Marilyn Monroe's Most Iconic Roles
A legend from the Golden Age of Hollywood, L'OFFICIEL looks back at Marilyn Monroe's most iconic roles from All About Eve to The Misfits.
The name Marilyn Monroe immediately summons a historical account of one of the most legendary and multi-hyphenated artists ever, a name that remains a major icon in pop culture. She was one of the world’s most idolized figures, a Hollywood sex symbol, and is now the subject of the new Netflix film Blonde, starring Ana de Armas.
Born Norma Jeane Mortenson, the young Monroe began a modeling career while she was working at a factory during World War II, where she met a photographer that will eventually introduce her to the film industry. After a series of minor roles, the actress rapidly gained recognition for playing comedic “blonde bombshell” characters. Blonde recounts Monroe's rise to stardom through breakout roles like Don't Bother to Knock and Gentleman Prefer Blondes, as well as her highly publicized relationships with Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller.
As audiences everywhere tune in to see de Armas' portrayal of the late actress, L’OFFICIEL looks back on some of Monroe’s most iconic roles.
Though Marilyn Monroe had a small role, it is one of the most memorable ones of the actress. All About Eve is a 1950s drama film that follows Margo Channing, a Broadway star who loses roles due to aging, where producers and directors fear that Channing may be too old and thus lose audiences. Monroe plays the role of Claudia Casswell, a young actress who relies more on her looks than her skills to get ahead.
It's the film that has inspired women for generations. Monroe's role in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes—particularly her performance of "Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend"—is widely regarded as one of her most iconic. From Madonna to Beyoncé, performers continue to pay homage to the movie almost 70 years later.
How to Marry a Millionaire is a 1953 comedy film that tells the story of three young, beautiful women who take it upon themselves to meet rich, eligible bachelors. Monroe plays Pola Debevoise, a dazzling beauty who gets duped by a fake oil tycoon.
Released in 1955, The Seven Year Itch tells the story of a family that traveled for the summer. Richard Sherman sees a girl that just moved in to his apartment. He falls in love with her, but there is one problem, he is married. Sherman is then found with the temptation to pursue the girl and battle with his own ethics. The Girl is the name of the character Monroe plays, a model and commercial actrees who rents the apartment above Sherman's.
The Prince and the Showgirl follows the Charles, a foreign prince regent, as he visits London to attend the coronation of King George V. While attending a musical, he encounters Elsie (Monroe) who shakes up his political visit to the British capital.
Some Like it Hot received six Academy Award nominations and is considered one of the greatest films of all time. This 1959 romantic comedy film follows the life of Joe and Jerry, two musicians who, after witnessing a crime, escape from the mafia by transforming themselves into women. Monroe plays Sugar “Kane” Kowalczyk, a ukulele player and singer who befriends Joe and Jerry and joins their band.
Let’s Make Love is a musical comedy released in 1960 that follows the story of billionaire Jean-Marc Clément. Rich in money, but poor in love, Clément seeks that significant other that will adore him for his personality and not for his wealth. He learns that his acting has been the subject of satire in theatrical productions. Monroe plays the character of Amanda Dell, a singer who finds herself to be Clément's competition.
The last project Monroe worked on before her death in 1962 was The Misfits, an American Western film that tells the story of the newly divorced Roslyn Tabor (Monroe). Written by Arthur Miller, who, at the time, was married to Monroe, the pair's marriage disintegrated during the film’s production. It is said that the film reflected much of the actress' life and marriage.
