Marilyn Monroe: voted in as sex symbol of the century
Every age has its sex symbols who transcend the world of TV and film into the nation's conscious as they become better known for their sexual magnetism than their acting prowess. Megan Fox sends pulses racing, Sharon Stone still turns heads as the scene from Basic Instincts unfolds on TV sets around the world, and even Pamela Anderson played the babe as she went from role to role as Baywatch babe and bad-girl biker chick.
She didn't bear all with suggestive seating poses on the set of Some Like it Hot, and she didn't have a sex tape with bad-boy Tommy Lee, but Marilyn Monroe is a house-hold name. Her gorgeous good looks, her signature blonde curls and red lips – these are all iconic trademarks of the American sex symbol. Ask anyone about the famous film star and they'll be able to recreate her pout or, if you're lucky, stand over a grate and hold on to their skirts as they giggle for the paparazzi. It's no wonder she's been voted in as the top sex symbol of the century.
Even though she had many award-winning performances in major blockbusters like The Seven Year Itch, Monroe is better remembered as an international glamour girl. She began her career in front of the camera as a model and a film actress, but soon skyrocketed to sensational sex-symbol when she graced the cover of Playboy's December 1953 issue. Her good-girl poses and pristine appearance worked in her favour as she soon became the nation's favourite blonde supermodel. Despite appearances in film classics like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, this iconic self-starter was better known for her nude photographs that still live on in the pages of Playboy.
Despite her troubled personal life and early demise, Marilyn Monroe maintained her status as an international sex symbol. She's the vintage dear who steals the stage away from today's hottest porn stars with awards like E! Online's Sex Symbol of the Century, People's Sexiest Woman of the Century and Playboy's #1 sex star of the century.
It might not surprise you to learn that the term 'sex symbol' was coined in the 1950s and was used to describe the influence of a certain Ms Monroe on her adoring fans who supported her through filmic flops and personal disaster as well as international superstardom.
Some really do like it hot.