Marilyn Monroe (born Norma Jeane Mortenson; June 1, 1926 – August 4, 1962) was an American actress, writer, model, singer and filmmaker. Between 1946 and 1962, she made 44 movies. Famous for playing comic "blonde bombshell" characters, she became one of the most popular sex symbols of the 1950s and was emblematic of the era's attitudes towards sexuality. Although she was a top-billed actress for only a decade, her films grossed $200 million by the time of her unexpected death in 1962.

Biography 
Marilyn Monroe was born as Norma Jeane Mortenson or Norma Jeane Baker, on June 1, 1926 at LAC+USC Medical Center in Los Angeles, California, United States. When she was seven years old, her mother, Gladys (Monroe) Baker Mortenson, was hospitalized after being diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic, a severe mental condition. Norma was left in a series of foster homes and the Los Angeles Orphans' Home Society. The constant move from one foster home to another resulted in Norma's "sketchy" educational background.

After Norma's sixteenth birthday, her foster parents had to move from California. To avoid an orphanage or a new foster home, Norma chose to get married. On June 19, 1942, Norma married James Dougherty, but the marriage would all but end when he joined the U.S. Merchant Marines in 1943. Though her difficult childhood and early failed marriage would make Norma Jean a strong and resilient woman, these experiences would also add to her insecurities and flaws—things that would ultimately shape her into a great tragic figure of the twentieth century.

Movies 
Marilyn Monroe became famous, starring in a number of hit movies during the 1950s and early 1960s. She also became famous for modeling for photographers and singing in her musical movies. One time, she sang "Happy Birthday" to President John F. Kennedy. It turned out to be one of her last appearances.

Personal life

Marriages
The 16-year-old Norma Jeane married James Dougherty on June 19, 1942. After the wedding, he joined the navy. At this time, Norma met an army photographer, David Conover. She began a career as a model. She changed her name to Marilyn Monroe. She and Dougherty divorced on September 13, 1946.

Monroe married the baseball star Joe DiMaggio on January 14, 1954. The marriage lasted for nine months. She had met DiMaggio on a blind date, during the filming of the movie Monkey Business in 1952. The marriage was closely followed by the public. DiMaggio retired from baseball, and Marilyn became very famous. DiMaggio was sad that his career as a baseball star was ending, and was jealous of Marilyn for being admired. He spent most of his time watching television and Monroe found it boring. They separated on October 31, 1954. From 1961, they became friends again. DiMaggio said that he gave Marilyn a rose every week for 10 years.

Marilyn married Arthur Miller on June 29, 1956. She converted to Judaism. She had met him during the filming of As Young As You Feel in 1951. She was so happy with him and they tried to have children together. Marilyn had three miscarriages, because of her endometriosis. Miller wrote the screenplay for the movie The Misfits. The filming caused many problems between Marilyn and Arthur and they separated on January 20, 1961.

Death 
She died early from an overdose of barbiturates on August 4, 1962 in Brentwood, Los Angeles, California, U.S. at 36 years old.

Filmography 
 Dangerous Years (1947)
 Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay! (1948)
 Ladies of the Chorus (1948)
 Love Happy (1949)
 A Ticket to Tomahawk (1950)
 The Asphalt Jungle (1950)
 All About Eve (1950)
 The Fireball (1950)
 Right Cross (1951)
 Home Town Story (1951)
 As Young as You Feel (1951)
 Love Nest (1951)
 Let's Make It Legal (1951)
 Clash by Night (1952)
 We're Not Married! (1952)
 Don't Bother to Knock (1952)
 Monkey Business (1952)
 O. Henry's Full House (1952)
 Niagara (1953)
 Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
 How to Marry a Millionaire (1953)
 River of No Return (1954)
 There's No Business Like Show Business (1954)
 The Seven Year Itch (1955)
 Bus Stop (1956)
 The Prince and the Showgirl (1957)
 Some Like It Hot (1959)
 Let's Make Love (1960)
 The Misfits (1961)
 Something's Got to Give (1962 - unfinished)

Awards and nominations 

 1951 Henrietta Awards: The Best Young Box Office Personality
 1952 Photoplay Award: Fastest Rising Star of 1952
 1952 Photoplay Award: Special Award
 1952 Look American Magazine Achievement Award: Most Promising Female Newcomer of 1952
 1953 Golden Globe Henrietta Award: World Film Favorite Female.
 1953 Sweetheart of The Month (Playboy)
 1953 Photoplay Award: Most Popular Female Star
 1954 Photoplay Award for Best Actress: for Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and How to Marry a Millionaire
 1956 BAFTA Film Award nomination: Best Foreign Actress for The Seven Year Itch
 1956 Golden Globe nomination: Best Motion Picture Actress in Comedy or Musical for Bus Stop
 1958 BAFTA Film Award nomination: Best Foreign Actress for The Prince and the Showgirl
 1958 David di Donatello Award (Italian): Best Foreign Actress for The Prince and the Showgirl
 1959 Crystal Star Award (French): Best Foreign Actress for The Prince and the Showgirl
 1960 Golden Globe, Best Motion Picture Actress in Comedy or Musical for Some Like It Hot
 1962 Golden Globe, World Film Favorite: Female
 Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame 6104 Hollywood Blvd.
 1999 she was ranked as the sixth-greatest female star of all time by the American Film Institute in their list AFI's 100 Years... 100 Stars.

References

Sources

Other websites 

 The Official Marilyn Monroe Website
 
 
 
 
 Gallery: The Life of Marilyn Monroe 
Marilyn Monroe Quotes

1926 births
1962 deaths
Actors from Los Angeles
American autobiographers
American movie actors
Converts to Judaism
Drug-related deaths in the United States
Golden Globe Award winning actors
Hawthorne, California
Jewish American actors
Jewish American musicians
Jewish American writers
Jewish models
Models from Los Angeles
Singers from Los Angeles
Former Roman Catholics