The Legendary Stars That Won Marilyn Monroe’s Admiration

Marilyn Monroe is one of the most famous stars in Hollywood history. She rose to fame quickly after her debut in 1947 and made a strong impression in the 1950 John Huston film The Asphalt Jungle, acting alongside Sterling Hayden and Louis Calhern.

That same year, she appeared in All About Eve, an Academy Award-winning drama that helped cement her status as a rising star. The 1950s were a huge decade for Monroe. She became a global icon with her roles in comedies like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and Some Like It Hot. Her image was known all over the world, and she came to symbolize American charm and energy.

Because of her fame, almost every big star wanted to work with her. She shared the screen with Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis, and Montgomery Clift, among others. But despite acting with so many legends, only one actor made it onto her personal list of favorites: Clark Gable.

Known as The King of Hollywood, Gable won an Oscar in 1935 for It Happened One Night and later starred with Monroe in The Misfits, her final completed film. Monroe admired him deeply and often said he influenced how she understood fame and movie stardom. But her favorite actors didn’t stop there. She also named two stars she never worked with: Marlon Brando and Charlie Chaplin.

Brando was a groundbreaking method actor who earned eight Oscar nominations and won for On the Waterfront and The Godfather. Monroe admired his dedication to acting and the emotional depth he brought to his roles. Charlie Chaplin, the silent film genius, made classics like Modern Times and The Great Dictator.

His mix of comedy and emotion inspired generations of actors, including Gene Wilder and Jim Carrey. For Monroe, these three men represented the best of acting. Each had a unique style, but all of them brought a strong energy and presence to the screen. Even decades after her passing, people remain fascinated by Monroe and her life.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of her birth. To celebrate, the National Portrait Gallery in London will open a major exhibition called Marilyn Monroe: A Portrait on June 4. It will feature rare photographs by Cecil Beaton and Philippe Halsman, along with personal items like scripts and clothing.

Monroe’s life continues to inspire new projects. An immersive experience called Becoming Marilyn Monroe will premiere this year, using projection mapping to recreate a 1950s Hollywood studio. The show lets audiences see how Norma Jeane transformed into Marilyn Monroe, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at her rise to stardom.

Recent portrayals, such as Ana de Armas in Blonde, have kept her story in the public eye. Meanwhile, new books, films, and exhibitions continue to explore her life and the woman behind the legend.

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