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Marilyn Monroe
38 quotes
“I had the radio on.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) first seen 1949 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in TIME magazine when "asked if she had nothing on in the photograph [for a 1949 calendar]" ("Something for the Boys." Time 60, no. 6 (August 11, 1952): 90)
“Everyone's childhood plays itself out. No wonder no one knows the other or can completely understand. By this, I don't know if I'm just giving up with this conclusion or resigning myself — or maybe for the first time connecting with reality. How do we know the pain or another's earlier years, let alone all that he drags with him since along the way at best a lot of leeways is needed for the other — yet how much is unhealthy for one to bear? I think to love bravely is the best and accept — as much as one can bear.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) first seen 1958 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Marilyn's diaries (1958), as quoted in Fragments (2010), by Stanley Buchthal and Bernard Comment
“For life: It is rather a determination not to be overwhelmed. For work: The truth can only be recalled, never invented.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Marilyn's diaries, as quoted in Fragments (2010), by Stanley Buchthal and Bernard Comment
“It's a bad habit, I know, but I believe that you shouldn't do anything in life until you're ready. Half of life's heartaches come from decisions made in a hurry. One should make haste slowly.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) first seen 1960 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On her lack of punctuality, as quoted in "Tardy but Talented" by James Bacon (AP), The Louisville Courier-Journal (July 17, 1960), p. 84
“I know I will never be happy but I know I can be gay! Remember I told you Kazan said I was the gayest girl he ever knew; believe me, he has known many. But he loved me for one year and once rocked me to sleep one night when I was in great anguish. He also suggested that I go into analysis and later wanted me to work with Lee Strasberg. Was it Milton who wrote: "The happy ones were never born"? I know at least two psychiatrists who are looking for a more positive approach.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) first seen 1961 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: In a letter to her psychiatrist, Dr. Ralph Greenson, in 1961, quoted in Marilyn's Last Sessions (2010) by Michel Schneider
“I'm a failure as a woman. My men expect so much of me, because of the image they've made of me — and that I've made of myself — as a sex symbol. They expect bells to ring and whistles to whistle, but my anatomy is the same as any other woman's and I can't live up to it.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) first seen 1962 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Statement c. 1962, as quoted in Marilyn (1992) by Peter Harry Brown and Patte B. Barham, Ch. 30
“Unfortunately, I am involved in a freedom ride protesting the loss of the minority rights belonging to the few remaining earthbound stars. All we demanded was our right to twinkle.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) first seen 1962 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Telegram, turning down a party invitation from Mr. and Mrs. Robert F. Kennedy (13 June 1962)
“I think that when you are famous every weakness is exaggerated. ... Goethe said, "Talent is developed in privacy," you know? And it's true. ... Creativity has got to start with humanity and when you're a human being, you feel, you suffer. You're gay, you're sick, you're nervous or whatever.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) first seen 1962 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Marilyn Monroe Pours Her Heart Out" interview by Richard Meryman, in Life (3 August 1962)
“Say goodbye to Pat, say goodbye to the president, and say goodbye to yourself because you're a nice guy. ... I'll see, I'll see.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) first seen 1962 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Last words to Peter Lawford (5 August 1962), as quoted at Spiegel Online
“Please don't make me a joke. End the interview with what I believe. I don't mind making jokes, but I don't want to look like one... I want to be an artist, an actress with integrity... If fame goes by, so long, I've had you, fame. If it goes by, I've always known it was fickle. So at least it's something I experienced, but that's not where I live.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) first seen 1962 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Her last taped interview, with Richard Meryman, was published in LIFE magazine two days before her death. (3 August 1962); quoted in Ms. magazine (August 1972)
“Say good-bye to Pat, say good-bye to Jack and say good-bye to yourself, because you're a nice guy.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) first seen 1962 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Last words to actor Peter Lawford (5 August 1962), as quoted in US News & World Report (7 October 1985)
“An actress is not a machine, but they treat you like a machine. A money machine.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Ms. magazine (August 1972) p. 38
“Why? — It paid the rent.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On why she had posed nude for a calendar photograph, quoted in Ms. magazine (August 1972) p. 39
“I restore myself when I'm alone. A career is born in public — talent in privacy.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Ms. magazine (August 1972) p. 40
“That's the trouble, a sex symbol becomes a thing. But if I'm going to be a symbol of something, I'd rather it be sex than some of the things we've got symbols of... I hate to be a thing.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Comment on her sex symbol status, quoted in Ms. magazine (August 1972) p. 40
“I'm not interested in money, I just want to be wonderful.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Ms. magazine (August 1972) p. 41
“The studio people want me to do "Goodbye Charlie" for the movies, but I'm not going to do it. I don't like the idea of playing a man in a woman's body — you know? It just doesn't seem feminine.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On turning down a role, eventually played by Debbie Reynolds, as quoted in Ms. magazine (August 1972) p. 41
“First, I'm trying to prove to myself that I'm a person. Then maybe I'll convince myself that I'm an actress.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Ms. magazine (August 1972) p. 42
“The truth is I've never fooled anyone. I've let men sometimes fool themselves. Men sometimes didn't bother to find out who and what I was. Instead, they would invent a character for me. I wouldn't argue with them. They were obviously loving somebody I wasn't. When they found this out, they would blame me for disillusioning them — and fooling them.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: My Story (1974; co-written with Ben Hecht; 2007 edition), p. 133
“If you get massages, you'll never need another sleeping pill.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Marilyn Monroe Confidential (1980) by Lena Pepitone and William Stedien p. 172
“Dogs never bite me. Just humans.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "A Beautiful Child" in Music for Chameleons (1980) by Truman Capote
“I don't know who invented the high heel, but all women owe him a lot. Excuse the pun, but it was the high heel that gave a big lift to my career.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in "When it comes to shoes, practicality often takes a back seat" by Mary T. Schmich, The Orlando Sentinel (November 9, 1983), p. 51
“The body is meant to be seen, not all covered up.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Handwritten note responding to a question about posing nude, as quoted in International Herald Tribune (5 October 1984)
“Husbands are chiefly good as lovers when they are betraying their wives.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words (1983), edited by Roger Taylor
“My work is the only ground I've ever had to stand on. I seem to have a whole superstructure with no foundation — but I'm working on the foundation.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words (1983), edited by Roger Taylor
“Hollywood's a place where they'll pay you a thousand dollars for a kiss, and fifty cents for your soul. I know, because I turned down the first offer often enough and held out for the fifty cents.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Marilyn Monroe: In Her Own Words (1983), edited by Roger Taylor
“When you're famous you kind of run into human nature in a raw kind of way. It stirs up envy, fame does. People, you run into feel that, well, who does she think she is, Marilyn Monroe? They feel fame gives them some kind of privilege to walk up to you and say anything to you, of any kind of nature — and it won't hurt your feelings — like it's happening to your clothes, not you.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Comment on fame, quoted in Marilyn Monroe: A Life of the Actress (1993) by Carl E. Rollyson, and in Symbolic Leaders: Public Dramas and Public Men (2006) by Orrin Edgar Klapp
“Success makes so many people hate you. I wish it wasn't that way. It would be wonderful to enjoy success without seeing envy in the eyes of those around you.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in The Films of Barbra Streisand (2001) by Christopher Nickens and Karen Swenson
“I sleep in the nude but I pull the sheets up.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Jock Carroll, "Rare Marilyn: a portfolio work by 20 photographers", American Photo (May - June 1997)
“I guess I never felt I affected people until I was in Korea.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Marilyn: a biography (1973) by Norman Mailer p. 21
“The sweaters were hand-me-downs. They were too small for me, and I guess that's what made everyone take notice. But it made me feel important. Men were looking at me for the first time. And I liked it. I felt good in them. And when I felt how tight they held me in, I quit wearing a bra.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in The Life and Curious Death of Marilyn Monroe (1974) by Robert F. Slatzer p. 67
“Elizabeth Taylor converted too. So we're both Jewish.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Marilyn Monroe Confidential (1980) by Lena Pepitone and William Stedian p. 185
“People have curious attitudes about nudity just as they have about sex. Nudity and sex are the most commonplace things in the world. Yet people often act as if they were things that only existed on Mars.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in My Story (2006) by Marilyn Monroe and Ben Hecht p. 60
“It's far better to be unhappy alone than unhappy with someone — so far.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“It stirs up envy, fame does. People, you run into feel that, well, who does she think she is, Marilyn Monroe? They feel fame gives them some kind of privilege to walk up to you and say anything to you, of any kind of nature — and it won't hurt your feelings — like it's happening to your clothes, not you.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“A career is wonderful, but you can't curl up with it on a cold night.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“Arthur Miller wouldn't have married me if I had been nothing but a dumb blonde.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“People had a habit of looking at me as if I were some kind of mirror instead of a person. They didn't see me, they saw their lewd thoughts, then they white-masked themselves by calling me the lewd one.”
Marilyn Monroe (1926–1962) said by 1962 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source