Probably the most famous of all actresses, Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jean Mortenson on June 1, 1926 at Los Angeles General Hospital. Before she was born, Marilyn's father bought a motorcycle and headed north to San Francisco, abandoning the family in Los Angeles. Marilyn grew up not knowing for sure who her father really was. Her mother, Gladys, had been in several relationships, further confusing her daughter as to who her father was. Afterward, Gladys named Norma Jean (Marian) after Baker, a boyfriend she had before Mortenson. Poverty was a constant companion for Gladys and Norma. Gladys, who was extremely attractive and worked for RKO Studios as a film editor, suffered from mental illness and was in mental institutions for the rest of her life, and because of this Norma Jean spent time with families reception. At the age of nine, she was placed in an orphanage where she remained for the next two years. After being released from the orphanage, she went to another foster home. In 1942, at the age of 16, Norma Jean married 21-year-old James Dougherty, an aircraft factory worker. The marriage lasted only four years and they divorced in 1946. Around this time, Marilyn began modeling swimsuits and bleaching her hair blonde. Various shots were made public, where some were eventually seen by Howard Hughes, head of RKO Pictures. He offers Marilyn a screen test, but an agent suggests that 20th Century-Fox would be the best choice for her, as it is a much larger and more prestigious studio. She signed a contract for $125 per week for a period of six months and this was increased by $25 per week at the end of that period when her contract was extended. Her film debut came in 1947 with a small role in The Shocking Miss. Pilgrim (1947). His next production was little better, somewhat in the eminently forgettable Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay! (1948). Two of the three brief scenes she appeared in ended up in the editing room. Later that year, she received a slightly better role as Evie in Dangerous Years (1947). However, Fox refused to renew her contract, so she returned to modeling and acting school. Columbia Pictures then picked her up to play Peggy Martin in Ladies of the Chorus (1948), where she sang two numbers..