When people think of Old Hollywood, one of the first images that pops into their head is the legendary starlet Marilyn Monroe. An A-list actress who came from tragic, humble beginnings, Monroe had an unstable home life and grew up in orphanages, leaving them to pursue her starlet dreams as soon as possible. She was discovered working in a factory for World War II and was soon cast in high-profile modeling gigs. Then Hollywood called her name as she set to star in classics like Some Like It Hot, The Seven-Year Itch, and Gentleman Prefer Blondes, to name a few.
From playing the “blonde bombshell” to defining an era of beauty, Marilyn Monroe seemed to be able to do anything she wanted. Sadly, the smiling face many adored on the silver screen was not the reality. Monroe had a hard life, battling extensive mental issues and lost love. It was well known that her mental state was fragile, but she was hailed as a beacon of strength for herself and her friends nonetheless. On Aug. 4, 1962, the world was heartbroken when Monroe was found dead in her bedroom at age 36 from suicide.
Ever since then, many have paid homage to the starlet through the art of their own. Most recently, Madonna paid homage to Monroe in a series of controversial photos.
To this day, many ask questions about her life and sudden death. But over 60 years after her untimely death, she remains one of the most celebrated actresses in history. Learn more about her turbulent life, career, and romances in the iconic photos below, in honor of what would’ve been her 99th birthday today.
A version of this article was originally published on Nov 2021.
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Image Credit: Everett Collection. -
Career Beginnings, 1947
Image Credit: Getty Images Marilyn Monroe’s stage name origin is a somewhat sweet tale. The head of new talent at Fox Studios, Ben Lyon, thought she looked like a Marilyn, and she requested to have the last name Monroe in honor of her grandmother.
And despite being a natural brunette, Monroe’s agency, Blue Book Modeling Agency, wanted her to bleach her hair to a lighter color.
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Marilyn Monroe Being Screen-Tested, 1947
Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection. Monroe was quite erratic with showing up for the set, so she would have her own screen-tests at random times.
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Ladies of the Chorus, 1949
In 1949, Marilyn Monroe was cast in her first leading role in the film, Ladies of the Chorus.
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The Asphalt Jungle, 1950
Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection Monroe worked tirelessly to earn her iconic role in the film noir, The Asphalt Jungle. Director John Huston said she was amazing at the audition. “Marilyn didn’t get the part because of Johnny [her agent]. She got it because she was damned good.”
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Humble Beginnings, 1950
Image Credit: Michael Ochs Archives Before she was discovered, Marilyn Monroe worked factory jobs to help supply forces for World War II.
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Miss. Monroe Posing For a Photoshoot, 1952
Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection. Marilyn Monroe had a strong desire to be taken more seriously as an actress, despite being cast in comedies.
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Monroe Talking To Her Acting Coach, 1952-53
Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection. Marilyn Monroe frequently consulted with acting coaches, but she had a soft spot for her first one, Natasha Lytess.
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Bookworm Marilyn, 1953
Image Credit: Everett Collection. Marilyn Monroe was very well-read and had over 400 volumes in her library.
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Marilyn, 1953
Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection Monroe frequently spoke in third person, saying things like, “She wouldn’t do this. Marilyn wouldn’t say that.”
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A-List Fashion Skills, 1953
Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection. Marilyn Monroe frequently attended A-list movie premieres and always wore lavish gowns.
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Standing Up For Herself On Set, 1953
Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection. For Gentleman Prefer Blondes, Monroe stole the show with her performances. However, she earned about $18,000, while her male co-stars earned upwards of $150,000. So she insisted on her own dressing room saying, “I am the blonde, and it is Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.”
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Lauren Bacall and Marilyn Monroe, 1953
Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection. Marilyn Monroe and Lauren Bacall starred alongside one another in the hit film, How to Marry a Millionaire. Old-Hollywood starlet Betty Grable starred with them as well.
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Marilyn On Her Way to Tokyo, 1954
Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection. Marilyn Monroe frequently traveled around the globe for her work.
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Marilyn Monroe on Stage in Front of Crowd of Troops
Image Credit: Bettmann Archive (Original Caption) Marilyn Monroe is shown in this photo entertaining military troops in Korea.
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Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio, 1954
Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio’s rollercoaster romance only lasted nine months. They got married spontaneously only a few months into their relationship and then got divorced over their long-term goals.
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Stork Club, 1954
Image Credit: AFP via Getty Images Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio frequented the Stork Club, just like Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.
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Marilyn Monroe and Ella Fitzgerald, 1954
Image Credit: Bettmann Archive Marilyn once said about her favorite singer. “Well, my very favorite person, and I love her as a person as well as a singer. I think she’s the greatest, and that’s Ella Fitzgerald.” They ended up being great friends, and Monroe used her A-list status to help with Fitzgerald’s career.
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Marilyn for Charity, 1955
Image Credit: ullstein bild via Getty Images Despite her lavish outfits and accessories, Marilyn wasn’t a fan of statement pieces. She would wear costume jewelry most of the time.
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The Seven Year Itch, 1955
Image Credit: Courtesy: Everett Collection. Monroe’s most iconic look was when she cheekily stepped onto a grate, having the wind blow up her dress. She shocked audiences with this performance in The Seven Year Itch and it has been considered a legendary scene to this day.
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A-Lister Marilyn Monroe, 1956
Image Credit: Getty Images Monroe frequently brushed elbows with A-listers like Vivien Leigh and Sir Laurence Olivier.
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Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller, 1957
Image Credit: Everett Collection / Everett Collection Monroe and her third husband, Arthur Miller, were all smiles at movie premieres of all kinds. But behind the scenes, they had a hard marriage filled with distance, miscarriages, and fighting.
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Miller and Monroe Were Lovebirds, 1957
Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection Arthur Miller and Marilyn Monroe waited in their car to leave their residence. Monroe and Miller lived in a now-$6.75 million NYC penthouse.
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Monroe Off to Work, 1958
Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection Marilyn Monroe left her home in New York to film the iconic film, Some Like It Hot. She took a brief acting break before returning to act in the legendary film.
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Ronald Reagan and Marilyn Monroe, 1959
Image Credit: Corbis via Getty Images Ronald Reagan actually gave Marilyn Monroe her first big job. Reagan thought sending pictures of pretty factory girls would boost morale, so he got Monroe in some shots!
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Some Like It Hot Behind the Scenes, 1958-59
Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection Marilyn was notorious for being late on-set and forgetting her lines, even in her most popular production, Some Like It Hot.
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Marilyn Monroe and Montgomery Clift, 1961
Marilyn Monroe and Montgomery Clift starred alongside one another in the hit film, The Misfits. This was Monroe’s last feature-length film before her untimely death.
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Gallbladder Surgery, 1961
Image Credit: Bettmann Archive Monroe had to undergo an emergency gall bladder operation in 1961, but was in good spirits afterwards.
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Monroe’s Dazzling Smile, 1961
Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection Oscar-nominated actor Don Murray said Monroe hated being in front of the camera. “I think it was a lack of confidence. For somebody who the camera loved, she was still terrified of going before the camera and broke out in a rash all over her body.” Despite this, the camera undeniably loved her.
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Something’s Got to Give, 1962
Image Credit: 20th Century Fox Licensing/Merchandising / Everett Collection Something’s Got to Give was Marilyn’s last performance before her death less than six months later.
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