“Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius and it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.” ― Marilyn Monroe

53 years ago, on February 8, 1960, Marilyn Monroe was awarded the Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. By that time, a blonde actress, who started her carrier as a parachute inspector (a brunette parachute inspector), had become not only the most popular actress in America, but also a sex symbol of it. In 1949, Marilyn Monroe posed full-length nude on red velvet for the photographer Tom Kelley, who sold her photographs to the calendar and inaugural issue of Playboy magazine. Success as a photo model led Marilyn to her dream of becoming an actress. Unfortunately, her success as a Hollywood actress didn’t last long- from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, 1953 to Some Like It Hot, 1959, and was followed by her sudden death in 1962. The lifestyle of the actress/ model/ singer/ sex icon and her mysterious death at age 36 made her a Hollywood legend.

When I visited Los Angeles, I had a feeling that entire Hollywood is dedicated to Marilyn Monroe. Her images and name are everywhere- on the walls and streets, in the shops and museums… a half of The Hollywood Museum real estate is taken by Marilyn Monroe, another half – everybody else :)

Today I post these photos to honor the Star, a person who is and will ever be the most recognizable female figure in the history of our Civilization.

“We should all start to live before we get too old. Fear is stupid. So are regrets.”
― Marilyn Monroe

Click on image to view full size.

Marilyn Monroe's Hollywood

Marilyn Monroe’s Hollywood

Marilyn Monroe's Hollywood

Marilyn Monroe’s Hollywood

Marilyn Monroe's Hollywood

Marilyn Monroe’s Hollywood

Marilyn Monroe's Hollywood

Marilyn Monroe’s Hollywood

Marilyn Monroe's Hollywood

Marilyn Monroe’s Hollywood

Marilyn Monroe's Hollywood

Marilyn Monroe’s Hollywood

Marilyn Monroe's Hollywood

Marilyn Monroe’s Hollywood

Marilyn Monroe's Hollywood

Marilyn Monroe’s Hollywood

Marilyn Monroe's Hollywood

Marilyn Monroe’s Hollywood

Marilyn Monroe's Hollywood

Marilyn Monroe’s Hollywood

Marilyn Monroe's Hollywood

Marilyn Monroe’s Hollywood

Marilyn Monroe's Hollywood

Marilyn Monroe’s Hollywood