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Unpublished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