Can Marilyn Monroe Ever Be Duplicated?

by Zoe Dukoff-Gordon

Marilyn Monroe
(www.biography.com)

Norma Jeane Mortenson’s childhood was volatile, as she was passed from family members to family friends and frequently stayed in orphanages as a result of her mother’s mental health. At the age of sixteen, a family friend orchestrated a marriage proposal to avoid any more disruption to her life. But, when her husband was sent to the Pacific with the merchant marine a few years later, this is where Norma Jeane ended and Marilyn Monroe began.

At the age of nineteen, her original and enchanting looks were noticed by a photographer and she landed herself on numerous magazine covers which led on to acting in numerous comedies and dramas. ‘Bus Stop’ is where she had her breakthrough, as, although the film as a whole didn’t get good reviews,  Marilyn Monroe’s performance was described as staggering and indelible. She then received a Golden Globe award for her performance in ‘Some Like It Hot’, in addition to her Golden Globe nomination for her performance in ‘Bus Stop.’

Her striving from her harsh background led Marilyn to become the world’s most popular actress of her time; the way she changed her life and turned it around is part of what made people admire her so much.

“This life is what you make it. No matter what, you're going to mess up sometimes, it's a universal truth. But the good part is you get to decide how you're going to mess it up. Girls will be your friends - they'll act like it anyway. But just remember, some come, some go. The ones that stay with you through everything - they're your true best friends. Don't let go of them. Also remember, sisters make the best friends in the world.

As for lovers, well, they'll come and go too. And baby, I hate to say it, most of them - actually pretty much all of them are going to break your heart, but you can't give up because if you give up, you'll never find your soulmate. You'll never find that half who makes you whole and that goes for everything. Just because you fail once, doesn't mean you're gonna fail at everything. Keep trying, hold on, and always, always, always believe in yourself, because if you don't, then who will, sweetie? So keep your head high, keep your chin up, and most importantly, keep smiling, because life's a beautiful thing and there's so much to smile about.” Marilyn Monroe

But do Marilyn’s singular talents and unforgettable smile make her unduplicable? Will we ever see another icon as iconic as M. Monroe?

See, also, Marilyn Monroe: Fifty Years On and Audrey Hepburn: Icon