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it’s possible for you to clock a Marilyn impersonator from a mile away.
The image of Marilyn Monroe has become more iconic (and more marketable) than her actual work.
There have been countless films and series made about Monroes life.
22.Charlotte Sullivan,The Kennedys(2011)
22.
21.Melody Anderson,Marilyn & Bobby: Her Final Affair(1993)
21.
Monroes purported affair with the Kennedys is the least interesting thing about her (and them).
To be avoided at all costs unless one needs a strong sleeping aid.
20.Sophie Monk,The Mystery of Natalie Wood(2004)
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Lets be honest: This one isnt about Marilyn at all.
And they dont even get the wig right.
19.Barbara Niven,The Rat Pack(1998)
19.
In this character-actor-studded biopic (Ray Liotta, Don Cheadle,andJoe Mantegna!)
about the Rat Pack, Monroe is but an afterthought and a crass one at that.
18.Constance Forslund,This Years Blonde(1980)
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17.Susan Griffiths,Marilyn and Me(1991)
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16.Misty Rowe,Goodbye, Norma Jean(1976)
16.
The first small-screen biopic of Monroe starts by declaring, ambitiously, This is how it happened.
Soft-core-porn Muzak underlines most scenes, including Misty Rowes empowerment monologue.
Thats the kindest I can be.
14.Stephanie Anderson,Calendar Girl(1993)
14.
13.Jodi Fleisher,Tropico(2013)
13.
Lana Del Reys dreamy, pink-drenched short film premiered at the Cinerama Dome in 2013.
Which is Del Reys entire appeal.
I go along with nature.
12.Blake Lively, G.G.,Gossip Girl(2012)
12.
Lively does her impression with the cheeky delight of someone who isnt aiming very high.
The bleach-blonde bob looks great on her, but Livelys face belongs to the aughts.
Its a karaoke take on a classic.
11.Catherine Hicks,Marilyn: The Untold Story(1980)
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10.Mira Sorvino,Norma Jean & Marilyn(1996)
10.
She fails to understand what made Monroe so appealing and instead drowns her in tragedy.
9.Ana de Armas,Blonde(2022)
9.
However, her Monroe is one note, and that note ismisery.
Shes always crying, always begging for permission, forgiveness, or love.
8.Uma Thurman, Katharine McPhee, Megan Hilty,Smash(201213)
8.
It also lays the groundwork for much ambitious backstabbing, which is always a plus.
7.Madonna, Material Girl (1984)
7.
Listen, no one loves Monroe more than Madonna.
6.Samantha Morton,Mister Lonely(2007)
6.
Samantha Morton could play a shark if she wanted to.
She brings Michael Jackson (Diego Luna) into the fold, and quietly, they fall in love.
5.Poppy Montgomery,Blonde(2001)
5.
Montgomery plays her with kindness but can never quite embody anything other than the tragedy of Monroe.
4.Ashley Judd,Norma Jean & Marilyn(1996)
4.
Even after Marilyn emerges into being, primped and bleached by Hollywood studio execs, Norma Jeane plagues her.
Judd brings something to her take no other actress had at this point: ease in her own skin.
She comfortably disrobes and poses for the famous nude that would end up inPlayboy.
She uses her lovers to advance her career shamelessly and openly.
Norma Jeane becomes Marilyns ghost and harshest critic.
Perhaps Judd overplays her ferocity, but its refreshing to see a take on Monroe that eschews tragedy porn.
3.Theresa Russell,Insignificance(1985)
3.
They are unnamed but instantly recognizable.
2.Kelli Garner,The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe(2015)
2.
1.Michelle Williams,My Week With Marilyn(2011)
1.
