TIMELINE 1949
Marilyn Meets Tom Kelley
On May 27, 1949, an out of work and broke, Monroe posed nude for photographer Tom Kelley at his studio in Hollywood, California. Agreeing to the session under the condition that Kelley’s wife, Natalie, attend the shoot, Monroe signed the model release as “Mona Monroe” and earned a paltry $50. Neither the photographer, nor 22-year old Monroe realized the historic moment they were creating.
Soon after the Red Velvet Photo shoot Marilyn makes a small walk-on role in the Marx Brothers film Love Happy.