Marilyn Monroe (June 1, 1926 – August 5, 1962) was an American actress of the 20th century. Her sizzling screen presence and premature death would make her a perennial sex symbol and later a pop icon.

She was born Norma Jeane Mortensen in the charity ward of Los Angeles County Hospital (now County-USC) in Los Angeles. Her grandmother, Della Monroe Grainger, later had her baptized Norma Jeane Baker by Aimee Semple McPherson. While biographers agree the man listed on her birth certificate, Martin Edward Mortensen, was not her biological father, her paternity has never been firmly established ... (read more )