Today is what would have been the iconic Marilyn Monroe’s 100th birthday. The actress and model was born on June 1, 1926, at Los Angeles General Hospital in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.
Sadly, Monroe â whose real name was Norma Jeane Mortenson â passed away on August 4, 1962, at the tragically young age of 36.
Monroe is one of the biggest movie stars of all time. She is still instantly recognizable today by people of all generations. In 2022, Andrew Dominik’s psychological horror drama movie, “Blonde,” depicted a fictionalized account of her life and career. The beautiful Ana de Armas played Monroe in the film’s lead role.
Monroe’s career saw her star in many memorable movies playing some truly brilliant characters. On the day she would have become a centenarian, let’s remind ourselves of her five most iconic roles.
Sugar “Kane” Kowalczyk (Some Like It Hot)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Monroe in “Some Like It Hot.”
Monroe played Sugar “Kane” Kowalczyk in the 1959 crime comedy movie “Some Like It Hot.” Kane is a sweet and slightly naive singer in an all-female band. Monroe’s performance is one of the best comedic performances in movie history.
Per IMDb, “Some Like It Hot’s” plot is as follows: “After two male musicians witness a mob hit, they flee the state in an all-female band disguised as women, but further complications set in.”
Lorelei Lee (Gentleman Prefer Blondes)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Monroe in “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.”
Monroe played Lorelei Lee in the 1953 musical comedy film “Gentleman Prefer Blondes.” Lee is a showgirl and the ultimate gold-digging blonde. Wearing an iconic pink dress, Monroe’s rendition of “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” in the film is among the most referenced scenes ever recorded.
Per IMDb, the plot of “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” is this: “Showgirls Lorelei Lee and Dorothy Shaw travel to Paris, pursued by a private detective hired by the suspicious father of Lorelei’s fiancé, as well as a rich, enamored old man and many other doting admirers.”
The Girl (The Seven Year Itch)
Above is a social media post (from the official Marilyn Monroe Instagram account) with a picture of Monroe in “The Seven Year Itch.”
Monroe played the character known only as “The Girl” in the 1955 rom-com “The Seven Year Itch.” The Girl is the charming, flirtatious, and seductive neighbor of Tom Ewell’s Richard Sherman. This movie features the famous subway grate scene where Monroe’s white dress blows up.
Per IMDb, the plot of “The Seven Year Itch” is as follows: “When his family goes away for summer vacation, a hitherto faithful husband with an overactive imagination is tempted by a sexy new neighbor.”
Rose Loomis (Niagara)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Monroe (from the official Marilyn Monroe Instagram account) in “Niagara.”
Monroe played Rose Loomis in the 1953 noir thriller “Niagara.” Loomis is a seductive and scheming femme fatale who is plotting to murder her husband. This performance was considered Monroe’s breakthrough into global stardom and the one that established her as a leading lady beyond light comedy.
Per IMDb, the plot of “Niagara” is this: “As two couples are visiting Niagara Falls, tensions between one wife and her husband reach the level of murder.”
Chérie (Bus Stop)
Above is a social media post with a picture of Monroe in “Bus Stop.”
Monroe played Chérie in the 1956 romantic comedy-drama “Bus Stop.” Chérie is an ambitious female club singer with aspirations of becoming a Hollywood star. One of her finest acting showpieces, Monroe’s performance showed greater depth than previous roles and earned her a Golden Globe nomination.
Per IMDb, “Bus Stop’s” plot is this: “A naive but stubborn cowboy falls in love with a saloon singer and tries to take her away against her will to get married and live on his ranch in Montana.”
There are undoubtedly some notable honorable mentions among Monroe’s other performances. Her roles as Pola Debevoise in 1953’s “How to Marry a Millionaire” and Roslyn Taber in 1961’s “The Misfits” are highly notable, for instance. However, the above five are almost certainly her most iconic.
We’d like to wish the dearly departed Marilyn Monroe a happy heavenly 100th birthday. May she rest in eternal peace.
Marilyn Monroe’s filmography info was courtesy of IMDb.
The post Hollywood Legend Marilyn Monroe’s 100th Birthday — Remembering the Blonde Bombshell’s Most Iconic Roles appeared first on EntertainmentNow.