Marilyn Monroe was found dead in her Brentwood home at the age of 36, apparently from an overdose of sleeping pills.
A telephone receiver was found in her hand, and an empty bottle of nembutal capsules was discovered nearby.
While police suggested her death could be accidental, County Coroner Theodore J. Curphey stated that tests would be conducted to determine the cause of death, with results expected the following day.
Her death underscores her struggles with mental health and the pressures of fame.
Marilyn Monroe, who gained global fame through publicity before her acting skills were recognized in “The Seven Year Itch,” was found dead alone in her locked bedroom just a month after making headlines for failing to fulfill a commitment to 20th Century Fox’s “Something’s Got to Give.” No notes were discovered at the scene.
Monroe had a troubled upbringing; her mother, Gladys Baker, experienced a nervous breakdown shortly after her birth, leading to Marilyn being raised in various foster homes.
In her teens, she worked in an aircraft factory while modeling, which led to her being signed by 20th Century Fox.
Her first film role in “Scudda Hoo, Scudda Hay” in 1947 was cut from the final edit, but she later gained attention for her performance in MGM’s “Asphalt Jungle” in 1960.
Marilyn Monroe appeared in several notable films throughout her career, including:
- 1949: A Ticket to Tomahawk
- 1950: All About Eve
- 1951: As Young As You Feel, Let’s Make It Legal, Love Nest, Clash by Night
- 1952: Don’t Bother to Knock, O. Henry’s Full House, We’re Not Married, Monkey Business, Niagara, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes
- 1953: River of No Return
- 1954: There’s No Business Like Show Business
- 1956: The Prince and the Showgirl
- 1960: Let’s Make Love, The Misfits
These films contributed to her status as an iconic actress in Hollywood.
