Marilyn Monroe

American actress and model (1926–1962)

Fame91.4
Momentum25.9
Global rank#44

Source-basedStable

Fame91.4
Momentum25.9
Global rank#44
United States rank#13
Actors rank#2
Wikipedia568K

Lived 1926–1962, aged 36United States

United States ActorsActor

Wikipedia
201 languages
Cross-language footprint
Global rank
#44
Fame.am leaderboard
Era
1926–1962
Aged 36
Known for
Some Like It Hot
1959

Summary

Updated 2026-08-31

The sex symbol who tried to break her own mold. Monroe made the dumb blonde a commercial juggernaut in the 1950s, then spent years fighting the studio system and studying method acting to prove she was more than the image that made her.

Biography

About

Born Norma Jeane Mortenson in Los Angeles in 1926, she cycled through foster homes and an orphanage before marrying at 16. A wartime factory job led to pin-up modeling, then minor film contracts with Fox and Columbia. By 1951 she'd landed a longer Fox deal, breaking through in comedies and dramas until a nude photo scandal in 1953 only sharpened the public's interest. That year she became one of Hollywood's top earners with Niagara, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and How to Marry a Millionaire—the roles that locked in the blonde bombshell type. Frustrated by typecasting and low pay, she founded her…

Voice

In their own words

Sourced, dated quotes from Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe

said5 Aug 1962

Say goodbye to Pat, say goodbye to the president, and say goodbye to yourself because you're a nice guy. ... I'll see, I'll see.

— Last words to Peter Lawford (5 August 1962), as quoted at Spiegel Online

Marilyn Monroe

said5 Aug 1962

Say good-bye to Pat, say good-bye to Jack and say good-bye to yourself, because you're a nice guy.

— Last words to actor Peter Lawford (5 August 1962), as quoted in US News & World Report (7 October 1985)

Marilyn Monroe

said3 Aug 1962

I think that when you are famous every weakness is exaggerated. ... Goethe said, "Talent is developed in privacy," you know? And it's true. ...

— "Marilyn Monroe Pours Her Heart Out" interview by Richard Meryman, in Life (3 August 1962)

Marilyn Monroe

said3 Aug 1962

Please don't make me a joke. End the interview with what I believe. I don't mind making jokes, but I don't want to look like one...

— Her last taped interview, with Richard Meryman, was published in LIFE magazine two days before her death. (3 August 1962); quoted in Ms.

Marilyn Monroe

said13 Jun 1962

Unfortunately, I am involved in a freedom ride protesting the loss of the minority rights belonging to the few remaining earthbound stars. All we demanded was our right to twinkle.

— Telegram, turning down a party invitation from Mr. and Mrs. Robert F. Kennedy (13 June 1962)

via Wikiquote · CC BY-SA

Gallery