Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962) was an American actress, singer and model who became one of the most enduring icons of 20th-century popular culture. Raised in foster homes in Los Angeles, she broke into the film industry via modelling and signed her first studio contract with 20th Century Fox in 1946. Over a decade at the top, her films grossed more than $200 million, and her role as Sugar Kane in Some Like It Hot (1959) earned her a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy.
In June 2026, celebrations of the centennial of Marilyn Monroe's birth took place around the world - the Empire State Building was illuminated in her honor, and special events were held in Las Vegas, Milan, and other cities.
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles opened an exhibition "Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon" on May 31, 2026, which will run until February 2027 and features over 200 original items including costumes and personal correspondence.
The Museum of the Moving Image in New York held weekend film screenings of Marilyn Monroe's films with lectures and panel discussions in April 2026 on the occasion of her centennial.
The Turin Film Festival announced that its 44th edition in 2026 will be dedicated to Marilyn Monroe on the occasion of the centennial of her birth.
The ballet "Marilyn" had its world premiere in Portland and in April 2026 returned with a two-week engagement in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
