Was Marilyn Monroe a Gambler?

She was born June 1, 1926 in Los Angeles, CA. Her childhood was spent in foster homes and an orphanage. Life was not normal for Norma Jean Mortenson, who would become known to the world as Marilyn Monroe.

Norma -- or should I refer to her as Marilyn -- grew up in the greater Los Angeles area. She met a photographer while in her teens and became a model. She married James Dougherty at the age of 16 and divorced him four years later because there was no room in her life for a young husband.

Norma Jean wanted stardom and she knew how to get it. She would use her body and sex to make it to the top.

While living in Hollywood, CA. in the late 1960s, I met a young guy at my apartment complex. He cheerfully described himself as a gigolo and said he made his living by dating older wealthy women.

He and Marilyn, he claimed, had met and became lovers. He described some of their romantic encounters and said, 'She didn't like to kiss. She didn't think she was a good kisser. But she loved oral sex.'

After Norma Jean posed nude for a calendar, the world suddenly took notice of her. She launched an acting career and made romantic love-spoofs that went over well with the public -- 'Monkey Business,' 'As Young As You Feel,' 'Don't Bother To Knock,' 'Bus Stop,' 'Niagara,' 'The Prince And The Showgirl,' 'Some Like It Hot,' 'Hjow To Marry A Millionaire,' 'Let's Make Love' and 'The Misfits.'

''The Misfits,' co-starring Clark Gable and Montgomery Clift, was filmed between Reno and Virginia City, NV.

A late friend of mine, Arthur Winfield Knight, was a published poet and teacher of creative writing. He wrote a book about the filming of 'The Misfits,' which was directed by John Huston.

Knight interviewed people in the area where the movie was made. Some of the people had even worked as extras in the film. They described Marilyn as lovable and fun to be around. They said she enjoyed gambling and played blackjack, poker and the slots in local casinos.

She also had a penchant for gambling when she starred in 'Bus Stop,' along with Don Murray as a rodeo cowboy determined to make her his wife. The screenplay was written by William Inge, who also wrote 'Picnic' and 'Come Back Little Sheeby.' I met Inge in Phoenix while working as a reporter for the Phoenix Gazette. My editor Vic Thornton assigned me to review a play about prisons and homosexuality that Inge had written and was being staged at the Phoenix Little Theater.

I saw the play, thought it was poorly staged, and wrote a scathing review about it. Six months later; an alcoholic and drug user, committed suicide.

Marilyn was married three times. Her two other husbands were baseball legend Joe Dimaggio and playwright Arthur Miller. All three ended in divorce.

Norma Jean Mortenson died on Aug. 10, 1962 zfter taking an overdose of barbirutates. She was 36 years old. She is buried at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles.