About the exhibition
Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon celebrates Marilyn Monroe—born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926—as a visionary actor and image-maker, examining how she created and shaped her public image in the context of the classical Hollywood studio system.
Presenting hundreds of original objects, including posters, portraits, photographs, production documents, letters, and rarely seen personal materials—many on display for the first time—the exhibition offers unique insight into her agency in becoming a Hollywood icon. The exhibition also features an extensive array of Monroe’s screen-worn costumes, ranging from a dress featured in Love Happy (1949) to items from her final and unfinished film, Something’s Got to Give (1962). Major highlights include two costumes by Orry-Kelly from Some Like it Hot (1959), as well as the rarely exhibited famous pink dress by William Travilla from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953).
Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon is curated by Associate Curator Sophia Serrano, with the support of Curatorial Assistant Simran Bhalla.
Related Events
In-Gallery
Close-Up Tours: Marilyn Monroe
Museum educators lead 30-minute guided tours exploring the career of Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe. Through her films, costumes and more, this exhibition, titled Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon, uncovers the woman behind the carefully crafted image.
Tour guides use voice amplifiers to enhance sound accessibility.
If you have any questions or need assistance planning your visit, please email museumeducation@oscars.org.
In-Gallery
Close-Up Tours: Marilyn Monroe (En Español)
Bilingual museum educators lead 30-minute guided tours exploring the career of Hollywood icon Marilyn Monroe. Through her films, costumes and more, this exhibition, titled Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon, uncovers the woman behind the carefully crafted image.
Tour guides use voice amplifiers to enhance sound accessibility.
If you have any questions or need assistance planning your visit, please email museumeducation@oscars.org.
Shop the Marilyn Monroe exhibition
Supported By
Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon is made possible by CHANEL.
Additional support provided by ICON COLLECTION™ with the generous loans of objects.
Generous support provided by Dave and Tara Dollinger and Kimberly V. Strauss. Academy Museum Digital Engagement Platform supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies.