Marilyn Monroe | Biography, Death, Movies, & Facts | Britannica

Last year and death

In 1962 Monroe began filming the comedy Something’s Got to Give. However, she was frequently absent from the set because of illnesses, and in May she traveled to New York City to attend a gala where she famously sang “Happy Birthday” to Pres. John F. Kennedy, with whom she was allegedly having an affair. In June Monroe was fired from the film. Although she was later rehired, work never resumed.

After several months as a virtual recluse, Monroe died from an overdose of sleeping pills (barbiturates) in her Los Angeles home. Her death was ruled a “probable suicide,” and this finding was supported by the actress’s history of drug use and previous suicide attempts. However, some believed that she had been killed after threatening to reveal her relationship with the Kennedy brothers—she was also rumored to have had an affair with U.S. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy—or that she had information linking the two men to organized crime. Although there was insufficient evidence to support these claims, conspiracy theories persisted.

Quick Facts Original name: Norma Jeane Mortenson (Show more) Later called: Norma Jeane Baker (Show more) Jeane sometimes spelled: Jean (Show more) Born: June 1, 1926, Los Angeles, California, U.S. (Show more) Found dead: August 5, 1962, Los Angeles (aged 36) (Show more) Notable Family Members: spouse Joe DiMaggio spouse Arthur Miller (Show more) Married To: James Dougherty (1942–1946) Arthur Miller (1956–1961) Joe DiMaggio (1954–1955) (Show more) Movies/Tv Shows (Acted In): "Some Like It Hot" (1959) "Clash by Night" (1952) "Monkey Business" (1952) "The Jack Benny Program" (1952) "The Seven Year Itch" (1955) "There's No Business Like Show Business" (1954) "River of No Return" (1954) "The Misfits" (1961) "Love Happy" (1949) "The Prince and the Showgirl" (1957) "Bus Stop" (1956) "The Fireball" (1950) "Let's Make Love" (1960) "As Young as You Feel" (1951) "Love Nest" (1951) "Home Town Story" (1951) "How to Marry a Millionaire" (1953) "Let's Make It Legal" (1951) "We're Not Married!" (1952) "O. Henry's Full House" (1952) "The Asphalt Jungle" (1950) "Niagara" (1953) "Dangerous Years" (1947) "Don't Bother to Knock" (1952) "Ladies of the Chorus" (1948) "All About Eve" (1950) "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes" (1953) (Show more) Movies/Tv Shows (Writing/Creator): "Love, Marilyn" (2012) (Show more) On the Web: Turner Classic Movies - Marilyn Monroe (Jan. 12, 2026) (Show more) See all related content Show More