• LightBox

Happy Birthday, Bombshell: 85 Rare Images of Marilyn Monroe

2 minute read
By TIME

In honor of the screen siren’s 85th birthday, TIME looks back at the many faces of Marilyn — from barefoot starlet to sexy fashion iconBy Feifei Sun and Yumi Goto

Funny Face

Marilyn Monroe aboard a train from New York City to Warrensburg, N.Y., in June 1949.Archive Photos / Getty Images

Sleeping Beauty

Monroe taking a nap in New York City on March 24, 1955.Michael Ochs / Archives / Getty Images

Balcony with a View

Monroe looking out from New York's Ambassador Hotel in 1955.Michael Ochs / Archives / Getty Images

Dining Out

Monroe posing at a restaurant in New York City in 1955.Michael Ochs / Archives / Getty Images

Study Session

Monroe reads a script for a Clifford Odets movie, Clash by Night, for movie producer Jerry Wald.Bob Landry / Time Life Pictures / Getty Images

Chanel No. 5

Monroe dabs on some of Coco Chanel's famous perfume while getting ready to go see Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. In a famous quote, when asked what she wore to bed, the screen siren answered, " , of course."Michael Ochs / Archives / Getty Images

At Ease

Monroe has a smoke while relaxing in New York City.Michael Ochs / Archives / Getty Images

Brainy Beauty

In a New York restaurant in 1955, Monroe immerses herself in a book while reclining on a cozy couch. While known for her dumb-blonde roles, she was in fact very well-read.Michael Ochs / Archives / Getty Images

Backseat Talker

In this undated image, Monroe chats with Dick Shepherd in the back of a cab in New York City.Michael Ochs / Archives / Getty Images

Unpublished

An image from a shoot early in Monroe's career, photographed in Griffith Park, Los Angeles, 1950.Ed Clark / Time & Life Pictures / Getty Images

Center of Attention

Reporters hound Monroe on March 3, 1956 in Hollywood, Calif.Michael Ochs / Archives / Getty Images

Fun in the Sand

Monroe beachside during the 1940s.Sunset Boulevard / Corbis

Happy Days

Monroe cracking a wide smile in 1956.Hulton-Deutsch Collections / Corbis

Glamour Shot

Monroe striking a pose circa 1952.Michael Ochs / Archives / Getty Images

Leaving on a Jet Plane

In this undated image, Monroe poses for photographers at Idlewild Airport (now JFK International Airport).Bettmann / Corbis

Bookish Babe

In this undated image, Monroe reads at home.ALFRED EISENSTAEDT / Time Life Pictures

All Wrapped Up

Monroe snuggles inside her fur coat after landing at LaGuardia Airport in New York City in 1959.Bettmann / Corbis

That Little White Dress

One of the most memorable shots of Monroe, taken in New York on Sept. 16, 1954.Bettmann / Corbis

Metallic Marilyn

Monroe attends the opening of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, by Tennessee Williams, in a strapless evening gown in March 1955.Bettmann / CORBIS

Famous Friends

Monroe poses alongside Lauren Bacall, far left, and Humphrey Bogart at the premiere of How to Marry a Millionaire in 1953.Darlene Hammond / Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Cigarette Break

Monroe smokes on the set at the 20th Century Fox studios in 1954.Gene Lester / Getty Images

Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend

Monroe performs the famous musical number from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes in 1953.Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Lucky Dog

Monroe playing with a Chihuahua in Beverly Hills, Calif., on May 17, 1950.Michael Orchs / Archives / Corbis

Frontal View

Monroe in a nightgown on Oct. 14, 1954.Bettmann / Corbis

On Set

Monroe filming The Prince and the Showgirl in 1957.Sunset Boulevard / Corbis

Across the Pond

Monroe smiles during a press conference at the Savoy Hotel in London in July 1956.Hulton-Deutsch Collection / CORBIS

Subway Stunner

Monroe waits in New York City's Grand Central subway station in 1955.Michael Ochs / Archives / Getty Images

Action!

In the early 1950s, Monroe mugs on the set of How to Marry a Millionaire with fellow actor David Wayne.Sunset Boulevard / Corbis

Fashionably Late

Monroe arriving nearly 2½ hours late for a ceremony marking in New York in 1957.Bettmann / Corbis

Row of Reflections

Monroe rehearsing for a performance at New York City's Madison Square Garden in 1955.Bettmann / Corbis

Speedy Recovery

A cheered-up Monroe reads a get-well card from her then boyfriend, baseball legend Joe DiMaggio, after undergoing an operation in 1952.Bettmann / Corbis

Batter Up

In South Korea in 1954, Monroe poses with baseball players.Bettmann / Corbis

Set Break

Monroe shooting The River of No Return in 1954.Alamy / Sunset Boulevard / Corbis

Strike a Pose

A rare (undated) photo of Monroe lounging in Griffith Park in Los Angeles.ED CLARK / Time Life Pictures

In Profile

Monroe posing in a blue bikini top around 1955.CinemaPhoto / Corbis

O Canada

Monroe aboard the Million Dollar Special train in August 1953.Bettmann / Corbis

Movie-Star Good Looks

Monroe arrives at the premiere of There's No Business like Show Business in 1954.Murray Garrett / Getty Images

All About Marilyn

Monroe on the set of All About Eve in 1950.Sunset Boulevard / Corbis

Posing in Profile

Monroe at her most sultry, circa 1953.CinemaPhoto / Corbis

The Entertainer

The bombshell chats with U.S. troops in South Korea in February 1954.Bettmann / Corbis

Driver’s Seat

Monroe getting out of a car.ALFRED EISENSTAEDT / Time Life Pictures

Lady in Red

Monroe in a seductive pose, circa 1954.Baron / Getty Images

Little Black Dress

The icon posing in 1953.Sunset Boulevard / Corbis

Room with a View

Monroe in a polka-dot bikini, circa 1955.Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Dancing Queen

In bare feet, Monroe plays in a grassy field, circa 1955.Bettmann / Corbis

Hello, Hair

In this undated photo, Monroe touches up her 'do in front of a mirror.Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Bench Player

Monroe during a photo shoot in Los Angeles in August 1950.Ed Clark / Time and Life Pictures / Getty Images

Sitting and Sipping

In this undated image, Monroe enjoys a beverage at the Ambassador Hotel in New York.Michael Ochs / Archives / Getty Images

Wrapped Up

In this undated image, Monroe's robe reads "The Ambassador."Michael Ochs / Archives / Getty Images

Fit for a Movie Star

In this undated image, Monroe chats in a dressing room at New York City's Madison Square Garden.Michael Ochs / Archives / Getty Images

Taking the Tough Questions

The star at a press conference in London's Savoy Hotel in 1956.Popperfoto / Getty Images

Elephant in the Room

Monroe atop a pink pachyderm at Madison Square Garden in 1955.Michael Ochs / Archives / Getty Images

Bikini Babe

The blonde bombshell, circa 1951.Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Officer Monroe

The star posing with troops in South Korea in 1954.Bettmann / Corbis

May I Have Your Autograph, Please?

Monroe signs a photo of herself, circa 1955.Hulton Archive / Getty Images

R&R

Monroe relaxing at home.Alfred Eisenstaedt / Time Life Pictures

Filming Break

Monroe on the set of The Seven Year Itch in 1954.Bettmann / Corbis

Departure

Monroe in 1956 at Idlewild Airport (now JFK International Airport) just before heading to Los Angeles to work on a new film.Bettmann / Corbis

Breaking the Rules

An "unauthorized" Monroe at NBC Studios in August 1952.Bettmann / Corbis

On Board

Monroe leaving to film The Billionaire in 1959.Bettmann / Corbis

Sun-Kissed Smile

Monroe poses for the photographer known as Baron in Palm Springs, Calif., in 1954.Hulton-Deutsch Collection / Corbis

Aspiring Lifeguard

Monroe poolside in 1952.Bettmann / Corbis

Swimsuit Style

Monroe signs an autograph for a fan in 1952.Bettmann / Corbis

Joe Hearts Marilyn

Monroe in Hollywood on April 15, 1954, with a framed photo of then husband DiMaggio in view.Bettmann / Corbis

How Do My Glasses Look?

A bespectacled Monroe in 1954.Bettmann / Corbis

Peekaboo

In South Korea, Monroe changes in a makeshift dressing room.Bettmann / Corbis

All Dolled Up

A 1955 image of Monroe posing by a window.Gene Lester / Getty Images

Pausing and Posing

Monroe on a break during the filming of Love Nest in 1951.Bettmann / Corbis

Lounging and Laughing

Circa 1953, Monroe poses in a bathing suit and heels.Michael Ochs / Archives / Getty Images

Monroe for Miller

The actress in 1957 during her then husband Arthur Miller's trial on charges of contempt of Congress.Bettmann / Corbis

Twice the Fun

Monroe with twin girls at the March of Dimes fashion show in 1958.Bettmann / Corbis

Stunning in Stripes

The bombshell poses in 1954.Baron / Getty Images

Heads Up

Monroe admiring the artwork at a New York City restaurant in 1955.Michael Ochs / Archives / Getty Images

Casual Stance

Monroe in a sweater and pants in 1955.Hulton Archive / Getty Images

On Edge

Monroe strikes a more nervous stance here.Hulton Archive / Getty Images

Center of Attention

The actress at the focal point of the stage.Keystone Features / Getty Images/ Hulton Archive

Strike a Pose, Take Two

Monroe shooting Let's Make Love in 1960.John Bryson / Sygma / Corbis

A Ladylike Laugh

Monroe at the Henrietta award party at the Club Del Mar.LOOMIS DEAN / Time Life Pictures

Happy Birthday, Mr. President

Monroe's famous rendition of "Happy Birthday," which she sang to President John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden on May 19, 1962.YALE JOEL / Time Life Pictures

Getting Made Up

Monroe on set in 1960.John Bryson / Sygma / Corbis

View from Behind

Monroe shooting Let's Make Love in 1960.John Bryson / Sygma / Corbis

Puppy Love

Monroe posing with a small dog in 1962.Bettmann / Corbis

Skinny Dip

In this famous nude scene, her first for a film, Monroe takes a swim in Something's Got to Give, which was never completed because of Monroe's untimely death at the age of 36.Bettmann / Corbis

Parting Shot

Monroe during the filming of The Misfits in 1961, in one of the final images of the actress before her death.Bettmann / Corbis

Bombshell Beauty Routine

Monroe fixing her hair in at New York hotel in 1955.Michael Ochs / Archives / Getty Images

More Must-Reads from TIME

Contact us at letters@time.com