Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jeane Mortenson on June 1, 1926 and baptized Norma Jeane Baker, in Los Angeles, California. She spent much of her childhood in foster homes and later began a career as a model which lead to a film contract in 1946. Her early film appearances were minor but her performance in The Asphalt Jungle and All About Eve were well received. By 1953 Marilyn Monroe had progressed to leading roles. Her dumb blonde character was used in such films as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, How to Marry a Millionaire and The Seven Year Itch. She then went on to study at the Actors Studio to broaden her range and her performance in Bus Stop was hailed by critics and she received a Golden… Globe nomination. Her production company, Mariln Monroe Productions, released The Prince and The Showgirl for which she received a BAFTA Award nominationand, won a David di Donatello award. She received a Golden Globe Award for her performance in Some Like It Hot in 1959. The final years of her life were marked by illness, personal problems and a reputation for being difficult to work with. The circumstances of her death from an overdose of barbiturates have been the subject of conjecture. It has officially been classified as a probable suicide while the possibility of an accidental overdose or even homicide have not been ruled out.