Description
Marilyn Monroe, born Norma Jean Mortenson, was a famous 20th century actress, singer and model. She is forever remembered as the personification of “sexy”, by being the most popular sex symbol of the 50’s & 60’s. Even today, she is still a major icon, recognised by many, no matter what generation they belong to.
Norma / Marilyn was born in 1926 in Los Angeles and spent her childhood in foster care and orphanages, due to her mother’s mental instability; she didn’t learn about some of her sibling until much later in life. Monroe was the maiden name of her mother Gladys.
During that childhood, Marilyn got molested by some of her foster guardians, developing a stutter, becoming a very shy and withdrawn girl.
Her desire to become an actor came from the fact that she saw the world around her as being kind of grim, and was often gotten rid of by being sent to the movies, where she’s spend day and night looking at the silver screen.
Due to some personal situations, and as a form of escapism, Monroe married for the first time at the age of 16, her next door neighbour and dropped out of high school where she was a mediocre student.
During World War II, she worked at a munition factory, where slowly, some of her aspirations came to her: she wanted to become a model, which she did, leaving her husband behind and signing a contract with her first agency in 1945. She became a pin-up model, working mostly for advertising and being published in men’s magazines.
She then straightened her hair and dyed it blonde, and in 1946, signed her first contract with an acting agency, her stage name, “Marilyn Monroe” comes from that period. After some time spent learning the basics of the job, Marilyn took on her first role in 1947. Because she was deemed too shy, Fox didn’t renew her; however, she signed with Columbia Pictures, with the help of acquaintances in 1948.
The breakthrough didn’t come before the early 50’s where small roles were slowly gathering her an audience and recognition. Due to a nude calendar scandal in 1952, she gained sympathy from the public and became the talk of Hollywood, making it to the gossip columns, and making the cover of “Life” magazine. Studios quickly began to capitalise on her new-found fame. Soon after, her efforts started paying off and she gained positive reviews for some of her recent roles.
Her real fame came in 1953, with film noir “Niagara”, where she became a femme fatale and a major sex symbol. At that time, her trademark make-up look also was developed. Her first big box office success was “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”, followed by “Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend”.
In 1954, she married Joe DiMaggio and travelled around Asia. Her popularity was on the rise. More movies were made and the famous subway grate scene which is now symbolic of her was shot in the motion picture the “Seven Year Itch”, in 1955. Her latest marriage didn’t last long, due to her husband’s jealousy and abusive behaviour.
Monroe remained shy and kept on taking various acting classes to grow her skills and the ranges of roles she could portray. She also started affairs with famous actor Marlon Brando and playwright Arthur Miller, which she ended up marrying.
The 1960’s saw some unsuccessful releases, as her roles lacked her usual enthusiasm. Her last movie was “the Misfits”. Her health was starting to fail her: gallstones, drug addiction and depression, which lead many of her on-going projects and films to run high on production costs, as she was needing constant rest and giving poor performances in her roles.
Marilyn died on August 4th 1962 at her Brentwood neighbourhood home in Los Angeles. The cause of death was an acute barbiturate poisoning.