Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Marilyn Monroe
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Marilyn Monroe made an impact.
Marilyn Monroe was an iconic American actress and model who rose to fame in the 1950s and early 1960s. Renowned for her portrayal of comedic "blonde bombshell" characters, she became a major sex symbol and a symbol of the era's changing attitudes toward sexuality. As a leading actress for a decade, her films earned $200 million by the time of her death in 1962, solidifying her status as a pop-culture icon.
January 1945: Quit working at factory
In January 1945, Marilyn Monroe quit working at the Radioplane Company and began modeling.
August 1945: Contract with Blue Book Model Agency
In August 1945, defying her deployed husband and his disapproving mother, Marilyn Monroe moved on her own and signed a contract with the Blue Book Model Agency.
June 1946: Contract with Acting Agency
In June 1946, Marilyn Monroe signed a contract with an acting agency through Emmeline Snively.
August 1946: Contract with 20th Century-Fox
In August 1946, Marilyn Monroe's contract with 20th Century-Fox began. She and Lyon selected the stage name "Marilyn Monroe".
1946: Modeling career
By early 1946, Marilyn Monroe had appeared on 33 magazine covers after the agency deemed her figure suitable for pin-up.
February 1947: Contract renewal with Fox
In February 1947, Marilyn Monroe's contract with Fox was renewed, and she was given her first film roles in 'Dangerous Years' and 'Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay!'.
August 1947: Fox contract not renewed
In August 1947, Fox did not renew Marilyn Monroe's contract, and she returned to modeling.
March 1948: Contract with Columbia Pictures
In March 1948, Joseph M. Schenck persuaded Harry Cohn, the head executive of Columbia Pictures, to sign Marilyn Monroe.
September 1948: Contract not renewed
In September 1948, Marilyn Monroe's contract with Columbia was not renewed.
1948: Film Roles
In 1948, Monroe had film roles in Dangerous Years and Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay!.
1949: Nude Photo Shoot
In 1949, Marilyn Monroe had a nude photo shoot and when she was asked what she had on, she replied, "I had the radio on".
1949: Posed for a Nude Calendar
In 1949, Marilyn Monroe posed for a nude calendar. This information was revealed publicly in March 1952.
December 1950: Negotiation of a Seven-Year Contract with 20th Century-Fox
In December 1950, Marilyn Monroe's agent, Hyde, negotiated a seven-year contract for her with 20th Century-Fox. The contract allowed Fox to opt out of renewing it each year. Hyde's death days later left Monroe devastated.
1950: Roles in critically acclaimed works
In 1950, Marilyn Monroe landed small roles in several films, including 'All About Eve' and 'The Asphalt Jungle', which were both critically acclaimed.
1950: Screen tested for Born Yesterday
In 1950, Marilyn Monroe screen-tested for the lead role in Born Yesterday.
1951: Photograph in Look Magazine
In 1951, Marilyn Monroe was featured in a photograph in Look magazine practicing with African-American singing coach Phil Moore.
1951: Longer contract with Fox
In 1951, Monroe signed a longer contract with Fox, becoming a popular actress with roles in several comedies and dramas.
February 1952: Named Best Young Box Office Personality
In February 1952, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association named Marilyn Monroe the "best young box office personality".
March 1952: Public Revelation of Nude Calendar Photos
In March 1952, Marilyn Monroe publicly revealed that she had posed for a nude calendar in 1949. This revelation, strategized with the studio, gained her public sympathy and increased interest in her films.
January 1953: Release of Niagara and Photoplay Awards
In January 1953, Niagara was released and met with both controversy and popularity. Also, Marilyn Monroe won the "Fastest Rising Star" award at the Photoplay Awards, wearing a revealing gold lamé dress that caused a sensation.
December 1953: Featured in First Issue of Playboy
In December 1953, Marilyn Monroe was featured on the cover and as the centerfold in the first issue of Playboy, without her consent.
1953: Hollywood Star
In 1953, Marilyn Monroe became one of the most marketable Hollywood stars. She played leading roles in 'Niagara', 'Gentlemen Prefer Blondes', and 'How to Marry a Millionaire'. Her nude images were used in the first issue of Playboy.
January 1954: Suspension from 20th Century-Fox
In January 1954, Marilyn Monroe was suspended by 20th Century-Fox when she refused to begin shooting another musical comedy, The Girl in Pink Tights, due to dissatisfaction with her contract and roles.
April 1954: Release of River of No Return
In April 1954, Otto Preminger's western River of No Return, the last film Marilyn Monroe had filmed prior to her suspension, was released.
September 1954: Filming of Subway Grate Scene for The Seven Year Itch
In September 1954, Marilyn Monroe filmed the iconic subway grate scene for Billy Wilder's The Seven Year Itch on Lexington Avenue in Manhattan, attracting a large crowd and generating significant publicity.
November 1954: Founded Marilyn Monroe Productions (MMP)
In November 1954, after filming for The Seven Year Itch wrapped up, Marilyn Monroe left Hollywood for the East Coast, where she and photographer Milton Greene founded their own production company, Marilyn Monroe Productions (MMP).
1954: Founded film production company
In 1954, Marilyn Monroe founded her own film production company with Milton Greene.
1954: Suspension from film project
In early 1954, Monroe was briefly suspended for refusing a film project but returned to star in 'The Seven Year Itch'.
January 1955: Legal Battle with Fox Begins
In January 1955, a year-long legal battle began between Marilyn Monroe and Fox, after she asserted that she was no longer under contract as Fox had not fulfilled its duties, such as paying her the promised bonus.
October 1955: Finalization of Divorce and Affair with Arthur Miller
In October 1955, Marilyn Monroe's divorce was finalized. Following this, her relationship with playwright Arthur Miller became increasingly serious. Despite concerns from the studio due to Miller's FBI investigation for alleged communism, Monroe refused to end the relationship, leading the FBI to open a file on her.
1955: Success of 'The Seven Year Itch'
In 1955, Marilyn Monroe starred in 'The Seven Year Itch', one of the biggest box office successes of her career.
1955: Building film company and acting studies
In 1955, Monroe dedicated her time to building her film company and began studying method acting under Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio. Fox awarded her a new contract.
February 23, 1956: Name Change to Marilyn Monroe
On February 23, 1956, she legally changed her name to Marilyn Monroe. The press reacted favorably to her decision to fight the studio. Time called her a "shrewd businesswoman" and Look predicted that the win would be "an example of the individual against the herd for years to come".
August 1956: Release of 'Bus Stop'
In August 1956, 'Bus Stop' was released and achieved both critical and commercial success. Marilyn Monroe's performance was highly praised. She also received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role - Musical or Comedy for her performance.
1956: Critically acclaimed performance in Bus Stop
In 1956, Marilyn Monroe delivered a critically acclaimed performance in 'Bus Stop'.
1956: Filming 'The Prince and the Showgirl'
Throughout 1956, Marilyn Monroe was filming MMP's first independent production, 'The Prince and the Showgirl', at Pinewood Studios in England. Difficulties arose due to conflicts between her and Laurence Olivier. Despite the challenges, filming was completed by the end of 1956.
June 1957: Release of 'The Prince and the Showgirl'
In June 1957, 'The Prince and the Showgirl' was released to mixed reviews and was unpopular with American audiences. In Europe, Marilyn Monroe was awarded the Italian David di Donatello and the French Crystal Star awards and nominated for a BAFTA for her performance.
1957: Independent Production and BAFTA Nomination
In 1957, Monroe released her first independent production, 'The Prince and the Showgirl', for which she received a BAFTA nomination.
July 1958: Filming 'Some Like It Hot'
In July 1958, Marilyn Monroe returned to Hollywood to star in Billy Wilder's comedy, 'Some Like It Hot'. The production was difficult, with Monroe demanding numerous retakes and struggling to remember her lines. There were disagreements with Wilder on how she should play the role.
March 1959: Release of 'Some Like It Hot'
In March 1959, 'Some Like It Hot' was released and became a critical and commercial success. Marilyn Monroe's performance earned her a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Leading Role - Musical or Comedy.
1959: Hiatus after 'Some Like It Hot'
After 'Some Like It Hot', Marilyn Monroe took another hiatus until late 1959.
1959: Golden Globe Award
In 1959, Marilyn Monroe won a Golden Globe for her role in 'Some Like It Hot', a critical and commercial success.
September 1960: Release of 'Let's Make Love'
In September 1960, 'Let's Make Love' was released but was unsuccessful. Critics found Marilyn Monroe appearing "rather untidy" and "lacking the old Monroe dynamism".
November 1960: Filming of 'The Misfits' concludes
Between July and November 1960, Marilyn Monroe filmed 'The Misfits' in the Nevada desert. The filming process was complicated due to personal and health problems. By November 1960, filming for 'The Misfits' concluded.
1961: Starring in 'The Misfits'
In 1961, Marilyn Monroe's last completed film, 'The Misfits', was released. The filming, which took place between July and November 1960, was difficult due to her failing health and struggles with drug addiction.
1961: Last completed film
In 1961, Monroe's last completed film, 'The Misfits', was released.
1962: Return to Public Life and Filming 'Something's Got to Give'
In the spring of 1962, Marilyn Monroe returned to the public eye. She received a "World Film Favorite" at the 19th Golden Globe Awards and began shooting the film 'Something's Got to Give'.
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