Marilyn Monroe

Actress, Model

American Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Quick Info

ProfessionActress, Model
NationalityAmerican
Date of Birth01/06/1926
Age36 years (died on 05, Aug, 1962)
BirthplaceLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Date of Death05/08/1962

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Bio/Wiki

Real NameNorma Jeane Mortenson (later Norma Jeane Baker)
Stage Name OriginFirst name from Broadway star Marilyn Miller, surname from mother's maiden name Monroe

Personal Life

ChildhoodDifficult; spent time in foster homes and orphanage, endured sexual abuse including rape at age 11
Mental Health NoteMother institutionalized for psychological problems in 1935

Relationships & More

Marriages
  • Spouse: James Dougherty Date: 1942 (age 16) Divorce: June 1946
  • Spouse: Joe Di, Maggio Date: 14/01/1954 Divorce: 27/10/1954 Reason: Conflict of careers
  • Spouse: Arthur Miller Date: 1956 Divorce: 1961
OtherKnown for relationships with Arthur Miller, Joe DiMaggio, possibly John F. Kennedy

Family

MotherGladys Pearl Baker (psychological problems)
Father, never met
SiblingsHalf-sister, no close relationship

Career

ModelingDiscovered at munitions factory in Van Nuys, California 1944-1945, became pin-up model, dyed hair blonde
Acting StartSigned with 20th Century Fox August 26, 1946, first film contract $125/week
Key Films
  • Ladies of the Chorus (1948)
  • The Asphalt Jungle (1950)
  • All About Eve (1950)
  • River of No Return (1954)
  • Bus Stop (1956)
  • The Seven Year Itch (1955)
  • Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
  • Some Like It Hot (1959)
ProductionsFounded Marilyn Monroe Productions in 1955 with Milton Greene, produced Bus Stop and The Prince and the Showgirl (co-starring Laurence Olivier)
AchievementsGolden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy for Some Like It Hot (1959), Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role - Musical or Comedy for Bus Stop (1956), Photoplay's Most Popular Female Star award
Later CareerFired from Something's Got to Give (1962) due to frequent absences, later rehired but work never resumed
Total Films30 films completed, 1 unfinished (Something's Got to Give)
Box OfficeFilms grossed over $200 million

Style Quotient

ImageBlonde hair, sex symbol, glamour icon, pop culture icon

Some Lesser Known Facts

1. Married at 16 to avoid orphanages
2. Enrolled in Lee Strasberg’s Actors Studio, became friends with Strasberg family
3. Legally changed name to Marilyn Monroe on 23/02/1956
4. Died of barbiturate overdose, ruled probable suicide
5. Performed USO show in South Korea, singing for over 60,000 U.S. Marines over a four-day period
6. Settled lawsuit with 20th Century Fox in March 1956, receiving $100,000 bonus and starring role in The Seven Year Itch
Information on this page is collected from public sources and may not be 100% accurate. Report an error
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