Marilyn Monroe Death: 50th Anniversary Photo Tribute (PHOTOS)
Marilyn Monroe died 50 years ago this past weekend in her home in Brentwood, California on Aug. 5, 1962.
There were several celebrations in California honoring the 50th anniversary of Monroe's death. The Hollywood Museum has an exhibit featuring dresses she wore in "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" and "Some Like It Hot" through September 2, according to NBC.
The 36-year-old had died from a drug overdose. The Los Angeles County coroner had determined that she died from "acute barbiturate poisoning." According to several reports, the poisoning was believed to be self-inflicted, leading many to conclude that she committed suicide. The "The Seven Year Itch" star was rumored to have been suffering from depression, drug use and alcoholism despite her success.
The film icon was born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926. The model-turned-actress was married three times: to James Dougherty, baseball great Joe Di Maggio and playright/screenwriter Arthur Miller.
Tony Curtis, her costar from "Some like It Hot," claimed she was pregnant by him during her marriage to Miller. After her death, there were rumors that she had an affair with President John F. Kennedy and his brother Robert, the attorney general at that time.
Monroe would have been 86 years old if she were alive today. The 1950's version of the star made her an icon that is often copied by many celebrities today. Madonna portrayed Monroe in her "Like a Virgin" music video; the late model Anna Nicole Smith's mimicked her look for a Guess? ad campaign and Mariah Carey imitated the screen legend for one of her music videos, "I Still Believe."
Her story has been considered so tragic it has been written for the big screen for numerous projects.
The last biopic, "My Week with Marilyn" starred Michelle Williams playing Monroe. Williams received an Oscar nomination and won a Golden Globe for Best Actress for the role.
Naomi Watts is set to play Monroe in an upcoming film adaptation of Joyce Carol Oates' book about Monroe called "Blonde."
