Intro
Marilyn Monroe was and is a loved actress. She once said, “Fear is stupid. So are regrets.” Many people can relate to this including Marilyn. Marilyn Monroe was an American actress, model, and singer in the 1900s. Her heartfelt background, sorrowful struggles, amazing accomplishments, and the long road to success helped her become one of the most well-known actresses of all time.
Marilyn’s Background and Family
Starting in her childhood Marilyn wanted to be a model, and when college started she achieved her dream. Marilyn Monroe was born as Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1st, 1926 in Los Angeles, California. Her mom Gladys Pearl Baker was a film cutter, her father is unknown, and she had no siblings. As she grew up, Marilyn loved reading, modeling, and listening to Beethoven.
When Marilyn’s mom got sick, she put Marilyn into foster care. Her foster family was the Bolenders. Albert and Ida Bolender took good care of Marilyn and wanted to adopt her, but eventually, Marilyn’s mom took her back into her own care. A few years later, Marilyn’s mom had a spasm and was diagnosed as paranoid schizophrenic. Marilyn had to choose between going to an orphan's home or getting married. She was only 16 but she chose to get married.
Marilyn married a good friend and neighbor, James Dougherty. They had two children together, Robert and Berniece, but later divorced. Marilyn died of a drug overdose on August 5, 1962, in Los Angeles, California. Her mother, Gladys, outlived her and died in 1984.
Marilyn’s Struggles and Movies
Marilyn’s work and personal problems, along with the movies she made helped shape her into her natural, sassy self. She married young when put in a pressure situation, married and divorced more than once, and was unhappy when she lived without her mom in a foster family. She also fell to pills, alcohol, and drug dependency.
Marilyn was almost always late to work, was fired, suspended more than once, and was unwilling to cooperate with others. She got threatening phone calls and her absenteeism caused the delay. Plus many movies that she’d been in, at that time, were less than impressive critically and financially.
But even so, her movies were a hit! Some that she starred in include: Some Like it Hot, The Seven Year Itch, The Misfits, Niagara, Bus Stop, How to Marry a Millionaire, and All About Eve. Others were The Fireball, Hometown Story, River of No Return, The Prince and the Showgirl, Love Nest, Monkey Business, and There’s No Business Like Show Business. She was also in King Kennedy and Hollywood: The Fabulous Era.
Accomplishments
Marilyn was nominated for and received many awards, contributed to society, and had some personal accomplishments along the way. She was nominated for the Golden Laurel and the BAFTA award. She also won the Golden Globe Henrietta Award, Golden Globe Best Motion Picture Actress, one other Golden Globe, a Hollywood Star, sang for president JFK on his 45th birthday, and won a David Di Donatello award.
Marilyn made certain things more socially acceptable in this world that otherwise might not have been. She influenced people like Madonna and Christina Aguilera and set the bar for elegance. Marilyn was an early advocate of Civil rights and was a strong women’s rights activist.
Marilyn overcame a severe stutter and had many talents like acting, modeling, and singing. Her films grossed more than 200 million dollars during her career!
Conclusion
Even after Marilyn’s death, she will always be remembered. Through her bumpy beginnings, long list of struggles, and many accomplishments, Marilyn Monroe became one of the most known actresses of all time. Her life shows that fear and regrets may be stupid, but living life the best you can is worth it.
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