn
Monroe" is synonymous with beauty, sensuality and effervescence.
She remains an inspiration to all who strive to overcome personal
obstacles for the goal of achieving greatness. Marilyn
Monroe Personal videos and photos - Click here!
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