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MARILYN MONROE INFLUENTIAL ACTRESS AND TIMELESS POP CULTURE ICON

FULL NAME: Norma Jean Baker Mortenson

BORN: JUNE 1, 1926, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A.

DIED: AUGUST 5, 1962, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, U.S.A.

NATIONALITY: AMERICAN

Andy Warhol-inspired street art of Marilyn, in Montreal, Canada, 2015

BEYOND THE FAÇADE

Marilyn Monroe’s beauty, charm, and talent were jewels to behold. On the surface, Marilyn was known for her appearance and “dumb” bombshell movie roles. But Marilyn was also a fearless activist, determined businesswoman, studious master of her craft, and tireless humanitarian. Those lucky enough to work with her called her a genius and a master of the screen. Despite the “dumb blonde” image, she had an inquisitive mind, fascinated by everything from religion to psychology, literature to poetry, and she counted slavery abolitionist Abraham Lincoln among her heroes. One of her favorite possessions was a photo of Albert Einstein, signed with the words: “To Marilyn, with respect and love and thanks.”

THE BIRTH OF MARILYN MONROE

Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jean Mortenson (and was occasionally called Norma Jean Baker). Her single mother was unable to look after her, so Norma spent her childhood alternating between foster care and an orphanage. By the age of 16, she had dropped out of school and married her boyfriend, to get her out of the cycle of foster homes. When her husband left for the merchant marines, Norma began work at a weapons factory. It was during this time that she was discovered by a photographer and started work as a model. Her star quality radiated in ads and pinups from the start, but Norma dreamed of becoming an actress. In 1946, she came up with the name of “Marilyn Monroe”—by combining the family name of “Monroe” with that of “Marilyn Miller,” a popular 1920s performer.

With her new name (and newly dyed blonde hair), Marilyn signed her first movie contract, in 1946. She quickly gained attention for her beauty and stage presence, but it wasn’t until her performance in All About Eve, starring Bette Davis, that audiences sat up and took notice. From there, Marilyn would go on to star in a string of hits, mostly light-hearted comedies and musicals, such as the 1953 movie Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. She won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy for her starring role in 1959’s Some Like it Hot, and the American Film Institute later named this film the greatest American comedy of all time.

ICON OF STYLE AND CULTURE

Marilyn was an all-around icon: a style icon for her clothes, curvaceous figure, and hair; a cultural icon for the roles she played. The white halterneck dress she famously wore in The Seven Year Itch sold for $5.6 million, making it the most valuable costume in movie history, and countless designers have been trying to copy her look ever since. It is less known that she was also a political icon for her activism. In 1955, Marilyn made a stand for civil rights when she persuaded the famous Mocambo Club to book black jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald (see here) and become an integrated venue. For this, Ella called her “ahead of her times.” But at the time, Marilyn was much more famous for scandals and headlines. In addition to her teenage marriage, Marilyn was married to baseball legend Joe DiMaggio and playwright Arthur Miller and had several other high-profile relationships. She suffered from insecurities and anxiety and was constantly in the press.

vOn August 5, 1962, at the age of only 36, Marilyn was found dead at her home. The cause of death was listed as suicide, but controversy continues to surround the star’s demise. Marilyn famously said that it was the people, not the studios, who made her a star, for which she was grateful. However, it is believed that it was the fame and scrutiny that killed her.

Marilyn’s films made more than $200 million during her career, and her appeal has not diminished—more than 50 years after her death. Influencing stars from Madonna (see here) to Lady Gaga, today she remains one of the world’s most popular cultural icons and celebrated actresses.