“When I was five I think, that’s when I started wanting to be an actress.”
- June 1, 1926 – August 5, 1962
- American
- Actress, Singer, Model, Pop Culture Icon
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Quote
“When I was five I think, that’s when I started wanting to be an actress.”
Explanation
In this simple yet revealing statement, Marilyn Monroe traces her ambition to early childhood, suggesting that her dream of becoming an actress was born not out of fame or fortune, but from a deep and personal longing that began in innocence. The specificity of “when I was five” highlights how early this vision took root, and the phrasing—tentative and reflective—evokes the vulnerability of a young girl seeking escape, identity, or self-expression.
Monroe’s childhood was marked by instability, loneliness, and a lack of parental guidance. In that context, the dream of acting likely offered more than glamour; it became a path toward visibility, love, and transformation. Becoming an actress wasn’t just about being seen by others—it was about creating a new self, one that could survive and thrive in a world that often ignored or discarded her.
For many, this quote resonates as a reminder that our earliest dreams often stem from emotional truths, and that childhood aspirations can be deeply tied to hope, imagination, and the desire to be someone more. Monroe’s words illustrate how powerful and enduring those early desires can be, and how they shape not just careers, but the course of a life.
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