Biography of Marillyn Monroe
IMDb Mini Biography By: Ed Stephan
(I'll be adding more pictures later on)
~~~
Date of Birth~~~
June 1926, Los Angeles
California, USA
~~~
Date of Death~~~
August 5, 1962, Los Angeles,
California, USA
~~~
Birth Name
Norma Jeane Mortenson
~~~
Nickname
The Blonde Bombshell
MM
~~~
Height
5' 5½" (1.66 m)
Weight 140
Spouses
Arthur Miller (29 June 1956
- 20 January 1961) (divorced)
Joe DiMaggio (14 January 1954
- 27 October 1954) (divorced)
James Dougherty (19 June 1942
- 13 September 1946) (divorced)
Trade Mark
Lisp, breathless voice
Platinum blonde hair
Voluptuous figure
Trivia~
Voted 'Sexiest Woman of the Century'
by People Magazine. [1999]
Was 1947's Miss California,
Artichoke Queen.
In her autobiography, "My Story",
she recounted her guardian told her,
she was, a direct descendant of,
James Monroe.
Her mother's maiden name was Monroe,
but there is no evidence she was,
a descendant of the U.S. President.
She was "discovered" by press,
photographers during a World War II,
photo shoot at the, Radioplane plant,
in California owned by actor,
Reginald Denny.
She was one of the employees there.
Was roommates with Shelley Winters,
when they were both starting out,
in Hollywood.
Ranked #8 in Empire (UK) magazine's
"The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time"
list, [October 1997].
Voted Empire's (UK) "sexiest female,
movie star of all time" in 1995.
She was Playboy's first,
"Sweetheart of the Month",
in December 1953.
When she died in 1962 at age 36,
she left an estate valued at $1.6,
million.
When not acting, she preferred,
to wear, nothing but a bathrobe,
and occasionally a bikini.
Formed her own production company,
Marilyn Monroe Productions,
with Milton H. Greene on December 31,
1955.
She is mentioned in the song,
"Lady Nina" by rock band Marillion.
Her USO Entertainer Identification,
Card, (#129778) listed her name as,
"Norma Jeane DiMaggio".
Was named the Number One Sex Star,
of the 20th Century by Playboy,
magazine, in 1999.
Started using the name Marilyn Monroe,
in 1946 but did not legally change,
it until 1956.
Appeared on the first cover,
of Playboy in 1953.
Given a dog she named Tippy by,
foster father, Albert Bolender.
In her final, unfinished film,
"Something's Got to Give"(1962),
the dog was also named Tippy.
Interred at Westwood Memorial Park,
Los Angeles, California, USA
in the Corridor of Memories,
crypt #24.
Hundreds of items of memorabilia,
auctioned off in late October 1999,
by Christie's with her infamous,
'JFK', birthday-gown fetching over,
$1 million.
Chosen by Empire magazine as one,
of the 100 sexiest Stars in film,
history, (#2)[1995].
Hugh M. Hefner owns the closest,
burial, vault, next to hers.
Redheaded actress Tina Louise,
played, the character role of,
Ginger Grant, on the television,
series "Gilligan's Island" (1964),
was loosely based on Marilyns,
personality but with a different,
hair color.
Her first modeling job paid only,
five dollars.
She became "The Sweetheart of the
Month" in the first issue of,
Hefner's, magazine, Playboy.
Neither Kelley or Monroe ever,
saw a dime, of the millions the,
calendar made for its, publisher.
She took acting lessons from,
Michael Chekhov.
Was referenced in the dialogue,
of La Dolce Vita (1960),
in the context of dieting.
The Emily Ann Faulkner/Rita Shawn,
character, (played by Kim Stanley),
in the John Cromwell film,
"The Godess" 1958 and was based,
on her.
Frequently used Nivea moisturizer.
During the filming of Niagara,
(1953) she was still under contract,
as a, stock actor thus she received,
less, salary than her make up man.
This was also the only film in,
which, her character died.
Fearing blemishes and sweat,
she washed her face fifteen,
times a day.
Def Leppard's 1983 #1 hit single,
"Photograph", from their "Pyromania",
album was written about her.
"Candle in the Wind", Elton John's,
song, was originally written about her,
and was lyrically, re-changed to fit,
Princess Diana upon her death, in 1997.
Coincidentally both legends died at,
age 36.
The punk band The Misfits created,
or picked, their name from the last,
movie title, she acted in,
"The Misfits" 1961.
The punk band The Misfits recorded,
a song called, "Who Killed Marilyn?"
inspired by lead singer,
Glenn Danzig's belief that she had,
been murdered.
The dress Marilyn Monroe wore,
to serenade, John F. Kennedy,
on May 19, 1962 at his birthday,
celebration was so tight that,
it had to be sewn onto her.
She had to sit still for,
approximately, an hour.
In 1999, a make-up kit that she,
personally owned sold for $266,500.
One of the first Los Angeles natives,
to become a major movie star.
Aside from her birth name of,
Norma Jeane Mortenson she was,
baptized, and mainly known,
throughout her life as,
Norma Jeane Baker.
During her modeling days she,
was also, known as Norma Jeane
Dougherty (her first marriage name),
and also as, Jean Norman.
Named 2nd Greatest Movie Star,
of all time, by Premier Magazine,
behind #1 Cary Grant, and before,
#3 Tom Cruise.
The very popular version of,
"Santa Baby" (also found in the film,
Party Monster (2003)) thought to be,
sung by her was instead, recorded by,
Cynthia Basinet for Jack Nicholson,
as a Christmas gift.
Ten days in advance, on Saturday,
May 19th, 1962 she performed for,
U.S. President John F., Kennedy at,
his 45th birthday tribute in his,
honor at Madison Square Garden.
She sang "Happy Birthday".
(Kennedy's real birthday,
was May 29th).
Is one of the many movie stars,
mentioned, in Madonna's song,
"Vogue".
Was good friends with,
Dorothy Dandridge and Ava Gardner,
when they were all young,
struggling actresses in Hollywood.
In "How To Marry A millionaire"1953),
her character Pola is reading a book,
called "Murder By Strangulation"
on the plane.
Coincidentally, this is how her,
character, was murdered in "Niagara"
(1953).
Friend of James Haspiel.
Her classic shape according to her,
dressmaker is actually measured at,
37-23-36.
In 1946, she signed her first,
studio, contract, with 20th Century
Fox and dyed her hair.
She was discovered dead at her,
home, at 12305 Fifth Helena Drive,
Brentwood, California.
She had a phone in one of her,
hands her body was completely,
nude, and face down on her bed.
Ex-husband Joe DiMaggio put,
fresh roses, at her memorial,
site for numerous years after,
her death.
When putting her imprints at,
Grauman's, she joked that,
Jane Russell was best known,
for her large front-side,
and she was known for her wiggly,
walk, so Jane could lean over,
and she could sit in it.
It was only a joke but she,
dotted the, "I", in her name,
with a rhinestone which was,
stolen, within days.
The first Playboy magazine cover,
featuring her is pictured on one,
of six, stamps issued in a,
souvenir sheet issued by Grenada,
& the Grenadines on, Saturday,
December 1st, 2003 to celebrate,
Playboy's, 50th and golden,
anniversary.
After discovering her dress was,
torn, at the 1950 Academy Awards,
she burst into tears.
Was named #6 Actress on,
The American Film Institute's,
50 Greatest Screen Legends.
Was close friends with singer,
Ella Fitzgerald and helped her,
rise, in her musical career by,
arranging for her to sing in,
many upscale nightclubs,
some of which were segregated,
during, the time of their,
friendship.
Portrayed by: by Mira Sorvino,
and Ashley Judd,in Norma Jean &,
Marilyn (1996) (TV); 'Misty Rowe,
(I)' in Goodbye, Norma Jean,
(1976);
Barbara Niven in The Rat Pack,
(1998)
(TV); Holly Beavon in James Dean,
(2001)
(TV); Constance Forslund in,
This Year's Blonde (1980)
(TV); Susan Griffiths in Marilyn,
and Me (1991) (TV); Catherine,
Hicks, in Marilyn: The Untold Story,
(1980),
(TV); Sophie Monk in _Mystery,
of Natalie Wood, The (2004) (TV)
Poppy Montgomery in "Blonde"
(2001); Kerri Randles in, Introducing,
Dorothy Dandridge (1999)
(TV); Heather Thomas in Hoover vs.
the Kennedys: The Second Civil War,
(1987) (TV); Melody Anderson in,
Marilyn & Bobby: Her Final Affair,
(1993) (TV); Eve Gordon (I)' in,
"A Woman Named Jackie" (1991);
Mary Gross on,"Saturday Night Live",
(1975).
When she signed with 20th Century-Fox,
studio casting executive Ben Lyon,
had first, chosen the name,
Carol Lind, as her stage name,
although she, disliked that.
Eventually she chose her mother's,
maiden name of Monroe.
Three names were drawn up as,
possible, stage names.
The first was Norma Jeane Monroe,
although that sounded awkward;
the second was Jean Monroe,
and the third was Marilyn Monroe,
the latter first name being,
chosen by, Lyon who thought,
Norma Jeane resembled famed,
stage actress Marilyn Miller.
Norma Jeane liked Jean Monroe,
for it preserved some of her,
name, but Lyon convinced her,
that, Marilyn Monroe sounded,
more, alliterative and so,
it was chosen.
Often carried around the book,
"The Biography of Abraham Lincoln."
Was an outstanding player on the,
Hollygrove Orphanage softball team.
Wore glasses.
Her personal library contained,
over 400 books, on topics ranging,
from art to history, psychology,
philosophy, literature, religion,
poetry, and gardening.
Many of the volumes auctioned in,
1999 bore her pencil notations,
in the margins.
There are over 600 books written,
about her.
Because the bathing suit she wore,
in the movie "Love Nest"1951)
was so risque (for the time period)
and caused such a commotion on the,
set, director Joseph M. Newman had,
to make it, a closed set when she,
was filming.
She was suggested as a possible,
wife, for Prince Rainier of Monaco.
But he picked actress, Grace Kelly,
to be his wife.
Became pregnant twice,
in July 1957 and November 1958,
during her marriage to,
Arthur Miller; on both occasions,
she suffered miscarriages.
Ranked #3 in Men's Health 100,
Hottest Women of all Time (2011).
Good friends with Milton H.
Greene.
Was a lifelong liberal Democrat.
Thought the right side of her face,
was her "best" side.
The first time she signed an,
autograph, as Marilyn Monroe,
she had to ask how, to spell it.
She didn't know where to put the,
"i" in "Marilyn".
Born on Tuesday at 9:30 AM,
Pacific Standard Time which is,
Los Angeles, California's time zone.
Appears on sleeve of The Beatles'
"Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club
Band" album.
Batman writer/artist Bob Kane used,
Marilyn's, likeness as a reference,
when he drew, Vicki Vale.
Suffered from endometriosis,
a condition in which tissues of the,
uterus lining, (endometrium) leave,
the uteru, attach themselves to other,
areas of the body, and grow causing,
pain, irregular bleeding, and in,
severe cases, infertility.
Divorced first husband,
James Dougherty in Las Vegas
Nevada.
Divorced last husband,
Arthur Miller, in Juarez, Mexico.
Ranked #3 in Men's Health 100,
Hottest Women of all Time (2011).
Good friends with Milton H.
Greene.
Monroe was a stutterer a little,
known fact, that was easily,
covered thanks to studio vocal,
coaches who provided her with,
dictation lessons.
On Thursday, February 23rd, 1956,
she obtained order from the City,
Court, of the State of New York,
to legally, change her name from,
Norma Jeane Mortenson,
to Marilyn Monroe.
Married Arthur Miller twice:
the 1st time in a civil ceremony,
then in a Jewish to which she had,
converted, ceremony two days later.
Her last film "Somethings Got
To Give" 1962) was finally,
released, in 2003.
In the swimming pool scene,
Marilyn reveals much more,
to the camera than she did,
in her then controversial,
calendar photo from the early,
1950s.
Was in consideration for,
the part of Adelaide,
in "Guys And Dolls" (1955)"
but Vivian Blaine was cast,
instead.
Although she was perhaps,
the most famous actress,
of the 1950s decade she,
never made, more than $100,000,
per picture upfront.
Actresses such as,
Elizabeth Taylor and,
Barbara Stanwyck were earning,
significantly more.
Won an interlocutory decree from,
Joe DiMaggio on Wednesday,
October 27th, 1954 but under,
California law the divorce was not,
finalized until, exactly one year,
later.
Offered to convert to Catholism,
in order to marry Joe DiMaggio,
in a Church, ceremony but she,
was turned down because she was,
divorced.
Subsequently when the divorced,
DiMaggio, married Marilyn in a,
civil ceremony, at San Francisco,
City Hall, he was automatically,
excommunicated by the Church;
this edict was struck down by,
Pope John XXIII's Ecumenical,
Council (Vatican II) in 1962.
Although it's believed that her,
mother, Gladys Baker, named her,
after, Norma Talmadge Gladys,
reportedly told, her daughter,
Bernice (Marilyn's half-
sister), that she named Marilyn,
after, Norma Jeane Cohen a woman,
Gladys knew, while she lived in,
Kentucky with, Bernice's father.
The first stamp released in the,
USPS's, Legends of Hollywood,
series, issued on Friday, June 1st,
1995.
Went to Van Nuys High School,
(Los Angeles), in the early 1940s,
but never graduated.
Elton John and Bernie Taupin,
wrote a tribute to her entitled,
"Candle in the Wind".
Former stepmother of,
Robert A. Miller.
Half-sister of Berniece and,
Robert Kermitt Baker but she,
never knew him, because he,
died at 14 by her mother's,
side.
Sister-in-law of Paris Miracle,
aunt of Mona Rae Miracle.
Her behavior on the unfinished,
"Somethings Got To Give"(1962),
dimmed her reputation in the,
industry, but she was still big,
box office, at the time of her,
death.
At 168, Marilyn's IQ was,
significantly higher than,
John F. Kennedy's 129.
(A score of 100 is considered average,
and 150 to be highly gifted).
In 1961, after her divorce,
from, Arthur Miller she purchased,
a 2900, square foot hacienda,
style house in Brentwood for,
$77,500.
Featured in "Femme Noir",
"Bad Girls of Film" by,
Karen Burroughs Hannsberry,
(McFarland, 1998).
Champagne was her drink,
of choice and Dom Perignon,
was her personal, favorite.
"What A Way To Go" 1964,
and "The Stripper" were
being developed for her.
When she was told that she was not,
the star,in "Gentlemen Prefer Blonds"
1953 verbially said "Well whatever,
I am, I'm still the blonde."
The famous nude photo of her by,
Tom Kelley, originally appeared as,
anonymous, on a calendar entitled,
"Miss Golden Dreams."
Her lifelong bouts with depression,
and self-destruction took their toll,
during filming "The Seven Year Itch"
(1955).
She frequently muffed scenes and,
forgot her lines leading to,
sometimes as many, as 40 takes of,
a scene before a satisfactory,
result was produced.
Her constant tardiness and behavioral,
problems made the budget of the film,
for the time.
The film still managed to make a nice,
profit.
Sergei Parajanov made collages,
of Monroe, Charles Chaplin,
Mona Lisa,and other famous,
personages and many were,
featured in, Mikhail Vartanov's
Parajanov: The Last Spring (1992).
A 1982 review into the original,
inquest, of Marilyn's death,
conducted on its 20-year anniversary,
concluded that the actress,
comitted suicide or accidentally,
overdosed and was not murdered--
rumors that were fuled by the,
sloppy, handling of evidence,
the delay in securing the scene,
and the dissappearance of tissue,
samples.
The ADR stage at Twentieth Century,
Fox, is named after her.
In 1972, actress Veronica Hamel,
and her husband became the new,
owners, of Marilyn's Brentwood home.
They hired a contractor to replace
the roof and remodel the house,
and the contractor discovered,
a sophisticated, eavesdropping and,
telephone tapping system that,
covered, every room in the house.
The components were not,
commercially, available in 1962,
but were in the words of a retired,
Justice, Department official,
"standard FBI issue."
This discovery lent further support,
to claims, of conspiracy theroists,
that Marilyn had been under,
surveillance, by the Kennedys,
and the Mafia.
The new owners spent $100,000,
to remove the bugging devices,
from the house.
When budding actresses Shelley Winters,
and Marilyn were roommates in the late,
1940s, in Hollywood, Shelley said that,
one day, she had to step out and asked,
Marilyn to wash the lettuce for,
a salad they were to share for dinner.
When Shelley got back to the,
apartment, (Marilyn was apparently,
new to the art, of cooking) had the,
leaves of lettuce, in a small tub of,
soapy water and was, scrubbing them,
clean.
"Don't Bother To Knock"(1952),
(her 18th film),was an attempt,
to prove, to critics that,
she could act,successfully.
Because some earlier films took,
numerous, takes and much longer,
time to complete.
Especially, "The Seven Year Itch"
(1955) which took numerous extra,
takes, for her character role alone.
In Italy, her films were dubbed,
at the beginning of her career,
by Miranda Bonansea.
As she matured she was dubbed,
by the marvellous and prolific,
Rosetta Calavetta with immense,
success particularly in,
"Some Like It Hot" (1959),
Zoe Incrocci lent her voice to,
Monroe once: in "All About Eve"
(1950).
The classic shot of her dress,
blowing up around her legs as she,
stands over a subway, grating in,
this film was originally shot on,
Manhattan's Lexington Avenue at,
52nd St On Wednesday, September 15th,
(1954), at 1:00 a.m.
Five thousand, onlookers whistled,
and cheered through take after take,
as Marilyn, repeatedly missed,
her lines.
This occurred in presence of an,
increasingly embarrassed and angry,
Joe DiMaggio (her husband at the,
time; the nine-month-old marriage,
officially ended during the shooting,
of this film).
The original footage shot on,
that night in New York never,
made it to the screen; the noise,
of the crowd had made it,
unusable.
Director Billy Wilder re-shot,
the scene, on the 20th Century
-Fox lot on a set replicating,
Lexington Avenue and got a more,
satisfactory result.
However, it took another 40 takes,
for Marilyn to achieve the famous,
scene.
Amazingly, her very narrow spike,
heels, don't get stuck or break,
in the subway, grating although,
this was a universal problem at,
the time for the countless women,
wearing that very popular style,
heel, in New York City in that,
era.
An important promotional campaign,
was released for this mainstream,
motion, picture including a 52-
foot-high cutout of Marilyn from,
the blowing dress scene erected,
in front of Loews State Theater,
in, New York City's Times Square.
The movie premiere was on June 1,
(1955), which was also her 29th,
birthday.
Was originally set to play,
Holly Golightly, in "Breakfest
At Tiffanys" (1961) but,
Audrey Hepburn played the role,
instead.
"What A Way To Go"(1964) initially,
intended, as a vehicle for her,
Shirley MacLaine played Louisa
May Foster instead.
Producer Arthur P. Jacobs was her,
on her list, of approved directors.
She resided at the,
Hollywood Roosevelt while she,
was breaking into the acting,
business.
Her "Happy Birthday Mr. President",
dress sold for $1,267,500.00,
a world, record for the most,
expensive piece of clothing,
ever sold, and is in the Guinness,
Book of World Records.
She left Hollywood to pursue,
serious, acting by studying,
under Lee Strasberg, at his Actors'
Studio in New York City.
Spent most of her early childhood,
in foster homes and orphanages,
because, her mother was committed,
to a mental, institution.
Later, she lived with her mother's,
best friend Grace McKee and her,
family.
McKee, a big fan of Jean Harlow,
allowed her to wear make-up and,
curl, her hair and, when she was,
15, it was McKee who pierced her,
ears, for her using a sewing,
needle.
At 16, when McKee could no longer,
take care of her, she got married,
to avoid returning to the orphanage.
Producer Keya Morgan owns,
her Bible.
When she married Joe DiMaggio,
the couple moved into a home at,
508 N. Palm Drive in Beverly Hills,
that was next door, to Jean Harlow's,
last home.
She tried 9 different shades of,
blonde hair color before settling,
on platinum blonde.
Nearly 11 years after her death,
she appeared on the cover of the,
Tuesday, July 17th, 1973 edition,
of "Time Magazine" in a full-color,
portrait taken by Bert Stern from,
the last photographic sitting,
before her death.
The cover-story heralds the,
publication, of "Marilyn,"
the biography of her by,
Norman Mailer.
On the cover her image dwarfs,
a black, & white photo of Mailer.
Mailer reportedly was displeased,
that "Time" chose to play up,
Monroe and diminish him visually,
on the cover.
The publication of the coffee,
table biography which contained,
many, photographs including,
several by Stern was a major,
event of that publishing season.
The book retailed for $19.95,
which is approximately $100 in,
2008 money, when factored for,
inflation.
"Time Magazine" reported in 1973,
that, Los Angeles County coroner,
Thomas Noguchi the doctor who,
performed, Monroe's autopsy,
said that contrary to rumors,
Monroe's stomach was never,
pumped after her death.
The level of Nembutal in her,
bloodstream was 4.5 milligrams,
per 100 which is, the equivalent,
of 40 or, 50 capsules,
indicating suicide.
