If you’re a fan of Marilyn Monroe then you’ll know that the Hollywood and cultural icon wasn’t always known as Marilyn. She was born Norma Jeane Mortenson, a name she would use during the early years of her career as a model. CBS New York has reported on the unveiling of a plaque to mark the site of one of her formative photoshoots, while commemorating the location’s role as an important stepping stone in her legendary rise to superstardom.
Then-23-year-old Norma Jeane visited Long Island’s Tobay Beach with her long-time collaborator, Hungarian-born American photographer André de Dienes, in June of 1949 to capture a series of pin-up style portraits against the locale’s blue skies and sandy shoreline. According to the new plaque, Marilyn was quoted as stating “Let’s make history!”
