Marilyn Monroe Final Draft

Who was Marilyn Monroe?  Born Norma Jeane Baker but named Marilyn Monroe. Marilyn Monroe inspired many people by surviving many harassments when she was a kid and still live with the fact that she didn’t have a great childhood. Due to her mother (Gladys Baker) unstable mental health, and the fact that she is not married at the time Norma Jeane was sent to foster care. Marilyn or Norma Jeane accomplished many things, she accomplished overcoming the adversity that she was born to.

Norma Jeane Baker was born on the first day of June in 1926.  She was born in Los Angeles, California. Norma’s parents are Gladys Baker(Mother) and Martin Edward Mortenson (Father). The college Norma attended was University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). When Norma was 3 her mother got very ill and had to get hospitalized so then Marilyn was sent to an orphanage where was taken care of.

The people who influenced Norma to become Marilyn Monroe were Grace Goddard and Lana Turner, Grace was a friend of her mom’s and she raised Norma as a child for some time in her life. Grace Goddard taught Norma to appreciate Hollywood and Movie stars. Lana Turner influenced Norma her acting and appearance. In 1944 she met a photographer and began a modeling career. The work led to two short film contracts with Twentieth Century Fox and Columbia Pictures. Norma faced a scandal when it was revealed that she has posed for nude photos before becoming a movie star in 1949. The story did not affect her career, the story actually increased interest in her films.

Norma worked at becoming a star with incredible ambition. She took anatomy to become a better model. She overcame many odds, becoming an orphan, abused, and a child bride. Norma was most famous for playing “dumb blonde” characters. Norma made 29 films in the first 8 years of her career. Her career of an actress lasted about 16 years. In 1946 she appeared in 33 magazines covers. August in 1946 Norma selected the screen name “Marilyn Monroe.”  In 1947 she was given her first two film roles, Dangerous Years and Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay.  Norma then signed with a new contract, Columbia Pictures, in 1948. Norma appeared in six films in 1955. For success in Norma’s six films, 20th Century-Fox negotiated a seven year contract with Norma. In 1952, a scandal broke when it was revealed that she posed for nude photos in 1949. The story did not affect her career it increased interest in her films. April 7, 1952, Norma appeared on a Life Magazine cover. April 7,1952 was a significant date for Norma Jeane because appearing on a magazine cover can lead to stardom.

Marilyn Monroe (Norma Jeane Baker) inspired many of her fans with her beauty, intelligence, and vulnerability. The world is different because of Norma’s existence because she inspired people to face problems and to follow their dreams. Even if she was abused many times , she still followed her dreams and worked her way up to become famous.

Marilyn Monroe is a person to look up to because Marilyn Monroe was the first celebrity to talk about sexual abuse and bring it into the open. She was abused when she was a child and was sent to foster care after her mother was ill. Marilyn was abused but still kept following her dreams and worked her way up to the top. Marilyn always had some ups and downs but she still worked her way to get pass them. She is a person to look up to because she survived a difficult childhood, she fought depression, and she broke through the stereotypes. Marilyn’s story teaches people that if she got through many problems then they can too.  

Bibliography/Works Cited:

Biography.comEditors. “Marilyn Monroe Biography” Biography.com, n/a, Web. February `

18, 2016. <www.biography.com/marilynmonroe.com>

Franse and Morgan, Astrid and Michelle. “Before Marilyn” Great Britain: Astrid Franse and

Michelle, 2012.

Harrod, Haratia. “50 things you didn't know about Marilyn.” Telegraph.co.uk, June 1,2015. Web.

February 18, 2016. Telegraph.co.uk

Wikipedia contributors, “Marilyn Monroe”. Wikipedia. 2016

Written By: Briana Tran