Marilyn Monroe, c. 1953 (more) Marilyn Monroe American actress Also known as: Norma Jean Baker, Norma Jeane Baker, Norma Jeane Mortenson(Show More) Written and fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors Last updated May 28, 2026 •History Quick Facts Marilyn Monroe (born June 1, 1926, Los Angeles, California, U.S.—found dead August 5, 1962, Los Angeles) was an American actress who became a major sex symbol, starring in a number of commercially successful films during the 1950s. These included Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) and Some Like It Hot (1959). Behind the scenes, however, Monroe struggled to find happiness, and in 1962 she died from a drug overdose. She later became a pop...

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