Once upon a time in Hollywood, Marilyn Monroe was the brightest star: A paradoxical combination of sex appeal and childlike innocence, the blonde bombshell captivated audiences with her "wiggle." But all she really wanted was to be taken serious as an actress. Her talent shone through the typecasting, launching a meteoric rise from "cheesecake queen" to box-office smash in 1953. That year, she broke out with three of her most acclaimed performances in Niagara, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and How to Marry a Millionaire. With nowhere to go but up, sadly, Marilyn's troubles dismantled her dreams, and ultimately ended her life in 1962. "Fame has a special burden," she revealed in her final interview, with Life magazine. "I don't mind being burdened with being glamorous and sexual. But what goes with it can be a burden."