Life and Career
Edythe Marrenner was born on June 30, 1917 in Brooklyn, NY. Her childhood was spent in a working class family which some refer to as poverty-stricken, although others suggest the family was comfortable. Susan herself said they were poor:
“I learned at a very early age that life is a battle. My family was poor, my neighborhood was poor. The only way that I could get away from the awfulness of life, at that time, was at the movies. There I decided that my big aim was to make money. And it was there that I became a very determined woman.”
Either way, she was not born into privilege, and difficulty did mar her childhood, as a car accident at 7 years old left her in a body cast for several months and gave her a lifelong limp. She attended public schools and graduated in 1935; the daughter of an Irish actress, she had already begun to show an aptitude for the stage in her teen years. It was, as with so many young women, the modeling world that came calling first. After gaining some attention as a model on the New York scene, she joined the many beauties seeking fame in Hollywood.
Susan in With a Song In My Heart, wearing a blouse Marilyn would later wear in Bus Stop
Susan came west in 1937 to screen test for what may well have been the most sought-after acting role in history, that of Scarlett O’Hara in Gone With the Wind. She didn’t get it of course, but did get a new name, Susan Hayward, and earned some bit parts before finally being cast in Beau Geste with Gary Cooper in 1939. The young beauty continued to get roles, but it wasn’t until the mid-1940s when her career took off. Meanwhile, in 1944, she began a tumultuous ten-year marriage with actor Jess Barker, and in February of 1945 gave birth to premature twin sons.
In 1947, as young Norma Jeane was at the beginning of her career, Susan Hayward received her first of five Oscar nominations for Smash Up, the Story of a Woman. As her marriage struggled, Hayward’s career did not. Throughout the 1950s she continued to earn acclaim for roles in films such as With a Song In My Heart (1952) and The President’s Lady (1953). In 1954 her marriage to Jess Barker ended, and Susan reportedly attempted suicide.
Susan with her Oscar
Her recovery brought her back to a career still on an upward trajectory. She continued to receive acclaim and Academy Award nominations for her screen work, finally winning the long-awaited statue in 1959 for her role in the 1958 film I Want To Live!
In 1957, Haywrd remarried, this time to Georgia rancher Floyd Eaton Chalkey. Although she lived a happy life with him in Georgia, she continued to make films. It was his death in 1966 that spelled the beginning of the end of her career. Her deep mourning took her away from stardom and to a quiet life in Florida, although she later returned to California. She starred with Sharon Tate in Valley of the Dolls, her last major appearance on film. Her final role was in the TV movie Say Goodbye, Maggie Cole. The title was someone prophetic. Susan said goodbye to acting and was diagnosed with brain cancer the following year. In 1975, she passed away, and was returned to the place of her happy years of marriage in Georgia for burial.
Marilyn Connections
Valley of the Dolls, one of her last roles.
Like Marilyn, Susan started out as a model, and worked her way through bit parts before getting starring roles. The two shared many co-stars as well as directors. Susan appeared with Joe E. Brown in $1000 a Touchdown – he later appeared in Marilyn’s hit Some Like it Hot. She appeared in I’d Climb The Highest Mountain and With a Song In My Heart with Marilyn’s River of No Return co-star Rory Calhoun, with her other RONR co-star Robert Mitchum in The Lusty Men, and in I Can Get It For You Wholesale with All About Eve‘s George Sanders. With a Song in My Heart also starred two other Marilyn co-stars, David Wayne (As Young as You Feel) and Thelma Ritter (All About Eve, As Young As You Feel, The Misfits).
In White Witch Doctor she again starred with Robert Mitchum, and was directed by Marilyn’s O. Henry’s Full House and Niagara director, Henry Hathaway. Susan starred with Marilyn’s Don’t Bother To Knock co-stars Ann Bancroft in Demetrius and the Gladiators, and Richard Widmark in Garden of Evil. In Soldier of Fortune Susan starred opposite Marilyn’s The Misfits co-star Clark Gable. In 1961 she appeared in Ada with Dean Martin, Marilyn’s co-star in the ill-fated Something’s Got to Give and with All About Eve star Bette Davis in Where Love Has Gone.
When Marilyn selected her wardrobe for Bus Stop she chose a green blouse that was previously worn by Susan Hayward in With a Song In My Heart. Susan’s film The Snows of Kilamanjaro also starred Hildegard Knef, who sported two dresses also seen on Marilyn in publicity photos.
Both women looked to the movies as a way to make their own way in the world, although Susan seemed more interested in financial stability and Marilyn more in being adored. Both faced depression and suicide attempts as well as failed marriages, although Susan did eventually find happiness in marriage, although it ended again in sadness. A look at Susan’s life leads one to wonder, had Marilyn been given some of the same roles, how her career might have been different.
Hi there Marilyn fans! It’s Friday , and time to bring in the round up of the latest headlines featuring the one and only Marilyn Monroe. As usual there’s a little of the good, the bad, and the things that make you go hmmmmm…..
Remember when we reported that our least favourite UK tabloid had run some pics of Marilyn showing a slightly rounded tummy with the story that she was pregnant with Yves Montand’s baby? Well the National Enquirer, grandaddy of the fake news world, had to go them one better. It wasn’t Yves baby, says the Enquirer, no sir. It was JFK’s. OF COURSE. Sigh. POTUS or Frenchman, either way the story is utterly false. So, once again…No, Marilyn wasn’t pregnant in 1960!!
A brunette actress playing Marilyn in a new play
Ever the subject of fiction and fantasy, Marilyn appears again on the stage in the recently premiered Norma Jeane At the Payne Whitney Psychiatric Clinic. The play, which earns our vote for Least Creative Title, covers – yes, you guessed it, her time at Payne Whitney. In an effort to present her as “Norma Jeane” and not “Marilyn”, the play uses a brunette actress to play the part, so we can at least be spared another caricature. Still, of all the parts of her life Marilyn would not have wanted to see on the stage, this would have to top the list. We’re going to pass.
Susan Sarandon and Jessica Lange in Feud
Marilyn will appear, or at least be mentioned, in the new FX series Feud: Joan and Bette, although no word yet how Marilyn’s appearance will be handled – either as a cameo or even just by name, or which actress will take the part if indeed there is one. ES has the story on the slightly revised version of Joan Crawford’s hostility towards Marilyn as it’s portrayed in the series.
Are you ready for this week’s installment of Who Channelled Marilyn??? Yes, the ever-growing list of celebs who have earned a spot in the media’s obsessive attempts to point out every blonde wig and beauty mark grows once more…. This week we bring your former Disney star Dove Cameron and Lil’ Kim. That last one we are definitely questioning.
Have a great week Marilyn fans!
Life and Career
Ronald Wilson Reagan started his life inauspiciously, born on February 11, 1911 in Tampico, Illinois to a working class family. His early life was marked by a strong faith and an early belief in civil rights. Nicknamed “Dutch” by his father for a rotund appearance, the young Reagan slimmed down by his teen years and became a lifeguard. Moves around the Midwest in his youth eventually landed him in Des Moines, Iowa, where his life in the public eye began.
Reagan in Kings Row, 1942
Starting out as a radio announcer, Reagan eventually landed a job announcing games for the Chicago Cubs; it was this job that took him on the road with the team and to California, where he landed a screen test. Radio and film collided in his first on-screen appearance in the film Love Is On The Air. Two years later, his film credit count was up to 19. His appearance in the film Knute Rockney, All American earned him a new nickname that would last a lifetime: “The Gipper”, but it was the 1942 film Kings Row that cemented him as a star. During his rise to fame, Reagan met and married actress Jane Wyman. The couple had two biological children although sadly the second child lived for only a day. They later adopted a third child.
Ronald and Nancy in 1952
WWII interrupted Reagan’s film career, as it did for so many, and although he returned to films in 1945, he never rose to the same heights. In 1948 political differences led to the end of Reagan’s marriage to Jane Wyman. He continued to appear in numerous films; a notable film near the end of his movie career was Hellcats of The Navy – memorable because it was the first and only time he made a movie with his then-wife Nancy. The pair had met in 1949 when she requested his assistance with the blacklisting of her name as a Communist, and married in 1952. Their marriage would be among the longest of Hollywood unions, lasting until Reagan’s death and producing two children.
After his final film appearance in 1964, Reagan moved into television work. In the meantime, his political aspirations were growing. Originally a staunch Democrat, Reagan’s leanings moved to the right over time, and by 1962 was a Republican. In 1966 Reagan ran for, and won, the job of Governor of California on a strong anti-Socialism platform. He made several major and controversial legislative moves, and spent two terms in the position before setting his sights higher.
The 1981 Presidential Inauguration
In 1976, Reagan made his first bid for the Republican nomination for the Presidency, losing to Gerald Ford, who in turn lost the election to Jimmy Carter. 1980 was a different story. Reagan led the Republican party to a landslide victory over Carter, and became the 40th President of the United States. Reagan survived an assassination attempt shortly after taking office, in 1981. He won a second major victory in 1984, earning a second term in office. Reagan’s 8 years in office included major controversies and changes, including his financial policies which were dubbed “Reaganomics”, the “War on Drugs”, a highly criticized response to the AIDS crisis, and the “Iran-Contra Affair”. His Presidency also saw the escalation and eventual end of the Cold War and the fall of the Berlin Wall.
After leaving the White House, Ronald and Nancy Reagan returned to California. In 1994, the former President was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. The progressive disease, along with pneumonia, led to his death in 2004. Nancy outlived him by more than a decade, dying in 2016.
Marilyn Connections
Marilyn with the Reagans in 1953
Although Marilyn and Reagan were in Hollywood during the same time period and eventually met, Reagan’s first connection to her occurred long before Marilyn Monroe was even an idea. It was Reagan, working for the Army’s First Motion Picture Unit, who assigned photographer David Conover to the task of photographing attractive young women in factories aiding the war effort. One of those young ladies was Mrs. Norma Jeane Dougherty, who was working at the Radioplane factory in Burbank. The 1945 photos were her first modeling shots and started her career.
Marilyn later met Reagan at a party for the birthday of Charles Coburn, Marilyn’s co-star in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (and Reagan’s co-star in Louisa), in June of 1953. It is the only time they were photographed together.
In spite of claims to the contrary, Marilyn did not have an affair with Reagan – he is one of many alleged lovers for whom there is no evidence.
Marilyn and Reagan do have a connection through Jane Wyman – she later married Marilyn’s one-time vocal coach with whom she had a love affair, Fred Karger.
The two co-starred with some of the same people, although at different times. Marilyn had one of her first big breaks in All About Eve, starring Bette Davis. Reagan appeared with Davis in 1939’s Dark Victory. Reagan also appeared in That Hagen Girl with Rory Calhoun, who would appear in River of No Return with Marilyn, and in The Voice of the Turtle with Marilyn’s We’re Not Married co-star Eve Arden. He starred with Barbara Stanwyck in Cattle Queen of Montana, who appeared in another pivotal film for Marilyn, Clash By Night.
Reagan had an uncredited role in Jean Negulesco’s first solo directing credit, the short Alice in Movieland – he would go on to direct Marilyn in How To Marry a Millionaire.
A controversial political figure, Ronald Reagan started life with no sign of who he would become. He became one of the most influential people in U.S. history – and played a small role in launching the career of Marilyn Monroe, another person who started from humble beginnings to rise to great heights.
-Leslie Kasperowicz for Immortal Marilyn
Hello Marilyn fans! After an unexpected absence I am back on the beat for your weekly roundups of the Marilyn news! Our girl is making headlines as usual – some of them ringing the “fake news” alarm bells! Here’s what happened this week – and a few news items missed when I was absent!
She wasn’t pregnant during these Misfits costume tests.
Pregnant Marilyn in 1960? Not a chance, but the Daily Mail set off an avalanche of speculation this week with an article proclaiming it to be so. The story had Marilyn fans quick to step up and argue its validity, fighting back once again against the tide of scandal and sensationalism that’s more interesting than the truth to so many. Check out IM’s response to the story to get caught up on the latest in nonsense news.
Do you live in or near Philadelphia? Then check out this one-night-only Some Like It Hot inspired dinner! February 21st, at local venue Martha, you can enjoy a dinner inspired by the film and also a screening of what many considered Marilyn’s best film and biggest hit.
Jimmy James in an LA Eyeworks ad often mistaken for Marilyn.
Marilyn will be featured in a series on blondes who passed away too soon. The podcast You Must Remember This will look at Marilyn’s life and death along with Carole Lombard, Judy Holliday, and Jean Harlow in a series called Dead Blondes. Check out the Rolling Stone interview with the podcast’s host.
It wouldn’t be the first time Jimmy James has been mistaken for Marilyn. His images are regularly shared bearing her name, and we’ve even seen him as a Marilyn tattoo. But this time an African nation has gone a little far and put his face on a stamp meant to feature Marilyn, and Jimmy has been forced to threaten legal action. The image in question was part of a 1999 LA Eyeworks campaign, and one frequently mistaken for Marilyn.
Are you ready for a round of Who Channelled Marilyn???
Yes, there’s always someone out there being said to exude a little Marilyn…and this we have Bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut who did a Marilyn-esque performance for troops recently. Once again, Courtney Stodden makes the list with a Grammy party look that had headlines mentioning Marilyn once again.
Have a great week, Marilyn fans! We’ll have more headlines for you next Friday!
Another tabloid run at Marilyn has taken some candid photos sold at the recent Julien’s auction and made up a pregnancy to go with them.
The Daily Mail, a British publication well known for unreliable stories, published this story, which features photos from the Frieda Hull collection recently sold by Julien’s Auctions. They interview Tony Michaels, the man who bought the slides at auction. Michaels claims that Frieda was a friend of his, and told him that Marilyn confided in her about the pregnancy, a result of an affair with French actor Yves Montand during filming of Let’s Make Love in 1960.
Marilyn during costume tests for The Misfits, July 1960.
Marilyn does appear to have a little tummy in the photos, taken in early July of 1960 during costume tests for The Misfits. The problem is that the tummy is nothing new, but was in fact just as visible during costume tests for Let’s Make Love a good six months earlier, prior to Marilyn’s time on set with Montand. Photos throughout the film show a somewhat heavier Marilyn with a small tummy showing. If this was a pregnancy, it started some time earlier and somehow managed to not advance at all for six months.
Marilyn during costume tests for Let’s Make Love.
Putting aside photographic evidence, it doesn’t take much to look at the story itself and see a fabrication. If indeed Marilyn was pregnant by means of an adulterous affair, why would she confide in young fan Frieda Hull and no one else? And why would Frieda then tell her neighbour and no one else? And why would either of them keep the secret for so long, Frieda to her grave and Michaels until he purchased the photos from Julien’s? It wouldn’t be the first time a salacious story was fabricated about Marilyn to get some press and make a small piece of Marilyn history into a much bigger and more valuable one. And sadly, these stories are shared as gospel.
There was no word about this pregnancy at the time that the catalog was prepared for Julien’s, as Marilyn Remembered tweeted today in response to the article. No mention or evidence for a pregnancy during this time has ever surfaced, in spite of exhaustive research into every aspect of Marilyn’s life in the 55 years since her passing, and the fact that she was photographed everywhere she went. The odds of such a pregnancy going unnoticed and unreported at the time, and to have been kept a total secret all these years are incredible.
A scene from Let’s Make Love
Marilyn’s weight fluctuated during her lifetime, and the years from 1957-1960 were heavier than previous years. Following her divorce from Arthur Miller, Marilyn slimmed down considerably. What is seen in these photos could be the result of the onset of the gallbladder problem that would lead to surgery in 1961. It could be bloating from Marilyn’s endometriosis – a condition that caused Marilyn to have difficulty conceiving and carrying a child to term, making this claim even more hurtful – or just from a big lunch. Or it could be nothing at all.
Sometimes, a tummy is just a tummy.
