Marilyn Monroe was undoubtedly one of the most famous actresses from the 1950s. She was born as Norma Jeane Mortenson but later baptized as Norma Jeane Baker.

Norma Jeanes childhood was everything but idealistic, her mother was mentally ill therefore she spent a great deal of time as a child in foster homes and orphanages.

Norma Jeane caught her first modeling break in 1946 when it was suggested by a photographer that she apply to The Blue Book Modeling Agency.

Norma Jeans career didnt come easy to her, as there were changes she needed to make in her life to make it happen. Some of the most notable at that time were dying her brunette hair to blonde and divorcing her husband who was unsupportive of her career.

She went on to have a very successful modeling career and would eventually become one of Blue Books most successful models. As a result of her success she was discovered by Ben Lyon from 20th Century Fox. After impressing company executives during a screen test Norma Jeane was offered a six month contract. The only catch was Norma Jeane needed a stage name, and with that Marilyn Monroe was born.

During her time with 20th Century Fox Marilyn Monroe appeared in two movies. When her contract was nearing the end she was not asked to re-sign. She then returned to her modeling roots occasionally posing for nude photographs. She continued to look for work in the film industry during this period.

Her career continued to have its ups and downs until 1949 when she got her big break in the movie Love Happy. It was this role that led Marilyn Monroe to be discovered by a Hollywood agent named Johnny Hyde. After getting her many successful auditions that led to many equally successful roles in notable films, he was able to negotiate a seven year contract with 20th Century Fox.

Marilyn Monroes career flourished from this point forward not only in film but in magazines as well. She starred in many movies throughout the course of her career and was even on the cover of the first ever Playboy magazine in 1953. She became known for her beauty and in her early days she was often type casted into stereotypical Dumb blonde roles.

She became increasingly unsatisfied with the direction that her career was going, as it became near impossible for her to be cast in a role that did not portray her as somewhat of a sex symbol. For a brief stint in 1955 she decided to leave Hollywood in order to take formal acting lessons, and eventually returned to making films while continuing her studies.

She was now landing roles in acclaimed films such as The Seven Year Itch and Bus Stop, even being nominated and winning a Golden Globe. All of this success gave her the control that she had yearned for earlier in her career and she continued to star in many versatile roles.

On August 5th 1962 Marilyn Monroe was found dead in her Los Angeles home at the young age of 36. Many rumours surrounded the circumstances of her death but the autopsy confirmed that her death was a result of a drug overdose. Despite this tragedy Marilyn Monroe will always be remembered for her beauty, courage, and most importantly her gift to the film industry and Hollywood alike.