Who Was Marilyn Monroe?
Actress Marilyn Monroe was born on June 1, 1926, in Los Angeles, California. During her all-too-brief life, Marilyn Monroe overcame a difficult childhood to become one of the world's biggest and most enduring sex symbols.
During her career, Monroe's films grossed more than $200 million. Monroe died of a drug overdose on August 5, 1962, at only 36 years old.
Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jeane Mortenson.
The year 1946 brought a lot of changes for Monroe. She not only divorced her husband, Jimmy Dougherty, but she also signed her first movie contract.
With the movie contract came a new name and image; she began calling herself "Marilyn Monroe" and dyed her hair blonde, though her acting career didn't really take off until a few years later.
'All About Eve' to 'Gentleman Prefer Blonde