Those close to Monroe remembered a private life very different from her screen persona. She often lived as Norma Jean — without makeup or elaborate grooming — and the collection highlights how she crafted Marilyn as a public character rather than a passive victim.
Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon, featuring the check and other personal items, will be on view at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures from May 31, 2026, to Feb. 28, 2027.