Best movies of 2023 🍿 How he writes From 'Beef' to 'The Bear' Our free games
MOVIES

Marilyn Monroe's Hollywood legacy: See photos of her career, on-screen adaptations

USA TODAY
Marilyn Monroe remains a beacon in Hollywood. The actress and model, whose death at 36 punctuated a legendary career in the 1950s and ' 60s, became known for her roles in " Gentlemen Prefer Blondes " and " How to Marry a Millionaire. " As Netflix re-examines Monroe ' s life and career in the fictionalized biopic " Blonde, " we are revisiting her notable moments in the spotlight, as well as the actresses who have portrayed her on screen through the years. We start with the real Monroe posing for a ballerina sitting by photographer Milton Greene.
Marilyn Monroe remains a beacon in Hollywood. The actress and model, whose death at 36 punctuated a legendary career in the 1950s and '60s, became known for her roles in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" and "How to Marry a Millionaire."

As Netflix re-examines Monroe's life and career in the fictionalized biopic "Blonde," we are revisiting her notable moments in the spotlight, as well as the actresses who have portrayed her on screen through the years. We start with the real Monroe posing for a ballerina sitting by photographer Milton Greene.
Milton Greene
Kelli Garner took on the role of Monroe in the 2015 Lifetime series " The Secret Life of Marilyn. " Here she is mimicking the iconic photo of Monroe standing over a subway grate while filming " The Seven Year Itch. "
Kelli Garner took on the role of Monroe in the 2015 Lifetime series "The Secret Life of Marilyn." Here she is mimicking the iconic photo of Monroe standing over a subway grate while filming "The Seven Year Itch."
Ben Mark Holzberg, Lifetime
Ana de Armas recreated the same image in 2022 Netflix movie " Blonde. "
Ana de Armas recreated the same image in 2022 Netflix movie "Blonde."
Matt Kennedy/NETFLIX
Here is the iconic image itself. Monroe posed over the updraft of a New York subway grate in 1954 for the film " The Seven Year Itch. "
Here is the iconic image itself. Monroe posed over the updraft of a New York subway grate in 1954 for the film "The Seven Year Itch."
Matty Zimmerman/AP
She starred in countless movie titles. Here she is in the 1951 comedy film " Let ' s Make it Legal.
She starred in countless movie titles. Here she is in the 1951 comedy film "Let's Make it Legal.
Twentieth Century Fox
Again in 1953, she starred in the comedy " Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, " which featured her notable performance of " Diamonds are a Girl ' s Best Friend.
Again in 1953, she starred in the comedy "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," which featured her notable performance of "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend.
Courtesy Of Twentieth Century Fox
Michelle Williams also took on the role of Monroe in the 2011 film " My Week with Marilyn. " Of course the platinum blonde hair was a given to embody the actress.
Michelle Williams also took on the role of Monroe in the 2011 film "My Week with Marilyn." Of course the platinum blonde hair was a given to embody the actress. 
Laurence Cendrowicz, The Weinstein Company
In HBO ' s 1996 movie " Norma Jean and Marilyn, " Ashley Judd played Norma Jean (Monroe ' s real name and identity) and Mira Sorvino played her superstar ego, Monroe.
In HBO's 1996 movie "Norma Jean and Marilyn," Ashley Judd played Norma Jean (Monroe's real name and identity) and Mira Sorvino played her superstar ego, Monroe.
MICHAEL CAULFIELD, Associated Press
Marilyn Monroe was iconic for her singing and acting, but one performance put her in history forever. Here she is standing next to Steve Smith, former president John F. Kennedy ' s brother-in-law, on May 19, 1962. This was the same evening she sang " Happy Birthday " to the president at Madison Square Garden, a very famous soundbite in history.
Marilyn Monroe was iconic for her singing and acting, but one performance put her in history forever. Here she is standing next to Steve Smith, former president John F. Kennedy's brother-in-law, on May 19, 1962. This was the same evening she sang "Happy Birthday" to the president at Madison Square Garden, a very famous soundbite in history.
AP
Kim Kardashian never played Monroe on screen, but she did wear her " Happy Birthday " dress to the Met Gala on May 2, 2022.
Kim Kardashian never played Monroe on screen, but she did wear her "Happy Birthday" dress to the Met Gala on May 2, 2022.
Evan Agostini, Evan Agostini/Invision/AP
NBC ' s show " Smash " featured a Monroe moment when actress Katharine McPhee ' s character Karen Cartwright sings a song as the blonde bombshell.
NBC's show "Smash" featured a Monroe moment when actress Katharine McPhee's character Karen Cartwright sings a song as the blonde bombshell.
Craig Blankenhorn, NBC
The real Marilyn Monroe did quite a bit of singing herself, here she is among several women musicians in the 1858 film " Some Like It Hot. "
The real Marilyn Monroe did quite a bit of singing herself, here she is among several women musicians in the 1858 film "Some Like It Hot."
Courtesy Of United Artists
Another starlet who took on Monroe ' s essence was Misty Rowe, who played her in the 1970s film " Goodbye, Norma Jean. "
Another starlet who took on Monroe's essence was Misty Rowe, who played her in the 1970s film "Goodbye, Norma Jean."
Central Press, Getty Images
In addition to the stage and the screen, Monroe was also famous on paper. Playboy Magazine featured her on its inaugural cover in December 1953.
In addition to the stage and the screen, Monroe was also famous on paper. Playboy Magazine featured her on its inaugural cover in December 1953.
Playboy, Playboy
Almost every decade after her death in 1962, there has been a movie based on her life. In 1980, ABC released the TV movie " Marilyn: The Untold Story. " Here is Catherine Hicks embodying the most famous blonde in the world.
Almost every decade after her death in 1962, there has been a movie based on her life. In 1980, ABC released the TV movie "Marilyn: The Untold Story." Here is Catherine Hicks embodying the most famous blonde in the world.
Walt Disney Television Photo Archives, ABC Via Getty Images
Five years later, Theresa Russel applied the actress ' s iconic mole in " Insignificance. " The movie didn ' t identify her as Monroe, only The Actress.
Five years later, Theresa Russel applied the actress's iconic mole in "Insignificance." The movie didn't identify her as Monroe, only The Actress. 
Silver Screen Collection, Getty Images
In the 90s, Melody Anderson took on the role in the TV movie " Marilyn & Bobby: Her Final Affair " to capture the romance between the two in the actress ' s final years. James F. Kelly starred as Bobby Kennedy.
In the 90s, Melody Anderson took on the role in the TV movie "Marilyn & Bobby: Her Final Affair" to capture the romance between the two in the actress's final years. James F. Kelly starred as Bobby Kennedy.
©USA Networks/ Everett Collection
During Monroe ' s life she had several romances and marriages. Her first marriage was to Jim Doughtery, who was a police officer. Her second marriage was to baseball player Joe DiMaggio. In this photo Monroe, dressed in a glamorous evening gown, arrives with DiMaggio at the theater in June 2, 1955. DiMaggio and Monroe were divorced in October 1954, just 274 days after they were married, with the actress citing mental cruelty in the divorce petition.
During Monroe's life she had several romances and marriages. Her first marriage was to Jim Doughtery, who was a police officer. Her second marriage was to baseball player Joe DiMaggio. In this photo Monroe, dressed in a glamorous evening gown, arrives with DiMaggio at the theater in June 2, 1955.

DiMaggio and Monroe were divorced in October 1954, just 274 days after they were married, with the actress citing mental cruelty in the divorce petition.
AP
In Netflix ' s " Blonde, " the film alludes to her marriage with DiMaggio by calling her love interest The Ex-Athlete.
In Netflix's "Blonde," the film alludes to her marriage with DiMaggio by calling her love interest The Ex-Athlete.
2022 © Netflix, 2022 © Netflix
Monroe ' s third husband was writer Arthur Miller who wrote " The Crucible. " In this photo the two are seen at the Comedy Theatre in London in 1956.
Monroe's third husband was writer Arthur Miller who wrote "The Crucible." In this photo the two are seen at the Comedy Theatre in London in 1956.
-, AFP
" Blonde " hints to Monroe ' s romance with Miller in the film by calling him The Playwright.
"Blonde" hints to Monroe's romance with Miller in the film by calling him The Playwright.
2022 © Netflix, 2022 © Netflix
Ana de Armas takes on Monroe in " Blonde. " The fictionalized biopic is based on a novel by Joyce Carol Oates.
Ana de Armas takes on Monroe in "Blonde." The fictionalized biopic is based on a novel by Joyce Carol Oates.
Courtesy Of No Distributor Found
Featured Weekly Ad