The real Marilyn. This photo was taken by Bert Stern just six weeks before her death. A copy of the photo is estimated to be wroth about $3,000.
Who is the most iconic movie star of all time? Stupid question. I’ll bet you already know. There’s really not much competition.
The legend that is Marilyn Monroe just keeps growing. No other movie actor, living or dead, has her fame. Though she died fifty years ago this year, her celebrity endures. Other stars have faded, but Marilyn keeps shining like a supernova.
The proof? Marilyn has been resurrected more times than anyone else by far, at least 25 different times—and counting. Nobody else has been so widely imitated, but never duplicated. Here’s a list of all the reincarnations of Marilyn that I found.
Michelle Williams earned an Oscar nomination for her role as Monroe in My Week With Marilyn.
Ashley Judd play the young Marilyn in Norma Jean and Marilyn in 1996.
Mira Sorvino played the older Marilyn in the same movie.
Lindsey Lohan recreated the 1962 Marilyn photo shoot for a cover for New York magazine.
Nicole Kidman did a photo shoot as Marilyn for the cover of Australian Harper’s Bazaar in 2008.
Misty Rowe of TV’s Hee-Haw, did two movies about Marilyn, Goodbye Norma Jean and Goodnight, Sweet Marilyn.
Anna Nicole Smith was Marilyn in an advertising campaign for PETA.
Cathine Hicks played Monroe in 1980 in the TV movie Marilyn: The Untold Story.
Melody Anderson was Marilyn in the 1993 film, Marilyn and Bobby, Her Final Affair.
Barbara Niven had the part of Marilyn in the 1998 made for TV movie The Rat Pack.
Australian actress Poppy Montgomery had the part of Marilyn in the mini series Blonde in 2000.
Another Australian actress, Sophie Monk portrayed Marilyn in 2004’s The Mystery of Natalie Wood.
Charlottte Sullivan was Marilyn in the 2011 TV movie The Kennedys.
Pam Anderson dressed up as Marilyn for an appearance on Dancing With The Stars.
On Gossip Girl, Blake Lively did an number as Marilyn.
Jennifer Lopez appeared as Marilyn on Tonight to sing a birthday song for George Lopez.
Susan Griffiths was Marilyn in the movie Marilyn and Me.
Mariah Carey mimiced Marilyn for her music video I Still Believe.
Lucille Ball dolled up as Marilyn for an episode of I Love Lucy.
Madonna morphed into Marilyn for her music video Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.
Naomi Watts plays Marilyn in the yet to be released movie Blonde.
Connie Stevens played a thinly disguised Marilyn in The Sex Symbol.
Uma Thurman is one of three different actresses who portrayed Marilyn on the recent TV drama Smash.
24, Katharine McPhee also played Marilyn on Smash.
25. And Megan Hilty was the third actress to portray Marilyn on Smash.
bridgesareforburning 
Anna Nicole Smith came the closest ~
Wow, Ron. Thanks for sharing this. It certainly took a lot of effort and research on your part. They can all try…but no cigar. The funniest was Lucille Ball. How ironic …earlier tonight, I posted a favorite photo of Marilyn on my FB page.
Dear Ron,
Nice post and pictures. If you haven’t had the pleasure of seeing Wonder Boys with Tobey Maguire, Michael Douglas, Frances McDormand, Katie holmes, Richard Thomas, Robert Downey Jr., and more, please do yourself a favor and check it out. Though she doesn’t make an appearance save in a still photo, Marilyn Monroe plays a big role in the movie, plus it is a writer’s film that will have you rolling around in apoplectic convulsions.
Aloha,
Doug,
i tried watching “my week with marilyn” but i just couldn’t get into it. but i like the sound of “wonder boys” from doug’s suggestion.
Nice tribute, Ron. I’m sending this to my MM friends. Marlyn is a special lady, for sure. Ive really enjoyed ‘Smash’. The research must have killed you!
Lucy looked great!
Wonder Boys is a great movie…..this is a nice tribute….Marilyn….no one like her…never will be…
Good one, great Job
Lisa Marie Presley did a photo shoot as Marilyn too!!
Great list! I really didn’t like My Week With Marilyn. At all.
I think Poppy Montgomery has portrayed her the most accurately so far, though i’d love to see Christina Hendricks tackle that role.
Strange – I never thought Poppy Montgomery looked like Marilyn. But in the red swimsuit she really does – to the extent that it’s hard to believe it’s not really Marilyn.
Everyone else just has on a blonde wig and a “beauty mark” and the dress from Seven Year Itch or Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.