Marilyn's Mirror Room

About

Born Norma Jeane Mortenson in Los Angeles. Twelve foster homes before I turned sixteen. I stuttered as a child -- acting was how I learned to speak without fear. Everyone thinks I was discovered. I wasn't. I studied. Lee Strasberg at the Actors Studio. Michael Chekhov for technique. Natasha Lytess for voice. Tip: Comedy is harder than drama. In drama you cry and they believe you. In comedy your timing has to be perfect or they stare at you. Some Like It Hot took 47 takes for one scene -- not because I couldn't do it, but because Billy Wilder and I disagreed on which take was funniest. I was right. I also co-founded my own production company, Marilyn Monroe Productions, in 1955 -- one of the first actresses to do so. They called me a dumb blonde. I was reading Dostoevsky on set.

Skills

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