Marilyn Manson, born Brian Hugh Warner, is an American rock musician and the frontman of the band Marilyn Manson, which he founded in 1989. Known for his controversial stage persona and blending of shock rock with industrial and alternative metal, Manson's band members, including himself, adopted stage names combining a female sex symbol's first name with a male serial killer's last name. Manson's own name is derived from Marilyn Monroe and Charles Manson, reflecting the band's themes of juxtaposing beauty and darkness.
On January 5, 1969, Brian Hugh Warner, who would later be known as Marilyn Manson, was born. He is an American rock musician and the lead singer of the band Marilyn Manson.
In 1987, Brian Warner graduated from GlenOak High School.
In 1989, Brian Warner and Scott Putesky formed the band Marilyn Manson.
In 1989, Marilyn Manson formed his eponymous band. He is the only constant member of the band.
In 1990, Brian Warner enrolled at Broward Community College in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to pursue a degree in journalism.
In 1990, Marilyn Manson recorded the band's first demo tape as Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids.
In early 1991, Marilyn Manson signed a record deal with Sony Music, though the deal was later rescinded.
In 1992, the band's name was shortened to Marilyn Manson.
In the early 1990s, starting in 1992, Marilyn Manson produced many of Jack Off Jill's demo recordings.
Around 1993, Marilyn Manson's father began referring to him as "Manson" out of respect for the artist.
In the summer of 1993, Marilyn Manson signed with Trent Reznor's vanity label, Nothing Records.
In July 1994, the band released their debut studio album, "Portrait of an American Family".
In 1994, Marilyn Manson registered the trademark for his name, protecting entertainment services, merchandising and branding.
In 1994, the band Marilyn Manson released the album "Portrait of an American Family".
On May 30, 1996, Empower America held a press conference with William Bennett, Joseph Lieberman, and C. Delores Tucker to criticize the record industry for selling "prepackaged, shrink-wrapped nihilism." Marilyn Manson was referenced, with Smells Like Children called the "dirtiest, nastiest porno record directed at children that has ever hit the market".
In September 1996, former bassist Gidget Gein negotiated a settlement with Manson where he would receive US$17,500 and 20 percent of any royalties paid for recordings and for any songs he had a hand in writing. The settlement was not honored.
In December 1996, Empower America criticized MCA president Edgar Bronfman Jr. for profiting from "profanity-laced" albums by Marilyn Manson, Tupac Shakur, and Snoop Dogg. Manson's live performances also came under fire.
In 1996, Marilyn Manson released "Antichrist Superstar" and received their first nomination for Best Rock Video at the MTV Video Music Awards.
In 1996, the band Marilyn Manson released the album "Antichrist Superstar", which sparked controversy.
In the early 1990s, ending in 1996, Marilyn Manson produced many of Jack Off Jill's demo recordings.
In the spring of 1996, former guitarist Scott Putesky (a.k.a. Daisy Berkowitz) departed from the group.
In November 1997, Marilyn Manson's lyrical content was examined during congressional hearings led by Lieberman and Sam Brownback, attempting to determine the effects of violent lyrics on young listeners. Raymond Kuntz blamed his son's suicide on Antichrist Superstar, and Lieberman called the band the "sickest group ever promoted by a mainstream record company".
In 1997, Marilyn Manson made his film debut as an actor in David Lynch's "Lost Highway".
In 1997, Marilyn Manson performed at the MTV Video Music Awards and received three nominations for "The Beautiful People".
In 1997, Rasputina opened for Marilyn Manson during the "Dead to the World Tour". Marilyn Manson befriended Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins and performed with them at the Bridge School Benefit concert. Corgan also gave Manson advice during the recording of Mechanical Animals in 1997.
In January 1998, former guitarist Scott Putesky (Daisy Berkowitz) filed a $15 million lawsuit against Marilyn Manson, the band, and their attorney, claiming unpaid royalties and alleging attorney malpractice. The suit was settled out of court later that year.
On November 30, 1998, SPIN editor Craig Marks filed a $24-million lawsuit against Marilyn Manson and his bodyguards, after the band accumulated "[a] total [of] more than $25,000" in backstage and hotel room damages.
In 1998, Marilyn Manson embarked on the "Beautiful Monsters Tour" with Hole to promote Mechanical Animals. The tour was plagued with conflict and was eventually renamed the "Rock Is Dead Tour" after Hole's departure.
In 1998, Marilyn Manson released "Mechanical Animals" and adopted a glam rock persona inspired by David Bowie.
In 1998, Marilyn Manson was featured on "The Omen (Damien II)" on DMX's album Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood.
In 1998, a live version of "Apple of Sodom", featuring Melora Creager, was released as a b-side on Marilyn Manson's single "The Dope Show".
The Celebritarian Corporation art movement, in some form, started in 1998.
In February 1999, Marilyn Manson became engaged to actress Rose McGowan.
On February 19, 1999, Marilyn Manson counter-sued SPIN editor Craig Marks for libel, slander, and defamation, seeking US$40 million in damages.
On April 20, 1999, the Columbine High School massacre occurred, leading to immediate media criticism of Goth subculture and allegations that the perpetrators were influenced by Marilyn Manson's music, though it was later found they had "nothing but contempt" for Manson. Sensationalist headlines and accusations further fueled the controversy.
In 1999, Marilyn Manson appeared in the film Jawbreaker, which starred his then-girlfriend Rose McGowan.
In 1999, Marilyn Manson registered the trademark for his name, protecting entertainment services, merchandising and branding.
In 1999, a congressional hearing was held to discuss violence in entertainment, with figures like William Bennet and others criticizing Marilyn Manson and his music as contributing to a cultural environment enabling violence, such as the Columbine shootings.
Marilyn Manson started his career as a watercolor painter in 1999, creating five-minute concept pieces and selling them to drug dealers.
On October 27, 2000, David Diaz, a security officer, sued Marilyn Manson for US$75,000 in a Minneapolis federal court, alleging civil battery from a concert in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The jury found in Manson's favor.
In 2000, Manson launched his own vanity label, Posthuman Records, which released the soundtrack to Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 in 2000.
In 2000, Marilyn Manson was implicated in the murder of an elderly nun in Italy, with her murderers' diaries referencing him. Soon after, he was arrested following a concert in Rome for allegedly "tearing off his genitals".
In 2000, the band released the album "Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death)" in response to media blaming Manson for the Columbine High School massacre.
In 2000, the lyrical content of Marilyn Manson's album 'Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death)' was largely inspired by the Columbine massacre, serving as a rebuttal to accusations leveled against him by mainstream media.
In January 2001, Rose McGowan ended her engagement to Marilyn Manson, citing "lifestyle differences".
On July 30, 2001, Marilyn Manson was charged with sexual misconduct against a security officer, Joshua Keasler, during a concert in Clarkston, Michigan. He pleaded no contest to reduced charges and paid a fine.
In 2001, Marilyn Manson and burlesque dancer Dita Von Teese became a couple.
In 2001, Posthuman Records released Godhead's album 2000 Years of Human Error, which featured Marilyn Manson on vocals for the track "Break You Down".
On April 3, 2002, Maria St. John filed a lawsuit against Marilyn Manson in Los Angeles Superior Court, accusing him of providing her daughter, Jennifer Syme, with cocaine and instructing her to drive under the influence, leading to her fatal car crash.
In 2002, Marilyn Manson appeared in Eminem's "The Way I Am" music video and joined him on stage for live performances. A remix of the song featuring Manson was also released on special editions of The Marshall Mathers LP.
In 2002, Marilyn Manson collaborated with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, inviting a 16-year-old fan with a life-threatening illness to record backing vocals for their upcoming album.
In 2002, Marilyn Manson discussed the Columbine massacre and its aftermath in Michael Moore's documentary 'Bowling for Columbine'.
In 2002, Marilyn Manson performed vocals on "Redeemer" for the Queen of the Damned soundtrack. He also contributed a remix to Linkin Park's Reanimation and collaborated on the score for the film Resident Evil.
In 2002, Marilyn Manson's cover of "Tainted Love" became an international hit, reaching number one in several territories.
In 2002, Marilyn Manson's first art show, "The Golden Age of Grotesque", was held at the Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions center.
On September 13–14, 2002, Marilyn Manson's first art show, The Golden Age of Grotesque, was held at the Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions Centre.
On June 30, 2003, Jodi Jones was murdered in Scotland, and later her boyfriend Luke Mitchell was convicted. During the trial, Marilyn Manson's film and paintings were presented as evidence, with the judge believing Mitchell was influenced by Manson's artwork.
In 2003, French media blamed Marilyn Manson when several teenagers vandalized the graves of British war heroes in Arras, France.
In 2003, Marilyn Manson's likeness was featured on the Celebrity Deathmatch video game, and he recorded a song for its soundtrack.
In 2003, Marilyn Manson's vanity label Posthuman Records was dissolved.
On March 22, 2004, Marilyn Manson proposed to Dita Von Teese.
In 2004, Marilyn Manson appeared in Asia Argento's film The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things.
In 2004, Marilyn Manson began working on his directorial debut, Phantasmagoria: The Visions of Lewis Carroll, in which he was also set to portray Lewis Carroll.
In 2004, Marilyn Manson released the greatest hits compilation "Lest We Forget: The Best Of".
On September 14–15, 2004, Marilyn Manson held a second art exhibition in Paris and Berlin, named 'Trismegistus'.
In July 2005, Marilyn Manson told Rolling Stone that he was shifting his focus from music to filmmaking, expressing dissatisfaction with the music industry.
In 2005, Manson said that the Celebritarian Corporation has been incubating for seven years.
On December 30, 2006, Dita Von Teese filed for divorce from Marilyn Manson, citing "irreconcilable differences."
In 2006, Marilyn Manson wrote the liner notes for Jack Off Jill's compilation album Humid Teenage Mediocrity 1992–1996.
From June 28 – July 28, 2007, Marilyn Manson's works were publicly exhibited at Germany's Gallery Brigitte Schenk in Cologne.
On August 2, 2007, former band member Stephen Bier (Madonna Wayne Gacy) filed a lawsuit against Marilyn Manson, seeking $20 million in unpaid "partnership proceeds".
In December 2007, Marilyn Manson countersued Stephen Bier, claiming that Bier failed to fulfill his duties as a band member.
On December 27, 2007, the divorce between Marilyn Manson and Dita Von Teese was finalized in Los Angeles Superior Court.
In 2007, Marilyn Manson returned with the album "Eat Me, Drink Me", which was influenced by the dissolution of his marriage and his affair with Evan Rachel Wood.
In 2007, Marilyn Manson's relationship with actress Evan Rachel Wood was made public. They had an on-again, off-again relationship for several years.
In 2007, Phantasmagoria was slated to have a conventional cinema release after initial plans for a web-only release.
As of 2008, "The Golden Age of Grotesque", released in 2003, sold 527,000 copies in the United States.
In 2008, Marilyn Manson performed vocals on the Chew Fu GhettoHouse Fix remix of Lady Gaga's "LoveGame".
In 2008, Marilyn Manson's absinthe brand, "Mansinthe", won a gold medal at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition.
On May 18, 2009, Justin Doucet shot himself at Larose-Cut Off Middle School in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana, after demanding a teacher say "Hail Marilyn Manson".
On December 28, 2009, the lawsuit between Stephen Bier and Marilyn Manson was settled, with Bier's attorneys being paid $380,000.
In 2009, Marilyn Manson released "The High End of Low", their final album issued by Interscope.
In January 2010, Marilyn Manson proposed to Evan Rachel Wood during a Paris stage performance. However, the couple broke off the engagement later that year.
On April 25, 2010, the opening of Marilyn Manson's "Hell, etc." art exhibition in Athens, Greece, was postponed due to a volcanic ash cloud. It was rescheduled to open on April 28, 2010.
On April 28, 2010, Marilyn Manson's third art exhibition, "Hell, etc.," opened in Athens, Greece, after being postponed from April 25th due to a volcanic ash cloud. The exhibition showcased Manson's recent artworks and new pieces, running until May 2, 2010.
On May 2, 2010, Marilyn Manson's third art exhibition, "Hell, etc.," closed in Athens, Greece. The exhibition displayed Manson's more recent artworks and newly revealed pieces at the time.
According to a 2010 interview with cowriter Anthony Silva about the hold, the film was still on and the talk of it being shut down was just a myth.
In 2010, A remix of Marilyn Manson's song "Tainted Love" appears in the debut trailer for the video game, Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit.
In 2010, Marilyn Manson revealed a series of 20 paintings in the Genealogies of Pain exhibition at Vienna's Kunsthalle gallery, collaborating with David Lynch.
In 2010, studio bosses shut down production on Phantasmagoria, reportedly due to negative responses to violent content. The film was later put on indefinite hold.
As of 2011, Marilyn Manson had sold 8.7 million albums in the United States alone.
In 2011, Marilyn Manson recorded vocals on "Can't Haunt Me" for Skylar Grey's unreleased album Invinsible.
In 2011, Marilyn Manson signed a recording contract with British independent record label Cooking Vinyl.
In March 2012, Lindsay Usich was referred to as Marilyn Manson's girlfriend in Revolver magazine. The article referenced a painting of her by Manson.
In 2012, Marilyn Manson released "Born Villain" under Cooking Vinyl, and "No Reflection" earned a Grammy nomination.
In 2012, a remix of Marilyn Manson's song "Tainted Love" appeared in the launch trailer of the video game Twisted Metal.
In June 2013, Manson stated that he had "resurrected" the Phantasmagoria project, and that Roger Avary would direct it.
In 2013, Marilyn Manson appeared in Showtime's comedy-drama TV series Californication, portraying himself.
In 2013, Marilyn Manson contributed to Oxfam's "Rumble in the Jumble" event, which raised money to aid victims of domestic and sexual abuse in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In 2013, Marilyn Manson was featured on the song "Bad Girl" from Avril Lavigne's self-titled album.
In 2013, Marilyn Manson was featured on the song "Pussy Wet" on Gucci Mane's mixtape Diary of a Trap God.
In 2013, during an interview with Larry King, Marilyn Manson stated that he trademarked the name "Marilyn Manson."
In 2014, Brian Warner's mother, Barbara J. Wyer, passed away.
In 2014, Marilyn Manson featured on the song "Hypothetical" from Emigrate's album Silent So Long.
In February 2015, Marilyn Manson told Beat magazine that he is "newly single".
On April 4, 2015, Marilyn Manson commented in a Reddit AMA with Billy Corgan that he had withdrawn from the project because the writing process for the film was "so... damaging to my psyche".
In 2015, Marilyn Manson and the Smashing Pumpkins embarked on a co-headlining tour titled "The End Times Tour".
In 2015, Marilyn Manson performed "The Beautiful People" alongside the Soul Rebels at the Japanese Summer Sonic Festival.
In 2015, Marilyn Manson released "The Pale Emperor" through Loma Vista Recordings, marking a return to form.
In 2015, Marilyn Manson stated he was no longer drinking absinthe.
In 2015, during an interview at the Cannes Lions Festival, Marilyn Manson stated that he trademarked the name "Marilyn Manson."
In January 2016, it was announced that Marilyn Manson would be joining the cast for season 3 of WGN's Salem, playing Thomas Dinley.
In 2016, Marilyn Manson recorded vocals on a cover of David Bowie's "Cat People (Putting Out Fire)" for Shooter Jennings's album Countach (For Giorgio).
As of 2017, the album "Mechanical Animals", released in 1998, sold 1.4 million copies in the United States.
In 2017, Brian Warner's father, Hugh Angus Warner, passed away.
In 2017, Charles Manson, the cult leader whose name is juxtaposed with Marilyn Monroe to form Marilyn Manson's stage name, died while serving a life sentence for murder and conspiracy.
In 2017, Marilyn Manson released "Heaven Upside Down", and Manson was injured by falling stage props during a performance.
In 2018, actor Charlyne Yi accused Marilyn Manson of harassing them and other women on the set of the series House.
On August 19, 2019, an incident occurred during a Marilyn Manson concert in New Hampshire where he allegedly blew his nose on a videographer.
In 2019, Marilyn Manson performed alongside Cyndi Lauper at her annual 'Home for the Holidays' benefit concert, with proceeds going to Lauper's True Colors United, which supports LGBTQ youth experiencing homelessness.
In 2019, Marilyn Manson released "God's Gonna Cut You Down", their highest-peaking single on Billboard's Hot Rock Songs and Rock Digital Songs.
In September 2020, several of Marilyn Manson's former acquaintances began communicating with one another.
In October 2020, Marilyn Manson revealed in an interview with Nicolas Cage that he was married in a private ceremony during the COVID-19 pandemic. His wife was later revealed to be Lindsay Usich.
In 2020, Marilyn Manson provided vocals on the song "Marilyn Manson" on ASAP Ferg's mixtape Floor Seats II.
In 2020, Marilyn Manson released "We Are Chaos", which became the band's tenth top ten release on the Billboard 200.
In 2020, Shooter Jennings produced Marilyn Manson's album We Are Chaos.
On January 21, 2021, California State Senator Susan Rubio wrote to the FBI and U.S. Attorney General, requesting an investigation into allegations against Marilyn Manson.
In 2021, Evan Rachel Wood accused Marilyn Manson of psychological and sexual abuse, leading to further accusations and lawsuits.
In 2021, Marilyn Manson co-wrote and was featured on "Jail pt 2" from Kanye West's album Donda. He also appeared at promotional events and was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rap Album.
In 2021, Marilyn Manson earned a Grammy nomination for his work on Kanye West's "Donda".
In September 2022, the LACSD presented the findings of their investigation of the sexual assault allegations against Marilyn Manson to California district attorney George Gascón, who requested more evidence.
In January 2023, Esmé Bianco and Marilyn Manson reached an out-of-court settlement with undisclosed terms of agreement regarding her lawsuit.
In January 2023, another plaintiff identified as Jane Doe filed a lawsuit against Marilyn Manson, alleging grooming and sexual assault in the 1990s.
In February 2023, Ashley Morgan Smithline recanted her allegations against Marilyn Manson in legal documents, claiming she was manipulated by Evan Rachel Wood and her associates.
In September 2023, Marilyn Manson plead nolo contendere to a misdemeanor count of simple assault for the 2019 incident. He received a sentence of community service and a fine.
In September 2023, Marilyn Manson settled the first Jane Doe lawsuit. The settlement was reached the week before the case was scheduled to go to trial.
In December 2023, Ashley Walters's lawsuit against Marilyn Manson, which had been previously dismissed, was reinstated following an appeal to the California Courts of Appeal.
In March 2024, Marilyn Manson announced a North American tour with Five Finger Death Punch.
In July 2024, substantive portions of the Jane Doe lawsuit were dismissed as the claims fell outside the remit of New York's Adult Survivors Act.
On October 10, 2024, district attorney George Gascón announced he was considering new evidence in the sexual assault allegations case against Marilyn Manson.
In November 2024, Marilyn Manson discontinued his lawsuit against Evan Rachel Wood and Ashley "Illma" Gore, agreeing to pay Wood's legal fees.
In January 2025, the LACSD concluded their 4-year criminal investigation, and district attorney Nathan Hochman announced that charges would not be filed against Marilyn Manson for domestic violence or sexual abuse due to lack of sufficient evidence and statute of limitations.
In 2025, Marilyn Manson will perform their own headline shows in Europe.
In 2025, a four-year criminal investigation by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department concluded with no charges filed against Marilyn Manson due to lack of evidence regarding abuse allegations.