Los Angeles to celebrate Marilyn Monroe 100th anniversary

Marilyn Monroe remains one of Hollywood’s most enduring legends, and Los Angeles, the capital of the US film industry, couldn’t miss such an anniversary and tribute to the star. 

The metropolis offers travelers a unique opportunity to explore the life and legacy of the iconic film star through a series of historic locations and cultural experiences connected to her career and personal story.

Born Norma Jeane Mortenson in Los Angeles in 1926, Marilyn Monroe rose to global fame during the 1950s and early 1960s with standout performances in classics such as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, How to Marry a Millionaire, The Seven Year Itch, and Some Like It Hot. Known initially for her comedic “blonde bombshell” persona, she later pursued serious acting, studying at the Actors Studio and earning critical acclaim for her dramatic performance in Bus Stop.

Despite her success, Monroe’s life ended tragically at age 36, and her legacy has since evolved into that of a cultural icon and enduring symbol of Hollywood glamour.

Major exhibition at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Commemorating the anniversary, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will present “Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon” from May 31, 2026, to February 28, 2027.

The exhibition celebrates Monroe as both a visionary actor and a skilled architect of her own image within the classical Hollywood studio system. Featuring hundreds of original objects—including posters, portraits, production documents, letters, and rarely seen personal materials—many displayed publicly for the first time, the exhibition offers new insight into her creative influence.

Highlights include screen-worn costumes spanning her career, from a dress featured in Love Happy (1949) to items from her final unfinished film Something’s Got to Give (1962), along with two Orry-Kelly designs from Some Like It Hot and the famous pink gown by William Travilla from Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. The exhibition is expected to become a major draw for film enthusiasts and cultural travelers alike.

A Monroe circuit

Beyond the museum experience, visitors can follow Monroe’s footsteps across Los Angeles. The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, where she lived early in her career, offers the Marilyn Monroe Suite overlooking the iconic Tropicana Pool, the site of her first professional photo shoot. The nearby Hollywood Museum houses one of the world’s most extensive collections of Monroe memorabilia, while the TCL Chinese Theatre features her handprints in the famed Forecourt of the Stars.

Historic dining venues such as Musso & Frank Grill, the Formosa Café, and Barney’s Beanery reflect the social scene of Monroe’s Hollywood years. Meanwhile, West Hollywood and Beverly Hills locations—including the Charlie Hotel, the Avalon Hotel, and the legendary Beverly Hills Hotel—highlight key moments in her personal life and career. Luxury travelers can also visit Hotel Bel-Air, where her final photo shoot, “The Last Sitting,” took place shortly before her death.

Many fans would finish their circuit at Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park, Monroe’s final resting place, remembering a star whose legacy continues to shape Hollywood and inspire generations of travelers.

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