Life Can't Wait

• 1945

  discovered!

  You never know when you’re going to be discovered. It’s simply another day on the factory floor of the Radioplane Company, when Norma Jeane is snapped by photographer David Conover for the US Army’s YANK magazine.

  The Blue Book modeling agency recognizes a star in the making. But could they ever have imagined that they’d just signed one of the world’s most iconic stars?

  The transformation begins. Norma Jeane cuts and dyes her natural brown-red hair to become a golden blonde, and throws herself into drama and singing classes.

• 1946

  cover girl

  With her new golden locks, Norma Jeane has gone from factory girl to cover star in only a year and attracts the attention of talent scout Ben Lyon.

  Hollywood, here she comes! After Lyon puts Norma Jeane forward for screen tests at 20th Century Fox, she lands a six- month contract at $125 a week.   

  On Lyon’s advice, Norma Jeane takes another step towards superstardom by adopting the more glamorous name of Marilyn (after the actress Marilyn Miller) and teaming it up with her mother’s maiden name. Marilyn Monroe is born.

• 1947

  film debutante

  Marilyn debuts on the silver screen in ‘Dangerous Years’ and ‘Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay!’ (though blink and you’ll miss her). 20th Century Fox is yet to be fully captivated by the young blonde and her contract isn’t renewed.

  Marilyn continues to wow everyone as a cover star and her address book is soon bulging with more Hollywood contacts.

• 1948

  oops – bad reviews

  Marilyn is given a starring role in the musical ‘Ladies of the Chorus’ by Columbia Pictures, but the reviews aren’t kind and she’s quickly dropped again.

  You can’t keep a good girl down. Despite her setbacks as an actress, Marilyn is still every bit the superstar model – with those radiant looks and glamorous curls fast becoming her trademark.

• 1949

  happy new year

  New year, old studio. Marilyn is welcomed back to 20th Century Fox in a move masterminded by powerful Hollywood agent Johnny Hyde.

  Hyde becomes highly influential in shaping Marilyn Monroe the sex symbol. Bring on the tighter curls and the even lighter color.

  Marilyn wins a small role in the Marx Brothers’ ‘Love Happy’ - the first of several parts over the coming year that finally bring her to the attention of movie fans.

• 1950

  big breakthrough

  The breakthrough year for the aspiring actress. Marilyn lights up the screen in two small but important roles. One is for renowned director John Huston in ‘The Asphalt Jungle’ and the other is opposite Bette Davis in ‘All About Eve’ – which goes on to win the Best Picture Oscar.

  Marilyn continues to refine her iconic look, including shorter and more elegant hairstyles.

• 1951

  miss cheesecake

  Despite signing a seven-year picture deal, Marilyn the actress is still overshadowed by Marilyn the pin-up – with her daring new shorter hairdo. But, hey, who wouldn’t want to be voted ‘Miss Cheesecake of the Year’ by ‘Stars and Stripes’ magazine?

  Marilyn goes back to school – well, kind of – as she takes up art appreciation classes at UCLA. She would go on to become a passionate art collector.

• 1952

  leading light

  The calm before the media storm. Marilyn’s box office appeal gains momentum, and supporting roles in ‘Clash by Night’ and ‘Monkey Business’ prove she’s ready for bigger things. 20th Century Fox gives Marilyn the leading role she craves in ‘Don’t Bother To Knock’.

  Marilyn’s dreams and determination have created the iconic look we all know and love. And, it’s about to produce huge rewards.

• 1953

  on the A-list

  Think Marilyn. Think coiffured blonde bombshell. Following her impressive leading role in ‘Niagara’, the iconic image of Marilyn the A-list star is fully established in the classic comedies ‘Gentlemen Prefer Blondes’ and ‘How To Marry a Millionaire’.

  Marilyn’s shimmering beauty as she croons ‘Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend’ continues to delight and inspire others over 50 years on.

  A whole new side of Marilyn is exposed in the launch issue of ‘Playboy’ when photos are uncovered from earlier in her career. ‘What did you have on during the shoot?’ one journalist enquired. Marilyn’s reply? ‘The radio.’

• 1954

  ‘I do’

  A showbiz wedding is the perfect way to start the year. But Marilyn’s marriage to baseball star Joe DiMaggio fails to go the full innings (yes, it’s a sports-related pun, get over it) and they split 274 days later.

  Marilyn entertains the US troops in Korea, performing 10 shows in 4 days to 10,000 people.

  More films follow – ‘River of No Return’ and ‘There’s No Business Like Show Business’ – but Marilyn is beginning to tire of the roles she’s given.

• 1955

  THAT moment

  When Marilyn’s skirt billows around her in 'The Seven Year Itch’, another iconic movie moment is born.

  Marilyn waves farewell to 20th Century Fox again! This time it’s her decision as she heads to New York to seek better roles. But the success of ‘The Seven Year Itch’ soon has Fox chasing her tail and she re-signs with greater control of her films.

  Marilyn poses for photographer Richard Avedon in ‘Vogue’ magazine.

• 1956

  getting serious

  Introducing Marilyn, the serious actress. Following tuition from legendary acting teacher Lee Strasberg, Marilyn returns to Hollywood in ‘Bus Stop’. Gone is all the glitz and the glamour – including the debut of a more sophisticated, pin-backed hairstyle. The new Marilyn soon proves to be an even bigger hit as critical acclaim is followed by a Golden Globe nomination.

  Time for another wedding. A secret New York one this time, to playwright Arthur Miller.

• 1957

  hello, London!

  Marilyn has London in a spin when she arrives to film ‘The Prince and the Showgirl’ alongside Laurence Olivier. The movie picks up praise and awards for Marilyn, including a BAFTA nomination.

  ‘A brilliant comedienne, which to me means she is also an extremely skilled actress’ – Laurence Olivier.  

  Marilyn continues to set fashions worldwide with her new, looser hair set.

• 1958

  time out

  Every top Hollywood icon deserves some ‘me time’, and for much of the year Marilyn retreats to New York and her husband’s Connecticut estate to let her hair down.

  When Marilyn next steps in front of the cameras in the autumn it’s to film the biggest success of her career: ‘Some Like It Hot’. Director Billy Wilder says her screen presence is ‘as powerful as Garbo’.

• 1959

  golden girl

  'Some Like It Hot' is the pinnacle of Marilyn’s film career and earns her a Golden Globe the following year – the film is still considered one of the greatest movies ever made.

  Now 33, Marilyn has reached a turning point in her life and career as the decade draws to a close.

• 1960

  walk of fame

  Marilyn celebrates the beginning of the Swingin’ Sixties with her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

  The world is in the palm of Marilyn’s hand, but this year would mark the beginning of the end for her film career. ‘Let’s Make Love’ is followed by filming for ‘The Misfits’, written by her husband Arthur Miller. It’s her last, fully completed film.

• 1961

  goodbye, Arthur

  The year opens on two endings: Marilyn’s divorce to Arthur Miller and the release of her final completed film, ‘The Misfits’.

  Take one bed. Add Marilyn Monroe. And you have all the ingredients you need for another stunning photo shoot by Douglas Kirkland for Look magazine.

  The more mature Marilyn retains her trademark platinum blonde style, but the hair is set straighter as she moves towards a more sophisticated look.

• 1962

  endings begin

  Marilyn begins filming ‘Something’s Got To Give’, but it’s never to be completed.

  On 19 May, Marilyn sings ‘Happy Birthday, Mr President’ at a televised party for John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden – it’s her last public appearance.

  On 5 August, Marilyn passed away in her Los Angeles home. Her memory lives on to this day and the legendary blonde superstar continues to inspire models, filmmakers, artists, musicians and fans worldwide.