Marilyn Monroe, born Norma Jeane Mortenson, is one of the most iconic actresses of the 1950s to grace the silver screen in Hollywood. Her time was cut short at the age of 36 but her legacy lives on as one of the most intriguing figures of the 20th century.
Here, we look back at her life in photos beginning as a young Norma Jeane and chronicling her remarkable film career.
-
The blond icon Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe wearing a halter dress in the photoseries made famous by artist Andy Warhol.
-
Infant Norma Jean, 1930
A portrait of American actor Marilyn Monroe, born Norma Jean Mortenson as a young child, playing on a beach in a striped bathing suit.
-
A young Marilyn with her Aunt Ana, 1938
Norma Jeane Baker, future film star Marilyn Monroe , as a teenager, circa 1938. Just behind her is Ana Lower.
-
Before she became Marilyn she was Norma Jean circa 1940s
American actress, singer, model and sex symbol Marilyn Monroe.
-
Marilyn Monroe’s first Screen Test, 1947
Marilyn Monroe undergoing a screen test in a puffy skirt, early in her career, when she was making Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay!
-
Marilyn Monroe With Contest Winners, 1949
American actor Marilyn Monroe presents Photoplay Magazine’s ‘Dream House’ contest winner Virginia McAllister and her son with the key to a new house.
-
A young Marilyn swamped by Fan Mail, 1952
Marilyn Monroe, wearing a red negligee trimmed with black lace, sorts out her fan mail shortly after her film ‘The Asphalt Jungle’ had been released.
-
Marilyn Monroe in Parade, 1952
Marilyn Monroe, currently Hollywood’s most explosive blonde, assumed the angle as she led the classic “Miss America” pageant down the Boardwalk at Atlantic City.
-
Marilyn In A Bathing Suit, 1953
Actress Marilyn Monroe poses for a portrait in a bathing suit and high heels with a bottle of Coca-Cola in a glass on a table behind her in circa 1953.
-
Marilyn outside Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood, 1953
A portrait of actress Marilyn Monroe surrounded by reporters and fans.
-
On the set of “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” 1953
American actress Marilyn Monroe on the set of Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, directed by Howard Hawks.
-
A iconic portrait of Marilyn, 1953
Marilyn in this iconic photograph dressed in a gold statuesque gown.
-
Marilyn Monroe Being Fitted into a Swimsuit, 1953
A wardrobe assistant helps actress Marilyn Monroe into a strapless swimsuit for Independence Day activities.
-
“Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” 1953
American actress Marilyn Monroe, as Lorelei Lee, performing a song in a scene from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, directed by Howard Hawks, 1953.
-
Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio Smiling, 1954
Grace must be natural and Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio, demonstrate that without rehearsal and photographed in the judge’s chambers where they were married.
-
Marilyn Monroe with Ella Fitzgerald, 1954
Marilyn meeting Ella Fitzgerald after her hospitalization at a jazz session at the Tiffany Club in Hollywood.
-
Marilyn Performance, 1954
Actress Marilyn Monroe entertains the troops during a USO tour in February, 1954 in South Korea.
-
Marilyn Monroe Filming “The Seven Year Itch,” 1954
Marilyn Monroe in one of her most famous scenes with actor Tom Ewell in a scene from the movie Seven-Year Itch.
-
On set of the film “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” 1954
Portrait of American actor Marilyn Monroe in a white beaded gown leaning against a wall smoking a cigarette, while on the 20th Century Fox studios set of director Walter Lang’s film, There’s No Business Like Show Business.
-
Marilyn in Palm Springs, 1954
Actress Marilyn Monroe poses for a portrait laying on the grass.
-
Marilyn Monroe Holding Her Award, 1954
Marilyn Monroe holds her award presented by Photoplay Magazine for most popular film actress of 1953.
-
Marilyn Monroe Being Swamped by the Press, 1954
Marilyn Monroe after the news broke that her husband, Joe DiMaggio, were divorcing.
-
Marilyn Monroe In Front Of Fireplace, 1955
A portrait of Marilyn Monroe holding a white carnation while lying on her stomach wearing a red evening dress, long black gloves, and black high heels.
-
Marilyn On The Roof, 1955
American actress Marilyn Monroe leans over the balcony of the Ambassador Hotel in March 1955 in New York City, New York.
-
Marilyn Candid Moment, 1955
Actress Marilyn Monroe reads the book “To the Actor: On the Technique of Acting” by Michael Chekhov in a quiet moment at the Ambassador Hotel in March 1955 in New York City.
-
The “The Rose Tattoo” premiere, 1955
American actress Marilyn Monroe arrives at the premiere of ‘The Rose Tattoo’ at the Astor Theatre in Times Square, New York City, 12th December 1955.
-
Marilyn Monroe Riding a Elephant, 1955
Blonde charmer Marilyn Monroe garnered all her glamour and placed it on top of “Kinardy”, an Indian elephant, painted pink for the Grand March at the Premier of the Circus.
-
Marilyn Monroe Pays Traffic Ticket, 1956
Marilyn Monroe appeared to answer a two year old traffic violation (driving with out a license). The judge gave Marilyn a strong verbal lashing and levied a $56 fine.
-
Actress Marilyn Monroe Hugging Arthur Miller, 1956
Marilyn Monroe hugs playwright Arthur Miller as an unidentified reporter looks on, during their sidewalk interview in front of her apartment building.
-
On the set of “Bus Stop,” 1956
American actors Marilyn Monroe and Don Murray on the set of Bus Stop, directed by Joshua Logan.
-
Marilyn Monroe In “Some Like It Hot,” 1958
Actress Marilyn Monroe on the set of the film Some Like it Hot in Los Angeles, California.
-
Marilyn Monroe In”Some Like It Hot,” 1958
Actress Marilyn Monroe on the set of the film “Some Like it Hot” on Coronado Beach in Coronado, California.
-
“Let’s Make Love,” 1960
Actress Marilyn Monroe in a scene from her 1960 film Let’s Make Love in Los Angeles, California.
-
Marilyn In Make Up, 1960
Marilyn Monroe receiving make-up and hair preparation on the set of movie- Let’s Make Love, 1960.
-
Marilyn Monroe swamped by reporters, 1961
Actress Marilyn Monroe leaving hospital after gall bladder surgery surrounded by crush of press and public.
-
Marilyn Monroe Singing “Happy Birthday” to JFK, 1962
Actress Marilyn Monroe sings “Happy Birthday” to President John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden, for his upcoming 45th birthday.
-
“The Misfits”, 1961
Marilyn in her final film The Misfits, starring Clark Gable, Thelma Ritter, Eli Wallach, Montgomery Clift, 1961
-
“The Misfits”, 1961
The Misfits, (L-R), Eli Wallach, Thelma Ritter, Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe, 1961
-
“The Misfits”, 1961
The Misfits, Estelle Winwood, Eli Wallach, Montgomery Clift, Marilyn Monroe, Clark Gable, 1961
Must Read Stories
Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy.