Marilyn Monroe
(1926-1962), ActressSitter in 49 portraits
One of the most iconic figures of the 20th century, Monroe was discovered while modeling and signed contracts with Twentieth Century-Fox and later Columbia Pictures. She had a difficult relationship with the studios and the stereotypical 'dumb blonde' roles which came to define her career and life. Frustrated, she founded Marilyn Monroe Productions in 1954, became devoted to method acting and married Arthur Miller in 1956. Marilyn died from a drug overdose and suspected suicide on August 5, 1962. In her short film career she appeared in some of the most popular films of all time including Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and The Seven Year Itch, creating and managing a public persona which endures today.
More on Marilyn Monroe: The Icons trail: discover the people who shaped the 20th Century
Roy Ward Baker (Roy Horace Baker); Marilyn Monroe on the set of 'Don't Bother to Knock'
by Unknown photographer
modern publicity photograph, 1952
NPG x137339
by George Silk
modern bromide print, January 1953
NPG x137375
by Baron (Sterling Henry Nahum)
modern C-type colour print, 1954
NPG x137338
Marilyn Monroe; Baron (Sterling Henry Nahum)
by Baron (Sterling Henry Nahum)
modern bromide print, 1954
NPG x137374
by Cecil Beaton
vintage bromide print, 22 February 1956
NPG x40267
Vivien Leigh; Laurence Olivier; Marilyn Monroe; Arthur Asher Miller
by Unknown photographer, for Associated Press
bromide press print, 11 October 1956
NPG x135981
Beatrice Dawson; Marilyn Monroe
by Unknown photographer
modern publicity photograph, 1956
NPG x136480
Jeremy Spenser; Marilyn Monroe on the set of 'The Prince and The Showgirl'
probably by James Swarbrick, or by Betty Swarbrick
vintage film still, 1956
NPG x136481
Queen Elizabeth II; Marilyn Monroe; Victor John Mature; Anthony Quayle
by Unknown photographer, for Daily Mirror
modern bromide print, 29 October 1956
NPG x136606
Marilyn Monroe; Laurence Olivier (Press Conference at The Savoy Hotel)
by Larry Burrows
bromide fibre print, 15 July 1956
NPG x137340
Marilyn Monroe (Press Conference at The Savoy Hotel)
by Larry Burrows
bromide fibre print, 15 July 1956
NPG x137341
Outside the gates of Parkside House (waiting for Marilyn Monroe)
by Larry Burrows
bromide fibre print, 1956
NPG x137342
possibly by James and Betty Swarbrick
modern digital print, 1956
NPG x137343
The cast and crew of 'The Prince and The Showgirl'
possibly by James and Betty Swarbrick
modern digital print, 1956
NPG x137344
Marilyn Monroe; Laurence Olivier (Press Conference at The Savoy Hotel)
by Larry Burrows
bromide fibre print, 15 July 1956
NPG x199086
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