Happy Birthday Marilyn Monroe!
Inspiring musicians, actors, artists, and most everyone else for a half century after her death, join us as we celebrate Marilyn Monroe for the month of June!
Born Norma Jean Baker at the Los Angeles County Hospital on June 1st, 1926, Marilyn faced a tumultuous childhood, which included becoming a ward of the state and being placed into foster care. One of the most legendary sex symbols and recognizable actresses of all time, she actually began her career as a model, which led to a film contract in 1946. Her early film appearances were minor, but her performances (and appearance) in both The Asphalt Jungle and All About Eve drew attention to her.
Photos via thegloss and weheartit.
It was shortly after these films that her “dumb blonde persona” was developed. Audiences loved her breathy bombshell approach, however she began to find that she was limited by typecasting, and studied at the Actors Studio to broaden her range. The director of Bus Stop, the first film for which Marilyn received critical acclaim, stated “I found Marilyn to be one of the great talents of all time… she struck me as being a much brighter person than I had ever imagined, and I think that was the first time I learned that intelligence and, yes, brilliance have nothing to do with education.”
Photos via zumaworld and quizz.
Hollywood is celebrating what would have been the star’s 86th birthday with a weeklong film festival at Grauman’s Chinese Theater. Grauman’s is also holding a Look-A-Like Contest, with the first 200 impersonators receiving free admission. 10% of the festival passes purchased will go to Hollygrove, the orphanage where Marilyn spent her childhood. What’s your favorite Marilyn Monroe movie?
