“I’m looking forward to becoming a marvelous – excuse the word marvelous – character actress. like Marie Dressler, like Will Rogers.”
- June 1, 1926 – August 5, 1962
- American
- Actress, Singer, Model, Pop Culture Icon
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Quote
“I’m looking forward to becoming a marvelous – excuse the word marvelous – character actress. like Marie Dressler, like Will Rogers.”
Explanation
In this quote, Marilyn Monroe shares her aspiration to transition from a glamorous starlet into a respected character actress, drawing inspiration from iconic figures like Marie Dressler and Will Rogers, who were celebrated for their authenticity, depth, and emotional range. Her comment “excuse the word marvelous” reveals a touch of humility or self-consciousness—perhaps mocking how often such adjectives are casually used, yet also signaling her genuine admiration for the craft of acting.
Monroe’s desire to become a character actress signals a rejection of being typecast purely for her looks, and a yearning for substance, longevity, and artistic fulfillment. Both Dressler and Rogers were known not for their conventional beauty, but for their ability to connect with audiences through wit, wisdom, and emotional truth. By aligning herself with them, Monroe expresses a wish to be remembered not as a fantasy, but as a performer with depth and integrity.
Today, this quote remains a powerful reminder of the challenges actors—especially women—face in breaking free from image-based roles to pursue meaningful work. It shows Monroe’s ambition to evolve beyond stereotype, to build a legacy based on skill and soul, and it underscores her enduring struggle to be seen as more than a symbol. Her dream of becoming a “marvelous character actress” was not only about performance—it was about claiming her rightful place as a true artist.
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