Marilyn Monroe

With her platinum-blond hair, curvaceous figure and wide-eyed charm, Marilyn Monroe became a legend in her own time. Born in Los Angeles June 1, 1926, she began her career with a modeling stint that landed her in the public eye, and she soon inked a film contract.

In 1950, Monroe appeared in several small roles that garnered her growing attention, most notably in The Asphalt Jungle and All About Eve. She played her first leading role (as a mentally unhinged baby sitter) in 1952's Don't Bother to Knock. Monroe then showed off her comedic flair in The Seven-Year Itch (1955) and received critical acclaim for her dramatic portrayal in Bus Stop (1956). Her performance in Some Like It Hot netted her a Golden Globe Award in 1960.

Suffering from illness and depression in 1962, the world's most famous sex symbol was found dead in her home on Aug. 5 as the result of a drug overdose.

Filmography