Marilyn Monroe

The Blonde Bombshell Marilyn Monroe with her dynamic sex appeal lived a whirlwind life filled with luxurious benefits in order to become one of the most bankable entertainers due to her remarkable comedic skills and untouchable screen presence. She personified Hollywood glamour with an unparalleled glow and energy that enamored the world. Although she was an “ alluring beauty ” (Marilyn Monroe ’ s Official Website), Ms. Monroe was overwhelmed with an unimaginable amount of inner vulnerability which in turn led to her untimely death. With her “ innate sensuality ” (Marilyn Monroe ’ s Official Website) Marilyn Monroe progressively became one of the 20 th Centuries most dominate leading ladies all in the short amount of time that she lived. Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jean Mortenson On June 1, 1926 in a highly suitable place of Los Angeles California to Gladys Baker. Not knowing the identity of her father, she was christened the name of Norma Jean Baker taking her mother ’ s marriage name. Although her father was undetermined many critics and biographers believe that Charles Stanley Gifford, a salesman for the studio where Monroe's mother worked as a fill- cutter was the biological parent. The reason for her birth name though was derived from the actual alleged father named Norwegian Martin Edward Mortenson who was listed as the father on the birth certificate. Confusion in Monroe ’ s adolescent life started when her mother was unable to take care of her so she was placed in the hands of foster parents Ida and Albert Bolender. Marilyn believed these two individuals to be her parents until Ida rather rudely corrected her one day implying that she would not be the mother of an unworthy child. People ’ s resistance to her emotions dealing with family life left Monroe emotionally inept allowing her the right to say, “ part of me is afraid to get close to people because I'm afraid that they're going to leave. ” (World Book pg. 617) Before her acting days, Monroe settled in on a more rigorous yet humble job working in a factory spraying airplane parts with fire retardant and inspecting parachutes. A man by the name of David Conover scouted local factories and instantly caught wind of the beauty displayed by Marilyn gathering that she would have great potential as a model. She was soon after signed by the Blue Book modeling agency, and became one of there most successful models appearing on dozens of magazine covers. Following her instant rise in the modeling society, a man by the name of Ben Lyon arranged a screen test for her with 20 th Century Fox where she easily passed. Lyon suggested the name Marilyn after Marilyn Miller, and Norma proposed the last name Monroe, which was her mother ’ s maiden name to be her new catchy pseudo-name. After a shaky start with low pay, Monroe advanced into her stardom with roles in movies such as Niagra, Gentlemen ’ s Prefer Blondes, and The Misfits.