The Impact of Lee and Paula Strasburg on Marilyn Monroe's Career and Well-being

Marilyn Monroe's legacy is a complex narrative filled with glamour and tragedy. While it is often discussed in the context of her acting and filmography, the roles of influential figures like Lee and Paula Strasburg in her life often go overlooked. Was their involvement actually more helpful in shaping her career or in supporting her personal well-being? Here, we examine the nuances of their impact.

Supporting Marilyn's Acting Career

Lee Strasberg, a prominent acting teacher and director, played a significant role in Marilyn Monroe's journey to become a serious actress. Monroe's move to New York to join The Actors Studio, led by Strasberg, was a strategic step in her career. Strasberg's rigorous "Method" acting techniques aimed to help her deliver more nuanced and emotionally layered performances. However, this pursuit also had its drawbacks.

Strasberg's insistence on Marilyn undergoing psychoanalysis to uncover her innermost feelings was a double-edged sword. While it helped her connect deeply with her characters, it also forced her to revisit painful memories. Professionals today argue that such recurring psychological exploration was not the most therapeutic approach, especially considering Marilyn's already fragile psychological state.

Paula Strasburg, the wife of Lee, was equally involved in Marilyn's career. Her efforts to shield Marilyn from industry abuse and help her improve as an actress were rooted in genuine concern. However, these efforts came at a financial cost, as Marilyn's excessive payments for Paula's services highlight. Paula's actions, while well-intentioned, may have reinforced a dynamic that kept Marilyn imperfectly within a system that was very difficult to navigate.

Challenges and Missteps

One of the most notable controversies surrounds the advice given to Marilyn about her role in Breakfast at Tiffany's. Arthur Miller, Marilyn's husband at the time, advised her to turn down the role of Holly Golightly, which ended up being played by Audrey Hepburn. This decision was based on a fear that the role would ruin Marilyn's reputation and prevent her from landing serious roles. However, Marilyn's inner turmoil and the fear of being typecast were significant factors in her decision-making process.

Marilyn's acting career was marred by her reputation for being difficult to work with. While this was not entirely due to personality, existing psychological problems made her challenging to collaborate with, leading to strained relationships on set, such as those documented in Sir Laurence Olivier and Marilyn's fraught collaboration in The Prince and the Showgirl.

Supporting Her Mental Health

Lee and Paula Strasburg's intention to support Marilyn's professional development was undoubtedly altruistic. However, their methods were not always aligned with modern psychological practices. Therapy and medication were not as advanced during Marilyn's time, and the treatments available at the time did not provide the comprehensive support she needed.

Marilyn's psychological issues were deeply rooted in her childhood trauma. Being taken away from her mother due to her mother's mental illness and experiencing foster care created a significant lack of emotional stability and authoritative guidance. Lee and Paula Strasburg's roles as parental figures were of immense comfort to Marilyn, but they lacked the professional understanding of her mental health needs. Their guidance focused more on the intellectual aspects of acting, which, in retrospect, failed to address her core issues.

Conclusion

While Lee and Paula Strasburg's intentions were largely supportive, their impact on Marilyn Monroe's career and well-being is a mixed bag. Their rigorous acting methodologies and efforts to shield her from industry harm were well-meaning. However, their focus on the intellectual aspects of acting without addressing her psychological health was ultimately detrimental. Marilyn's personal struggles were compounded by the limitations of the psychological support available at the time, leading to a life filled with both accolades and anguish. As we continue to explore the legacy of Marilyn Monroe, it is crucial to remember the nuanced impact of those who sought to help her, albeit with mixed results.

Key Points

Lee and Paula Strasburg helped Marilyn transform her career but focused too much on intellectual acting techniques. Advice such as turning down the role in "Breakfast at Tiffany's" echoed their belief in Marilyn's need to project a serious image in film. Their well-intentioned efforts to shield her from abuse and improve her performances came at a financial and personal cost.