The Actors Marilyn Monroe Said Were Her Absolute Favourites
Marilyn Monroe remains one of the most enduring figures in the history of cinema, a star whose climb to the top of Hollywood was as rapid as it was legendary. Following her debut in 1947, she made her first significant impact in the 1950 John Huston heist classic The Asphalt Jungle, starring alongside Sterling Hayden and Louis Calhern.
That same year, she solidified her rising status with a supporting role in the Academy Award-winning drama All About Eve, signaling the start of a decade that would define her career.
Throughout the 1950s, Monroe became a global cultural symbol through her work in iconic comedies like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Some Like It Hot. Her image became recognizable far beyond the borders of Los Angeles, embodying a specific kind of American vivaciousness.
This fame meant that nearly every major star of the era was eager to collaborate with her, leading to onscreen partnerships with legends such as Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, and Montgomery Clift.
Despite her wide array of famous co-stars, only one fellow actor earned a spot on her exclusive list of personal favorites: Clark Gable. Known as “The King of Hollywood,” Gable was a 1935 Oscar winner for It Happened One Night and eventually starred opposite Monroe in her final completed film, The Misfits.
Her admiration for him was well-documented, often citing him as a primary influence on her own understanding of movie stardom. Interestingly, Monroe also named two other Hollywood icons as her favorites despite never having the opportunity to work with them.
The first was Marlon Brando, the revolutionary method actor who garnered eight Oscar nominations and won for both On the Waterfront and The Godfather. Monroe was known to be a deep admirer of his craft, sharing a similar dedication to the emotional depth required for serious performance.
Her final selection was the silent cinema pioneer Charlie Chaplin, the comedic genius behind Modern Times and The Great Dictator. Chaplin’s unique blend of physical comedy and pathos served as a blueprint for generations of actors, from Gene Wilder to Jim Carrey.
For Monroe, these three men represented the pinnacle of the acting profession, each bringing a distinct and powerful energy to the screen. Even decades after her passing, the world’s fascination with Monroe shows no signs of fading, especially as this year marks the centennial of her birth.
To celebrate what would have been her 100th birthday, a major exhibition titled Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait is set to open at London’s National Portrait Gallery on June 4. The exhibit will feature rare portraits by photographers like Cecil Beaton and Philippe Halsman, alongside personal artifacts such as her private scripts and clothing.
In addition to museum tributes, her life continues to be a source of inspiration for modern storytellers. A new immersive experience titled Becoming Marilyn Monroe is scheduled to make its world premiere this year.
This multimedia journey uses innovative projection mapping to transport audiences into a 1950s-style Hollywood studio, offering a “behind-the-scenes” look at her transformation from Norma Jeane to a global superstar.
While recent portrayals like Ana de Armas’s turn in Blonde have kept her story in the headlines, new projects are continually in development to humanize the woman behind the myth.
Producers from the hit series Yellowstone are currently developing a limited series focused on her final months, aiming to depict her life with compassion and historical sensitivity. As these tributes roll out throughout the year, her legacy as a trailblazer who refused to be defined by others remains as potent as ever.
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