Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe was an American actress, model, and singer who became one of the most famous and enduring cultural icons of the twentieth century. Her films, her image, and her personal life have been the subject of intense public interest.

Early Life

Monroe was born Norma Jeane Mortenson in 1926 in Los Angeles. She spent much of her childhood in foster homes and in an orphanage.

She married James Dougherty at the age of sixteen. She worked in a factory during the Second World War and was photographed by an army photographer.

She began a career as a model and was signed by a film studio. She changed her name to Marilyn Monroe.

The Film Career

Monroe appeared in a series of small roles before achieving stardom. The film Niagara and the musical Gentlemen Prefer Blondes made her a star.

She became one of the most popular actresses of the 1950s. Her films include How to Marry a Millionaire, The Seven Year Itch, and Some Like It Hot.

She was celebrated for her beauty and for her comic timing. She was also a serious student of acting and studied with Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio.

The Image and the Public

Monroe's image combined glamour with vulnerability. She was marketed as a sex symbol and was often cast in similar roles.

She rebelled against the studio system and formed her own production company. She fought for better roles and for higher pay.

Her personal life was the subject of intense media attention. She was married to Joe DiMaggio and to Arthur Miller, and she was linked to President John F. Kennedy.

Death and Its Aftermath

Monroe died in 1962 at her home in Los Angeles from an overdose of barbiturates. The death was ruled a probable suicide.

The circumstances of her death have been the subject of many conspiracy theories. The involvement of the Kennedy brothers has been alleged but never established.

Her funeral was arranged by Joe DiMaggio and was attended by a small number of friends. She was buried in the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery.

Legacy

Monroe is regarded as one of the greatest cultural icons of the twentieth century. Her image has been reproduced and reinterpreted in art, in fashion, and in advertising.

Her films are regarded as classics of the Hollywood studio era. Andy Warhol's prints of her image are among the most famous works of pop art.

She is remembered for her talent and for her tragic life. Her name has become synonymous with the golden age of Hollywood.

The Studio System

Monroe was under contract to Twentieth Century Fox and was loaned to other studios. She was subject to the control of the studio and of its executives.

She rebelled against the typecasting and the low pay. She formed her own production company, Marilyn Monroe Productions, with Milton Greene.

The company produced the film Bus Stop and The Prince and the Showgirl. The move was a challenge to the studio system.

The Acting Studies

Monroe studied at the Actors Studio with Lee Strasberg. She was serious about her craft and sought to improve her technique.

She was admired by her fellow actors, including Laurence Olivier and Montgomery Clift. She was described as a natural and as a hard worker.

The training influenced her later performances, including those in Bus Stop and The Misfits. The latter was written by her husband Arthur Miller.

The Personal Life

Monroe was married three times, to James Dougherty, to Joe DiMaggio, and to Arthur Miller. The marriages were the subject of much publicity.

She had a difficult childhood and suffered from anxiety and from depression. She was in and out of psychiatric care.

She was linked to President John F. Kennedy and to his brother Robert. The relationships have been the subject of much speculation.

The Death and the Legend

Monroe's death in 1962 was ruled a probable suicide. The circumstances have been the subject of many investigations.

The conspiracy theories about her death have persisted. The involvement of the Kennedy family has been alleged but never proven.

The legend of Monroe has grown over the years. She is regarded as one of the most iconic figures of the twentieth century.

The Legacy

Monroe's films are regarded as classics of the studio era. Some Like It Hot is often cited as one of the greatest comedies ever made.

Her image has been reproduced in art and in advertising. The prints of Andy Warhol are among the most famous works of pop art.

Her life has been the subject of many books and films. She is remembered for her talent and for her tragic death.

The Modelling Career

Monroe began her career as a model and appeared on the covers of magazines. She was photographed by the leading photographers of the period.

The photographs established her image and brought her to the attention of the studios. She signed a contract with Twentieth Century Fox.

She continued to model throughout her career and appeared in advertisements. The photographs are among the most famous of the period.

The Awards and Honours

Monroe received a Golden Globe Award for her performance in Some Like It Hot. She was nominated for the BAFTA for her role in The Prince and the Showgirl.

She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She was voted the most popular actress of the year.

The American Film Institute named her one of the greatest female stars of the classical Hollywood cinema. Her films are preserved in the national registry.

The Cultural References

Monroe has been the subject of many songs, books, and films. The song Candle in the Wind by Elton John is a tribute to her.

The plays and the musicals about her life have been performed throughout the world. The film Blonde is based on the novel by Joyce Carol Oates.

Her image appears on stamps and on coins. The posthumous fame has made her an enduring cultural icon.

See also

• Hollywood
• Pop art