Marilyn Monroe, born Norma Jeane Mortenson, was an American actress, model, singer, and cultural icon famed for her comedic "blonde bombshell" roles and status as a global sex symbol of the 1950s. Rising from foster care and a wartime factory job to Hollywood stardom, she starred in classics like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, The Seven Year Itch, Some Like It Hot, and The Misfits. Despite her box office success and a Golden Globe win, she faced studio conflicts, typecasting, and personal struggles. Married to Joe DiMaggio and later Arthur Miller, Monroe's life ended tragically in 1962 from a barbiturate overdose, cementing her enduring legacy as a pop culture icon. Born: 1 Jun 1926 (Los Angeles). Died: 4 Aug 1962 (Los Angeles).