Hollywood celebrates Marilyn Monroe’s 100th birthday

Hollywood icon and screen legend Marilyn Monroe would have celebrated her 100th birthday on June 1. More than six decades after her death, Hollywood continues to keep the American actress’s legacy alive through exhibitions, film screenings, and a special auction, AFP reported on Monday.

One hundred roses and a birthday cake will mark a tribute ceremony on Monday at the TCL Chinese Theatre, one of the most famous symbols of classic Hollywood. Fans of Monroe, who was born as Norma Jean Baker on June 1, 1926, in Los Angeles, are expected to gather for the event, CE Report quotes AGERPRES.

In the theater’s iconic forecourt, Monroe left her handprints and footprints in cement in 1953 alongside Jane Russell, her co-star in the film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Although she was initially cast in stereotypical “blonde bombshell” roles, Monroe later came to be regarded as a feminist icon and one of cinema’s most enduring legends.

The centenary celebrations also include the opening of the exhibition “Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon” at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. Opened on Sunday, the exhibition explores her life and career through film screenings and rare memorabilia, including the famous pink satin dress she wore in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.

An auction titled “100 Years of Marilyn” will offer rare photographs, an annotated script from the unfinished film Something's Got to Give, and personal belongings, including makeup items used by the actress.

Monroe’s tragic death at the age of 36, on the night of August 4–5, 1962, has fueled speculation for decades. Questions remain over whether she died by suicide, from a drug overdose, or, as some conspiracy theories claim, was murdered due to her alleged relationships with members of the Kennedy family.

Although her career lasted only 17 years, Marilyn Monroe’s influence continues to shape Hollywood and popular culture worldwide. Books, films, and cultural references dedicated to her remain abundant.

In 2023, Monroe ranked 12th on the annual Forbes list of highest-earning deceased celebrities, generating more than $10 million in annual revenue. She ranked behind Michael Jackson but ahead of Albert Einstein.

Photo: Wikipedia