Hollywood celebrates Marilyn Monroe's 100th birthday

Hollywood is celebrating the centennial of Marilyn Monroe’s birth with a series of tributes and events, honoring the enduring legacy of one of its most iconic stars. Monroe, who died in 1962 at age 36, remains a global symbol of glamour, talent, and tragic vulnerability.

The main public celebration occurred at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, where Monroe’s handprints and footprints are preserved. Fans gathered for a rededication of the Marilyn Monroe fountain, a birthday cake, and a sing-along of “Happy Birthday.” The event included the distribution of 100 red roses and featured photographer Lawrence Schiller, who documented Monroe’s final years. The location holds special significance; Monroe and her “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” co-star Jane Russell cemented their prints there in 1953.

Concurrently, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures opened “Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon,” a major exhibition running through February 2027. The display features hundreds of original items, including the pink dress she wore performing “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend.” The museum is also hosting screenings of her key films throughout June, such as “Some Like It Hot,” “The Seven Year...