Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jeane Mortenson and began her career as a model which led to a film contract in 1946 with 20th Century Fox. Her successful modeling career brought her to attention of a Fox executive who arranged a screen test. She went on to star in several popular films in the early 1950s which helped develop her film potential and audiences started to like her for herself. However, she died young at age 36 from an overdose of barbiturates which was ruled a probable suicide. Even though she died young, she accomplished a lot in her career and remained a very famous person.

1. Marilyn MonroeMarilyn Monroe
Leticia RojasLeticia Rojas
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2. Marilyn MonroeMarilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe was bornMarilyn Monroe was born Norma JeaneNorma Jeane
MortensonMortenson, but baptized, but baptized Norma JeaneNorma Jeane
BakerBaker, was an American actress, singer, was an American actress, singer
and model. After spending much of herand model. After spending much of her
childhood in foster homes, Monroe beganchildhood in foster homes, Monroe began
a career as a model, which led to aa career as a model, which led to a
film contract in 1946.film contract in 1946.

3. 20 Century Fox Contract20 Century Fox Contract
Her successful modeling career broughtHer successful modeling career brought
her to the attention of Ben Lyon, a 20thher to the attention of Ben Lyon, a 20th
Century Fox executive, who arrangedCentury Fox executive, who arranged
a screen test for her. Lyon was impresseda screen test for her. Lyon was impressed
and commented, "It's Jean Harlow all overand commented, "It's Jean Harlow all over
again." She was offered aagain." She was offered a
standard six-month contractstandard six-month contract
with a starting salary of $125with a starting salary of $125
per week.per week.

4. Career DevelopmentCareer Development
In March 1952, Monroe faced a possibleIn March 1952, Monroe faced a possible
scandal when one of her nude photosscandal when one of her nude photos
from a 1949 session withfrom a 1949 session with
photographer Tom Kelley was featured inphotographer Tom Kelley was featured in
a calendar. The press speculated abouta calendar. The press speculated about
the identity of the anonymousthe identity of the anonymous
model and commented thatmodel and commented that
she closely resembled Monroe.she closely resembled Monroe.

5. Film SuccessFilm Success
Over the following months, four films inOver the following months, four films in
which Monroe featured were released.which Monroe featured were released.
She had been lent to RKO Studios toShe had been lent to RKO Studios to
appear in a supporting role inappear in a supporting role in Clash byClash by
NightNight, a Barbara Stanwyck drama,, a Barbara Stanwyck drama,
directed by Fritz Lang. Released in Junedirected by Fritz Lang. Released in June
1952, the film was popular with audiences,1952, the film was popular with audiences,
with much of its successwith much of its success
credited to curiosity aboutcredited to curiosity about
Monroe, who received generallyMonroe, who received generally
favorable reviews from critics.favorable reviews from critics.

6. NiagaraNiagara
Darryl F. Zanuck considered that Monroe's filmDarryl F. Zanuck considered that Monroe's film
potential was worth developing and cast herpotential was worth developing and cast her
inin NiagaraNiagara, as a femme fatale scheming to, as a femme fatale scheming to
murder her husband, played by Josephmurder her husband, played by Joseph
Cotten. During filming, Monroe's make-upCotten. During filming, Monroe's make-up
artist Whitey Snyder noticed her stage frightartist Whitey Snyder noticed her stage fright
(that would ultimately mark her behavior on film(that would ultimately mark her behavior on film
sets throughout her career); thesets throughout her career); the
director assigned him to spend hoursdirector assigned him to spend hours
gently coaxing and comforting Monroegently coaxing and comforting Monroe
as she prepared to film her scenes.as she prepared to film her scenes.

7. How to Marry a MillionaireHow to Marry a Millionaire
How to Marry a MillionaireHow to Marry a Millionaire was a comedy was a comedy
about three models scheming to attract a about three models scheming to attract a
wealthy husband. The film teamed Monroe wealthy husband. The film teamed Monroe
with Betty Grable and Lauren Bacall, and with Betty Grable and Lauren Bacall, and
was directed by Jean Negulesco. The was directed by Jean Negulesco. The
producer and scriptwriter, Nunnally producer and scriptwriter, Nunnally
Johnson, said that it was the first film in Johnson, said that it was the first film in
which audiences "liked Marilyn which audiences "liked Marilyn
for herself [and that] she for herself [and that] she
diagnosed the reason very diagnosed the reason very
shrewdly shrewdly

8. Acting AmbitionsActing Ambitions
During this time, Monroe discussed her During this time, Monroe discussed her
acting ambitions, telling the acting ambitions, telling the New YorkNew York
TimesTimes "I want to grow and develop and "I want to grow and develop and
play serious dramatic parts. My dramatic play serious dramatic parts. My dramatic
coach, Natasha Lytess, tells everybody coach, Natasha Lytess, tells everybody
that I have a great soul, but so far that I have a great soul, but so far
nobody's interested in it." nobody's interested in it."

9. Death Of A StarDeath Of A Star
On August 5, 1962, LAPD police sergeant Jack On August 5, 1962, LAPD police sergeant Jack
Clemmons received a call at 4:25 a.m. from Dr. Clemmons received a call at 4:25 a.m. from Dr.
Ralph Greenson, Monroe's psychiatrist, Ralph Greenson, Monroe's psychiatrist,
proclaiming that Monroe was found dead at her proclaiming that Monroe was found dead at her
home inBrentwood, Los Angeles, California. She home inBrentwood, Los Angeles, California. She
was 36 years old. At the subsequent autopsy, was 36 years old. At the subsequent autopsy,
eightmilligram percent of Chloral Hydrate and eightmilligram percent of Chloral Hydrate and
4.5 milligram percent of Nembutal were found in 4.5 milligram percent of Nembutal were found in
her system, and Dr. Thomas her system, and Dr. Thomas
Noguchi of the Los Angeles Noguchi of the Los Angeles
County Coroners office recorded County Coroners office recorded
cause of death as "acute cause of death as "acute
barbiturate poisoning", resulting barbiturate poisoning", resulting
from a "probable suicide". from a "probable suicide".

10. ConclusionConclusion
So Even Though Marilyn Monroe DiesSo Even Though Marilyn Monroe Dies
Young, she still did many things in her life,Young, she still did many things in her life,
so she didn’t die a stranger, she dies aso she didn’t die a stranger, she dies a
very famous person, that even Hughvery famous person, that even Hugh
Hefner reserved a grave next to her inHefner reserved a grave next to her in
the Westwood Village Memorial Parkthe Westwood Village Memorial Park
Cemetery inCemetery in Westwood, Los Angeles.