The Hollywood Museum will host a centennial celebration honoring Marilyn Monroe tonight featuring a re-dedication of the museum’s “Blondes Only Room” exhibit and appearances by actors, authors and entertainment personalities connected to the Hollywood icon.
The event, “A Centennial Celebration: From Norma Jean to Marilyn Monroe,” is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at The Hollywood Museum in the historic Max Factor Building on Highland Avenue.
The exhibit will open to the public Wednesday.
“We are thrilled to celebrate this milestone of one of Hollywood’s iconic film stars — actually, one of the world’s most iconic film stars — to ever grace the screen, Marilyn Monroe,” museum founder Donelle Dadigan said in a statement.
According to organizers, the exhibit includes Monroe’s clothing, jewelry, makeup chair, personal items, prescription bottles and the honeymoon dress worn during her marriage to baseball legend Joe DiMaggio.
Scheduled speakers include actress Morgan Fairchild, Academy Award winner George Chakiris and actress Ruta Lee, while guests are expected to include Blac Chyna, Dee Wallace and Michele Lee.
The museum also announced a special exhibit of photographs by late celebrity photographer George Barris, including previously unseen images from Monroe’s final photo sessions in 1962, weeks before her death.
Born in Los Angeles in 1926, Monroe — born Norma Jeane Mortenson —spent much of her childhood in foster homes and an orphanage while her mother struggled with mental illness.
After beginning her career as a model, she signed a contract with Twentieth Century-Fox and adopted the name Marilyn Monroe, eventually becoming one of Hollywood’s biggest stars through films including “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” “How to Marry a Millionaire” and “There’s No Business Like Show Business.”
Her charisma, glamour and screen presence made her one of the defining cultural icons of the 20th Century.