The Evolution of Marilyn Monroe's Stage Name and Its Impact on Her Career

In June 1946, Marilyn Monroe took a significant step in her career by signing a contract with an acting agency through her representative, Snively. This move came after an unsuccessful interview at Paramount Pictures, which did not yield the desired results. However, her fortunes changed when Ben Lyon, a 20th Century-Fox executive, offered her a screen test. Although the head executive, Darryl F. Zanuck, was not particularly impressed, he recognized the potential in Monroe and provided her with a standard six-month contract. This decision was strategic, aimed at preventing her from being signed by the competing studio, RKO Pictures. Monroe's contract officially commenced in August 1946, marking the beginning of her rise to stardom. During this time, she and Lyon collaborated to create her iconic stage name, 'Marilyn Monroe.' The first name was inspired by the Broadway star Marilyn Miller, while 'Monroe' was derived from her mother's maiden name. This pivotal moment laid the foundation for what would become one of the most recognizable names in Hollywood history. #mooflife #mof #MomentOfLife #MarilynMonroe #HollywoodHistory #ActingCareer #20thCentury-fox #StageName