Marilyn Monroe's Changing Looks

Born in Los Angeles to a single mother, Monroe spent much of her childhood with a foster family. Although her birth certificate gives her name as Norma Jeane Mortensen, she was later called Norma Jeane Baker.

The 14-year-old had naturally curly reddish-brown hair-and a newfound effect on men. "I had this long walk to school, it was just sheer pleasure," she told Life of her high school years. "Every fellow honked his horn-the world became friendly."

Renamed Marilyn Monroe and reborn as a platinum blonde, she took a supporting role in Ladies of the Chorus.

A year of contrasts: she was awarded a prestige role in The Asphalt Jungleand named Miss Cheesecake by Stars and Stripes magazine.

An elegant updo revealed Monroe's natural widow's peak in All About Eve.

The Don’t Bother to Knock star wore her white-blond locks in a voluminous pageboy. She was also known to accentuate her eyes with a half-strip of false lashes.

The red-lipped bombshell showcased her comedic skills in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and How to Marry a Millionaire. The following year, her fame skyrocketed when she married baseball player Joe DiMaggio.

Having moved to New York to study acting under Lee Strasberg, the new Mrs. Arthur Miller took a role across from Sir Laurence Olivier in The Prince and the Showgirl.

A year before her death, she completed her final film, The Misfits.