Destiny Streber

December 12, 2010

Block 3
Grade 10
Marilyn Monroe

Marilyn Monroe, was voted the 'Sexiest Woman of the Century' by People
Magazine., Marilyn was named the Number One Sex Star of the 20th Century by
Playboy magazine Marilyn was featured on a 32¢ US postage stamp issued in June 1995.
Elton John recorded a song called "Candle in the Wind" about Marilyn Monroe.
Marilyn Monroe was more than a sex symbol, she showed Hollywood glamour
vulnerability and innocence that gave her world fame. She is without question, the most
famous woman of the 20th Century.

She was born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926 at Los Angeles,General
Hospital in California, to Gladys Baker. The identity of her father was never known even
by Norma Jeane; she was later baptized Norma Jeane Baker. Her mother Gladys had
many psychological problems and was eventually committed to a mental institution in
Santa Monica Norma Jeane was placed in a foster home of Mr and Mrs Bolender for the
first 7 years of her life

Norma Jeane spent most of her childhood in foster homes and orphanages Briefly
living with her mother in a few months 1934 In 1934, she moved in with a her mothers
friend Grace McKee Grace married her husband in 1935 Due to financial difficulties
Grace's husband needed to move to the East Coast for work in 1942, 16-year-old Norma
Jeane could not go with them. Norma Jeane had two options: get married or. return to the
orphanage

On June 19, 1942 she married her 21-year-old neighbor Jimmy Dougherty, whom
she had been seeing for about six months. Norma Jeane loved Jimmy, and they were
happy until he joined the Marines and was sent overseas to the South Pacific in 1944.
After Jimmy left, Norma Jeane took a job on the assembly line at a factory in
Burbank inspecting Parachute, California. Several months later, photographer David
Conover saw her while taking pictures for the Army. He couldn't believe how gorgeous
she was he said she was a "photographer's dream."He asked if her could take further
pictures of her Within two years she was a model who was on over 33 magazine covers.
She enrolled in drama classes with dreams of stardom. When her husband Jimmy
returned in 1946 Norma Jeane had to make another choice- this time it was between her
marriage and her career.

Norma Jeane divorced Jimmy, and in 1946 then signed her first studio contract
with 20th Century Fox. She earned about $125 a week. Norma Jeane decided to dye her
hair blonde and change her name to Marilyn Monroe she chose her grandmother's last
name.

Marilyn's first movie role was a small part in 1947's The Shocking Miss Pilgrim.
She played a series of small parts until 1950, when, Marilyn's performance as Claudia
Caswell in All About Eve earned her favorable reviews. From then on Marilyn worked
steadily in movies such as: Let's Make It Legal, As Young As You Feel, Monkey Business
and Don't Bother to Knock. It was her performance in 1953's Niagara as Rose Loomis, a
beautiful young wife who plots to kill her older, jealous husband that. made her a star.
After Niagara she had lead roles in movies like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and How to
Marry a Millionaire. After Gentleman Prefer Blonds she put her hands and feet in front
of Graumans Chinese Theatre in HollywoodBy the age of 27 she was the best-loved
blonde bombshell in Hollywood.

On January 14, 1954, Marilyn married baseball superstar Joe DiMaggio.She was
25 he was 37. During their Tokyo honeymoon, Marilyn decided to perform for the
service men stationed in Korea. Her presence caused a near-riot among the troops, and
Joe was very jelous with thousands of men ogling his new bride. Unfortunately,
Marilyn's sexual image and fame became a big problem in their marriage. Nine months
later on October 27, 1954, Marilyn and Joe divorced. But remained close friends.

Marilyn took a break from Hollywood and moved to New York City to study
under Lee Strasberg at his Studio. In 1956, Marilyn decided to start her own company
called, Marilyn Monroe Productions. her company produced the movie Bus Stop and
The Prince and the Showgirl those two films allowed her to show her versatility as an
actress. Marilyn won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy for 1959's Some Like
It Hot,.

On June 29, 1956, Marilyn wed Arthur Miller. While they were married, Arthur
wrote the part of Roslyn Taber in 1961's The Misfits especially for Marilyn.
unfortunately, the marriage between Marilyn and Arthur ended in January 1961, and The
Misfits was Marilyn's last completed film.

Sadly, on the early morning of August 5, 1962, 36-year-old Marilyn died in her
sleep at her Brentwood, California home. The world was stunned. On August 8, 1962,
Marilyn's body was buried at Westwood Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California.

During her career, Marilyn made 30 films and left one film titled Something's
Got to Give, unfinished. She was more than just a movie star or glamour queen. She was
a worldwide superstar in her lifetime, and in death Marilyn went from superstar to icon.
She remains an inspiration to people who want to overcome personal obstacles to
achieve greatness.
 Sources

Marilyn Monroe.com

IMDB. com

Biography.com

Wikipedia.com