Hollywood Marks Marilyn Monroe’s 100th Birthday with Exhibits, Auctions, and Fan Tributes
On June 1 2026, the entertainment capital paid homage to one of its most enduring icons as the city celebrated the centenary of Marilyn Monroe’s birth. Fans, historians, and industry professionals gathered on Hollywood Boulevard, at the historic Chinese Theatre, and inside the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures to honor the actress whose image continues to shape popular culture.
Street‑Level Celebrations
Tour guide Lacey Noel told AFP that the Walk of Fame buzzed with references to the “bottle‑blonde icon” as visitors recalled Monroe’s timeless allure. “When you think of Hollywood, you think of Marilyn,” Noel said, noting that the actress’s “beautiful, mysterious and captivating aura” remains undiminished six decades after her untimely death.
At the Chinese Theatre, where Monroe’s handprints sit beside those of her Gentlemen Prefer Blondes co‑star Jane Russell, fans sang “Happy Birthday” — a nod to her famous serenade for President John F. Kennedy. A display of one hundred red roses and a commemorative cake marked the spot, underscoring the site’s status as a tourist hotspot and a symbol of Hollywood’s golden age.
Academy Museum Exhibition
The tribute kicked off on Sunday with the opening of the Academy Museum’s “Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon” exhibit. Running through February 2027, the show presents hundreds of original artifacts, many rarely seen by the public.
- Monroe’s iconic pink dress from the “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend” number in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)
- Handwritten notes from her final, unfinished film Something’s Got to Give
- Personal items such as Elizabeth Arden lipstick and homemade recipe cards
- Unpublished photographs and a annotated script from her last production
The museum will also screen a curated selection of Monroe’s filmography throughout June, including The Asphalt Jungle (1950), Niagara (1953), The Seven Year Itch (1955), Some Like It Hot (1959), and The Misfits (1961). These screenings aim to contextualize her artistic contributions beyond the celebrity mythos.
Julien’s Auctions “100 Years of Marilyn” Sale
On June 4, Julien’s Auctions will offer nearly 200 lots of Monroe memorabilia in a dedicated “100 Years of Marilyn” auction. Highlights include:
- Never‑before‑published photographs from Monroe’s early modeling days
- The original production script for Something’s Got to Give, complete with her handwritten annotations
- A selection of personal effects, such as her Elizabeth Arden lipstick and handwritten recipe cards
- Costume pieces and promotional stills from her most celebrated films
The auction house notes that the collection offers a “comprehensive view of Monroe’s professional trajectory and private life,” providing scholars and collectors with tangible links to her legacy.
From Factory Worker to Global Star
Monroe was born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1 1926 in Los Angeles. After a turbulent childhood spent in orphanages and foster homes, she married at sixteen and began working in a munitions factory during World II. A photographer assigned to document women on the production line discovered her, launching her modeling career.
She soon dyed her hair platinum blonde, a decision that became integral to her public persona. By age thirty, Monroe had secured a contract with 20th Century Fox and emerged as a global star. Behind the camera, she founded her own production company, studied at the Actors Studio in New York, and repeatedly challenged studio authority — most notably by refusing to appear in The Girl in Pink Tights when she deemed the script subpar and her salary unfair compared to co‑star Frank Sinatra.
Enduring Influence and Personal Legacy
Monroe’s impact extends beyond her filmography. Her marriages to baseball legend Joe DiMaggio and playwright Arthur Miller, as well as rumored connections with Presidents John F. Kennedy and Robert F. Kennedy, have fueled decades of public fascination and scholarly inquiry. Her death on August 5 1962, at age 36, was ruled a probable drug overdose, yet the circumstances continue to spark debate.
Nonetheless, the actress’s blend of vulnerability, charisma, and artistic ambition has cemented her status as a twentieth‑century archetype of celebrity. As Hollywood commemorates her centennial, the combination of museum exhibits, auction offerings, and grassroots tributes demonstrates that Monroe’s influence remains both culturally resonant and historically significant.
