Marilyn Monroe (June 1, 1926 - August 5, 1962), born Norma Jeane Mortenson, but baptized Norma Jeane Baker, was an American actor, singer and model. After much of his childhood in foster homes, Monroe began a career as a model, leading to a film contract in 1946. Her first roles were minor, but her performances in The Asphalt Jungle and All About Eve (both 1950) were well received. Monroe was praised for its ability in comedy films like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, How to Marry a Millionaire, Some Like It Hot and The Seven Year Itch.

The type casting of "Monroe dumb blonde" persona limited her career, so she expanded her range. She studied at the Actors Studio and formed Marilyn Monroe Productions. Her dramatic performance in Bus Stop was hailed by critics and won a Golden Globe for her role in Some Like It Hot.

The final years of Monroe's life were marked by illness, personal problems and a reputation for being unreliable and difficult to work. The circumstances of her death from an overdose of barbiturates, are the subject of guesswork. Although officially classified as a "probable suicide", the possibility of an accidental drug overdose, and the possibility of manslaughter, not excluded. In 1999 Monroe was ranked as the sixth greatest female star of all time by the American Film Institute. Time found her to be strongly affected operations in the 20th century.