Road to Fame.
Norma Jean began her career by modeling. She was discovered by a photographer while at work at the Radio Plane company, in Burbank CA. She signed a contract with the Blue Book Modeling Company, however she was told that they were looking for models with lighter hair, so her brunette hair became a light golden blonde. Soon Marilyn had a successful modeling career and was ready to pursue acting. She signed her first movie contract (with the 20th Century Fox) in 1946-- the same year she divorced her first husband, Jimmy Daugherty. Ben Lyon, a 20th Century Fox executive helped her change her name to Marilyn Monroe. Lyon said he thought was sexy and had "nice flow." He aslo said that double M would be "lucky." In her first few months working for 20th Century Fox, Marilyn had a few very small roles in a variety of films. (Steinem) (Wikipedia)
BREAKTHROUGH
In 1948 Marilyn Monroe was in the musical Ladies of the Chorus and was noted as one of the films "bright spots." That being said, the film was not very successful. She appeared in a few movies in 1950, none of which brought much attention to her career. Also in 1950, Monroe had a small role in the film All About Eve. In 1951, Marilyn enrolled at the University of California, Los Angeles. While studying literature and art appreciation, she had a few minor roles in films such as, Home Town Story, and As Young As You Feel. None of these movie became very popular though. In 1952, she was on the cover of Look magazine. She was seen wearing a Georgia Tech sweatshirt in honor of the women who had recently enrolled there. Not much that Marilyn did leading up to her fame was very successful but she had a bright future ahead of her. (IMDb) (Wikipedia)
Marilyn Monroe 1948 ("Ladies of the Chorus"). 1948. Photograph. N.p
Marilyn Monroe 1948 ("Ladies of the Chorus"). 1948. Photograph. N.p
Diamonds Are A Girls Best Friend
In 1952 Marilyn faced a possible scandal when some of her photographs from a nude photo shoot in 1948 were in a calendar. She decided to just admit that she had done it because she needed money to pay her rent. People felt sympathy for the struggling actress. She then was featured on the cover of Life magazine (for the first time) in April 1952. In 1953, she made a "star-making turn" in the movie Niagara. That same year Marilyn appeared on the first cover of Playboy. Her next big film was Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, where her role required her to dance, sing and act. She was very dedicated to this role and often stayed late to practice her routines after everyone left. She became good friends with her co-star, Jane Russell. The ever famous song "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend," sung by Marilyn herself and came from this movie.
http://bid.profilesinhistory.com/Life-magazine-newsstand-poster-of-Marilyn-Monroe-s-first-Life-cover-1952_i11537144
http://bid.profilesinhistory.com/Life-magazine-newsstand-poster-of-Marilyn-Monroe-s-first-Life-cover-1952_i11537144
Big Roles For Marilyn (IMDb)
1953- Niagara (Rose Loomis)
Gentleman Prefer Blondes (Lorelei Lee)
How to Marry a Millionaire (Pola Debevoise)
1954- There's No Business Like Show Business (Vicky Parker)
1955- The Seven Year Itch (The Girl)
1956- Bus Stop (Cherie)
1957- The Prince and the Show Girl (Elsie)
1959- Some Like It Hot (Sugar Kane Kowalczyk)
1960- Let's Make Love (Amanda Dell)
1961- The Misfits (Roslyn Taber)
1962- Something's Got to Give (short) (Ellen Wagstaff Arden)
Gentleman Prefer Blondes (Lorelei Lee)
How to Marry a Millionaire (Pola Debevoise)
1954- There's No Business Like Show Business (Vicky Parker)
1955- The Seven Year Itch (The Girl)
1956- Bus Stop (Cherie)
1957- The Prince and the Show Girl (Elsie)
1959- Some Like It Hot (Sugar Kane Kowalczyk)
1960- Let's Make Love (Amanda Dell)
1961- The Misfits (Roslyn Taber)
1962- Something's Got to Give (short) (Ellen Wagstaff Arden)