Marilyn Monroe 100 Years in Los Angeles

Celebrating 100 Years of Marilyn Monroe: A Star’s Enduring Legacy

From Los Angeles to Palm Springs, Special Events and Iconic Locations Honor the Hollywood Legend

Born Norma Jean Mortenson on June 1, 1926, and passing away on August 4, 1962, Marilyn Monroe remains one of the world’s most iconic figures. As her centennial approaches, Los Angeles is preparing a host of activities to honor her remarkable life and career. Popular attractions like The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures and The Hollywood Museum are expected to take center stage. They will be offering fans and visitors alike a chance to celebrate Monroe’s enduring influence on film and culture.  

Just two hours east of Hollywood, Palm Springs will also join in the commemoration. The city plans several special events, and visitors can’t miss the massive “Forever Marilyn” statue in downtown Palm Springs. This breathtaking sculpture is set against the San Jacinto mountains and serves as a lasting tribute to her stardom.

Marilyn’s Life Around Los Angeles

Marilyn Monroe’s vibrant life touched many. Sometimes known as a nomad, she rarely stayed in one place for long. In the Los Angeles area alone, fans can trace her steps through a variety of notable sites: The Roosevelt Hotel, The Beverly Hills Hotel, apartments in West Hollywood, a cozy home shared with Joe DiMaggio in Beverly Hills, and Brentwood—the place where her story came to a poignant end.

Her presence was also felt in classic LA eateries, including Formosa Café, Musso & Frank, Villa Nova (now the Rainbow Bar & Grill), and Barney’s Beanery. Each of these legendary spots remains open, providing visitors a chance to dine where Marilyn once did and soak in the old Hollywood atmosphere. Even The Comedy Store on the Sunset Strip has Marilyn history. This is because it was once the massively popular nightclub, Ciro’s.

No celebration of Monroe would be complete without a visit to her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame or her handprints and footprints at TCL Chinese Theatre. Find Marilyn along Jane Russell in 1953 for their film “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.”

Marilyn Monroe rests at a peaceful cemetery in Westwood. Her crypt neighbor is none other than Playboy founder Hugh Hefner. The cemetery is also the final resting place of several other well-known individuals. Like Monroe, they lived lives touched by both acclaim and tragedy. They include Bettie Page, Dorothy Stratten, and Farrah Fawcett.

Marilyn Monroe Tour of Los Angeles 

If you’re a devoted fan or simply curious about Monroe’s fascinating history, let Tour du Jour of Beverly Hills be your guide. Explore the many corners of Los Angeles that shaped and were shaped by this timeless superstar! Join the city in celebrating a century of Marilyn Monroe’s cultural magic.