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Marilyn & Me: A Photographer's Memories
An intimate memoir recalling a young photographer's relationship with Marilyn Monroe just months before her death, with extraordinary photographs, some of which have never been published.
"With the precision of a surgeon, Schiller slices through the façade of Marilyn Monroe in his unflinching memoir. Revealing and readable, it’s a book I couldn’t put down." —Tina Brown
When he pulled his station wagon into the 20th Century-Fox studios parking lot in Los Angeles in 1960, twenty-three-year-old Lawrence Schiller kept telling himself that this was just another assignment, just another pretty girl. But the assignment and the girl were anything but ordinary. Schiller was a photographer for Look magazine and his subject was Marilyn Monroe, America's sweetheart and sex symbol. In this intimate memoir, Schiller recalls the friendship that developed between him and Monroe while he photographed her in Hollywood in 1960 and 1962 on the sets of Let's Make Love and the unfinished feature Something's Got to Give, the last film she worked on.
Schiller recalls Marilyn as tough and determined, enormously insecure as an actress but totally self-assured as a photographer’s model. Monroe knew how to use her looks and sexuality to generate publicity, and in 1962 she allowed Schiller to publish the first nude photographs of her in over ten years, which she then used as a weapon against a studio that wanted to have her fired—and ultimately succeeded. The Marilyn Schiller knew and writes about was adept at hiding deep psychological scars, but she was also warm and open, candid and disarming, a movie star who wished to be taken more seriously than she was.
Accompanying the text are eighteen of the author’s own photographs, some never previously published. Many writers have tried to capture her essence on the page, but as someone who was in the room, a young man Marilyn could connect with and trust, Schiller gives us a unique look at the real woman offscreen.
"With the precision of a surgeon, Schiller slices through the façade of Marilyn Monroe in his unflinching memoir. Revealing and readable, it’s a book I couldn’t put down." —Tina Brown
When he pulled his station wagon into the 20th Century-Fox studios parking lot in Los Angeles in 1960, twenty-three-year-old Lawrence Schiller kept telling himself that this was just another assignment, just another pretty girl. But the assignment and the girl were anything but ordinary. Schiller was a photographer for Look magazine and his subject was Marilyn Monroe, America's sweetheart and sex symbol. In this intimate memoir, Schiller recalls the friendship that developed between him and Monroe while he photographed her in Hollywood in 1960 and 1962 on the sets of Let's Make Love and the unfinished feature Something's Got to Give, the last film she worked on.
Schiller recalls Marilyn as tough and determined, enormously insecure as an actress but totally self-assured as a photographer’s model. Monroe knew how to use her looks and sexuality to generate publicity, and in 1962 she allowed Schiller to publish the first nude photographs of her in over ten years, which she then used as a weapon against a studio that wanted to have her fired—and ultimately succeeded. The Marilyn Schiller knew and writes about was adept at hiding deep psychological scars, but she was also warm and open, candid and disarming, a movie star who wished to be taken more seriously than she was.
Accompanying the text are eighteen of the author’s own photographs, some never previously published. Many writers have tried to capture her essence on the page, but as someone who was in the room, a young man Marilyn could connect with and trust, Schiller gives us a unique look at the real woman offscreen.
199 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2012
6 people are currently reading
218 people want to read
About the author
Lawrence Schiller
41 books22 followersThe ubiquitous Lawrence Schiller was born in 1936 in Brooklyn, and grew up in San Diego. After graduating from Pepperdine College, he went to work for Life magazine and the Saturday Evening Post as a photojournalist. His photographic abilities, both technical and artistic, laid the foundation for what has become nothing less than an astonishing career.
Schiller first made his name by photographing popular culture icons such as Sophia Loren, Richard Nixon, Timothy Leary, O.J. Simpson, James Earl Jones, Barbara Streisand, Paul Newman, Robert Redford, John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Joe DiMaggio, and Clint Eastwood, just to name a few.
He moved easily through contrasting public worlds, developing stories for Life magazine while shooting nude photographs for Hugh Heffner and Playboy magazine. Schiller was always at the forefront, and always at the right place at the right time, experiencing historical events and developing relationships that would launch his career onto a path of success in a variety of mediums.
He published his first book, LSD, in 1966. Since then he has published eleven books, including W. Eugene Smith's Minamata and Norman Mailer's Marilyn. He collaborated with Albert Goldman on Ladies and Gentleman, Lenny Bruce and with Norman Mailer on The Executioner's Song and Oswald's Tale. He has directed seven motion pictures and mini-series for television.
From 1996 through 2002, Mr. Schiller published four books that became national bestsellers: American Tragedy, Perfect Murder, Perfect Town, Into the Mirror, and Cape May Court House. All made the New York Times Bestseller List. American Tragedy, Perfect Murder, Perfect Town and Into the Mirror were made into television mini-series for CBS. Mr. Schiller produced and directed each of the motion pictures.
Other motion picture credits are: Double Jeopardy, The Plot to Kill Hitler, The Executioner's Song, Peter the Great, Murder: By Reason of Insanity, Her Life As a Man, The Patricia Neal Story, Child Bride of Short Creek, Marilyn, The Untold Story, The Winds of Kitty Hawk, Hey, I'm Alive, The Trial of Lee Harvey Oswald, and The Man Who Skied Down Everest.
Lawrence Schiller's projects have won countless awards, including seven Emmys and an Oscar for his work over the years. He is a consultant to NBC News and has recently written for The New Yorker and George magazines.
Schiller's haunting and beautiful portfolio of photographs of Marilyn Monroe is from the last professional photo session of the sex goddess, while making Something's Got to Give in 1962. She was fired from the movie and was dead two months later. Almost a half a century has passed since May 1962, and still these astonishing, daring, and beautifully crafted photographs—never available as limited editions, until now—continue to captivate and enthrall us.
His collection of images chronicling America in the 1960s is an important document of our time. With daring forthrightness, a decade of turmoil, creativity and entertainment is unrolled before our eyes. Schiller's uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time, affords us the privilege of surveying all of this history, captured with succinct and powerful images that have defined and continue to define the national conversation.
Schiller first made his name by photographing popular culture icons such as Sophia Loren, Richard Nixon, Timothy Leary, O.J. Simpson, James Earl Jones, Barbara Streisand, Paul Newman, Robert Redford, John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, Joe DiMaggio, and Clint Eastwood, just to name a few.
He moved easily through contrasting public worlds, developing stories for Life magazine while shooting nude photographs for Hugh Heffner and Playboy magazine. Schiller was always at the forefront, and always at the right place at the right time, experiencing historical events and developing relationships that would launch his career onto a path of success in a variety of mediums.
He published his first book, LSD, in 1966. Since then he has published eleven books, including W. Eugene Smith's Minamata and Norman Mailer's Marilyn. He collaborated with Albert Goldman on Ladies and Gentleman, Lenny Bruce and with Norman Mailer on The Executioner's Song and Oswald's Tale. He has directed seven motion pictures and mini-series for television.
From 1996 through 2002, Mr. Schiller published four books that became national bestsellers: American Tragedy, Perfect Murder, Perfect Town, Into the Mirror, and Cape May Court House. All made the New York Times Bestseller List. American Tragedy, Perfect Murder, Perfect Town and Into the Mirror were made into television mini-series for CBS. Mr. Schiller produced and directed each of the motion pictures.
Other motion picture credits are: Double Jeopardy, The Plot to Kill Hitler, The Executioner's Song, Peter the Great, Murder: By Reason of Insanity, Her Life As a Man, The Patricia Neal Story, Child Bride of Short Creek, Marilyn, The Untold Story, The Winds of Kitty Hawk, Hey, I'm Alive, The Trial of Lee Harvey Oswald, and The Man Who Skied Down Everest.
Lawrence Schiller's projects have won countless awards, including seven Emmys and an Oscar for his work over the years. He is a consultant to NBC News and has recently written for The New Yorker and George magazines.
Schiller's haunting and beautiful portfolio of photographs of Marilyn Monroe is from the last professional photo session of the sex goddess, while making Something's Got to Give in 1962. She was fired from the movie and was dead two months later. Almost a half a century has passed since May 1962, and still these astonishing, daring, and beautifully crafted photographs—never available as limited editions, until now—continue to captivate and enthrall us.
His collection of images chronicling America in the 1960s is an important document of our time. With daring forthrightness, a decade of turmoil, creativity and entertainment is unrolled before our eyes. Schiller's uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time, affords us the privilege of surveying all of this history, captured with succinct and powerful images that have defined and continue to define the national conversation.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
May 14, 2020
HOW PAPARAZZI USED TO WORK
If, as a Marilyn Monroe fan, you are hoping to learn something new about her you won’t find it in this book. Called a ‘memoir’ by the author/photographer the book is 114 pages long and measures about 5” x 7”. It includes 13 pictures of Marilyn most of which you have probably seen before.
This is, instead, a nod to how the paparazzi used to work back in the 1960’s just as the name ‘paparazzi’ came into being. It was a time when photographers were a bit more restrained and guided by some semblance of a moral code, but nonetheless their purpose was the same: to make a fortune for themselves from exploiting the fame of others.
Schiller gives us details into the business of making money from taking photographs of famous people and even though the paparazzi today are more odious and invasive in their work Schiller and his ilk in the 1960’s were no less feeding off the famous for their own gain.
While Schiller speaks kindly about Ms. Monroe I found the whole business side of his relationship with her to be most distasteful.
If, as a Marilyn Monroe fan, you are hoping to learn something new about her you won’t find it in this book. Called a ‘memoir’ by the author/photographer the book is 114 pages long and measures about 5” x 7”. It includes 13 pictures of Marilyn most of which you have probably seen before.
This is, instead, a nod to how the paparazzi used to work back in the 1960’s just as the name ‘paparazzi’ came into being. It was a time when photographers were a bit more restrained and guided by some semblance of a moral code, but nonetheless their purpose was the same: to make a fortune for themselves from exploiting the fame of others.
Schiller gives us details into the business of making money from taking photographs of famous people and even though the paparazzi today are more odious and invasive in their work Schiller and his ilk in the 1960’s were no less feeding off the famous for their own gain.
While Schiller speaks kindly about Ms. Monroe I found the whole business side of his relationship with her to be most distasteful.
March 21, 2021
An intimate memoir recalling a young photographer's relationship with Marilyn Monroe just months before her death, with extraordinary photographs, some of which have never been published. "In this short, splendid memoir, Lawrence Schiller offers us another cut on the scintillating diamond that is Marilyn Monroe. In clear honest straightforward prose, Schiller allows us to dwell in the heart of another time. He captures Marilyn, both in photographs and words, and in so doing he gives us intimate access into one of the great stories of the 20th century: the complicated cocktail of joy and sadness that goes along with both beauty and fame."
July 17, 2012
Lawrence Schiller was a Hollywood photographer, one of the best. Now he's a writer. This small but highly intriguing book is about his professional relationship with Marilyn Monroe, and what he learned about her through the camera's lens. Filled with his iconic pictures (yes, HE was the one that got the nude pool pictures on the "Something's Got To Give" set, with Marilyn's complicity--it is quite the story), this will be a treat for photography fans as well as Rat Pack era Hollywood and, of course, Marilyn.
June 2, 2016
have th e small cheap book enjoyed the text but disappointing that there were no colour photos abd that it was so small damn them for making the other version too expensive definately not produced for Marilyn's average fans but for the elite few who have more money than sense
November 16, 2014
There's not much Marilyn in this tiny book; it's mostly about selling photographs.
January 18, 2024
A short memoir by photographer Lawrence Schiller recalling his time photographing Marilyn Monroe on the set of two of her films: "Let's Make Love" (1960), and the troubled "Something's Got to Give" (1962), the later being her final role, as she died during filming.
In 1962 Elizabeth Taylor was on all the world's magazine covers due to being paid $1 million for 20th Century Fox's "Cleopatra", and her subsequent affair with her leading man, Richard Burton. When Schiller saw in the script that Marilyn was doing a pool scene he capitalized on it. It was Marilyn's suggestion that she would come out of the pool without her nude bathing suit as that should claim the headlines and 20th Century Fox.
Schiller then goes onto how he sold the subsequent photos exclusively, and how he made enough money from the photos to put a down payment on a house. The relationship between Schiller and Marilyn was a success - Schiller got the profits and he his career only went up, and Marilyn got all the publicity she wanted appearing on magazine covers worldwide, and on LIFE. Sadly that exposure she wanted would be realized to enormous proportions with her untimely death at the young age of 36.
In 1962 Elizabeth Taylor was on all the world's magazine covers due to being paid $1 million for 20th Century Fox's "Cleopatra", and her subsequent affair with her leading man, Richard Burton. When Schiller saw in the script that Marilyn was doing a pool scene he capitalized on it. It was Marilyn's suggestion that she would come out of the pool without her nude bathing suit as that should claim the headlines and 20th Century Fox.
Schiller then goes onto how he sold the subsequent photos exclusively, and how he made enough money from the photos to put a down payment on a house. The relationship between Schiller and Marilyn was a success - Schiller got the profits and he his career only went up, and Marilyn got all the publicity she wanted appearing on magazine covers worldwide, and on LIFE. Sadly that exposure she wanted would be realized to enormous proportions with her untimely death at the young age of 36.
January 17, 2025
kind of an odd book honestly. the author’s relationship with marilyn wasn’t as significant as i was expecting, and i think his experience with her doesn’t warrant a whole book. an article or interview would’ve made more sense but i’m glad it exists regardless! short and concise and easy to read. i think that he came off as greedy when he was very adamant about getting marilyn to do a playboy cover and i didn’t like that side of him, but it seems like he had a nice time with marilyn mostly. not my favorite but im glad i read it.
February 5, 2021
A really lovely little book about the relationship Marilyn Monroe had with the young famed celebrity photographer Lawrence Schiller, told from the standpoint of Schiller. He shot some of Marilyn's most famous photos and reading the story behind them and their friendship/professional partnership was a treat.
February 19, 2023
If you're looking for a book on the technical aspects of photography in Hollywood at that period-this isn't it ! Mostly about picture taking on the fly. as the author said-"I've got a nude of Marilyn, we're going to make a lot of money." Ah, the cesspool of Hollywood !
December 15, 2023
the third star is for the author being satisfyingly self-aware of what a shameless grifter he is (not referring to the act of writing this book at all by this btw). felt more personal that way, without the self-sanitization
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November 28, 2019Short and simple read, crafted with dignity and respect.
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August 25, 2025A photographer's view of Marilyn Monroe.
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June 10, 2022Conflicted on how to rate this- I was going to say 3/5 but I actually don't think I will rate it- because there's not much text and the photos are half the story. It's more about Schiller (which is obvious considering the subtitle and memoir genre) and behind the scenes of media/press and the production of Something's Got To Give while also being about the photos that happen to be of Marilyn Monroe... Marilyn Monroe in the nude. I liked the insight it gave with Schiller's observations on the production and I liked learning the firsthand experience of how photography and selling photographs (particularly in magazines) worked at the time. But I also hated the exploitation and how oblivious Schiller was to Marilyn's feelings and struggle with Hollywood's image of her/who they wanted her to be. At least he was honest about it and just gives it to readers in a straightforward manner, recounting his memories as he remembers them (and us taking his word for it). And I get he was focused on his career, earnings, and family.
The photos are beautiful and well showcased in this large hardcover edition. A handful standout as favorites of mine of Marilyn. And the one of Joe DiMaggio at her funeral is absolutely heartbreaking.
The photos are beautiful and well showcased in this large hardcover edition. A handful standout as favorites of mine of Marilyn. And the one of Joe DiMaggio at her funeral is absolutely heartbreaking.
September 7, 2012
Lawrence Schiller, a very young photographer working for Look magazine, had the golden assignment to photograph Marilyn Monroe on movie sets in 1960 and 1962. From the very first meeting there was a kind of openness between them that soon led to trust.
50 years after her death, Schiller describes Marilyn Monroe as a very smart and literate person, insecure as an actress, very well aware of her photographic sensual emanation, sometimes acting out as a spoiled brat, but very often warm and sensitive. The fact that she wasn't taken seriously must have hurt her enormously.
A captivating and compelling memoir written with tenderness and love.
50 years after her death, Schiller describes Marilyn Monroe as a very smart and literate person, insecure as an actress, very well aware of her photographic sensual emanation, sometimes acting out as a spoiled brat, but very often warm and sensitive. The fact that she wasn't taken seriously must have hurt her enormously.
A captivating and compelling memoir written with tenderness and love.
November 4, 2012
Interesting anecdotes and direct quotations from Marilyn. Schiller knew her as a photographer assigned to cover her on the set of several films, spanning the length of some years. It seems like their friendship was sporadic, yet intense. His own evolution as a photographer and businessman was largely spurred by his work with Marilyn.
My favorite recollection of Schiller's was the one where he arrived at Marilyn's house to have her approve some photographs and found Bobby Kennedy there. Schiller also remembers when he arrived at Marilyn's house right after she was found dead, and saw that the side window of the house had been broken.
My favorite recollection of Schiller's was the one where he arrived at Marilyn's house to have her approve some photographs and found Bobby Kennedy there. Schiller also remembers when he arrived at Marilyn's house right after she was found dead, and saw that the side window of the house had been broken.
August 13, 2013
A considerable insight on Marilyn Monroe's many encounters. Lawrence tells the story of how he first met Marilyn. When he was just a young photographer who just started in the business.
I enjoyed reading this book. It gave me an adequate amount of information about the life of Marilyn. Her personality. Her confidantes. And most importantly, the last days before her death. I just felt sorry for her. The way she was misunderstood, mistreated.. How everyone seemed to know her as the big sex-symbol when she was beyond any doubt more than that. The book left me wanting more. More about Monroe's life. I recommend it as a start to a long research on the life of Marilyn Monroe.
I enjoyed reading this book. It gave me an adequate amount of information about the life of Marilyn. Her personality. Her confidantes. And most importantly, the last days before her death. I just felt sorry for her. The way she was misunderstood, mistreated.. How everyone seemed to know her as the big sex-symbol when she was beyond any doubt more than that. The book left me wanting more. More about Monroe's life. I recommend it as a start to a long research on the life of Marilyn Monroe.
February 26, 2016
This little memoir by famous photojournalist Lawrence Schiller includes some of his iconic photos of Marilyn Monroe (cover of Life magazine) as well as his recollection of his meetings with her when he was young ambitious photographer (age of 23) in 1960 and his working relationship with her up until her sudden death August 5, 1962. The Marilyn who approved every photo ever taken of her through her ups and downs of studio life during that time, her strength, and her concerns. The inside story of photography of celebrity is fascinating and eye opening as are his recollection of conversations and photos of Marilyn.
July 3, 2012
Reading a book about Marilyn always feels like coming home to me, but this one was more beautiful than most. The author had a completely different view of her, and isn't afraid to tell it like he saw it. He portrays Marilyn as a fragile and very lonely woman rather than the sex-crazed egomaniac so many authors turn to. Loved that he allowed her to be human. There are also some beautiful photos, and very touching stories. Really wish I could afford the signed and numbered edition! I definitely recommend it. Short book, easy read, so you'll get through it in one sitting.
March 29, 2015
Just read Marilyn & Me this afternoon. It is photographer, Lawrence Schiller's recollection of his business relationship with Monroe between the span 1960 and her untimely death in August of 62. Though the account does contain intimate scenes of Monroe's life, It was few and far in between, forcing the reader to stagger through Schiller's pointless ramblings regarding his own career. In all honesty, there are maybe A dozen or so pages in total reflecting original accounts of satisfying Monroe material. Which would have been perfect for a magazine publication but not a book.
July 14, 2021
Have the small book - talk abouta teaser to get the big book... at the beginning I LOVED the text and a lot of it seemed to confirm my views on Marilyn and her complexities... but towards the end there were a few guestions I would like to ask. Okay, I did expect more pics here (and better quality) and some color ones... Gotta start saving for Taschen (*sigh*) Edit:They finally published a cheaper version of the big book, so that's what I got and read.
November 14, 2013
Enjoyed reading about Marilyn Monroe through the eyes of someone who actually worked with and got to know her.
The author painted the picture of a woman who knew what she wanted but was unable to make herself that person due to her past and her need to feel wanted.
Marilyn was like any other woman with her insecures but she still showed the she was intelligent and able to make her own business decisions.
The author painted the picture of a woman who knew what she wanted but was unable to make herself that person due to her past and her need to feel wanted.
Marilyn was like any other woman with her insecures but she still showed the she was intelligent and able to make her own business decisions.
October 28, 2016
Read it in a couple of hours. Marilyn Monroe is an intriguing personality that I know not much about. I know that she's beautiful, she was involved with the Kennedy's and Frank Sinatra, and that she had a drug problem. After reading this, I feel like I know the same amount of information but with some glimmers into her personality. Nothing too comprehensive though. It's cool seeing a look through a photographer's lens (haha).
October 4, 2012
I enjoyed this short biography! Lawrence Schiller's memories of Marilyn are sweet & honest. good to have some insight as to what went through his mind while photographing such an icon!
what I really appreciate about this biography is that he's honest in his recollection & not jumping to conclusions as to what tragically happened to Marilyn Monroe ..
what I really appreciate about this biography is that he's honest in his recollection & not jumping to conclusions as to what tragically happened to Marilyn Monroe ..
June 19, 2013
It's a quick read from a man whose take on Monroe is fascinating, in that it was informed by a few brief but obviously intense and critical interactions with her. Well worth the time it takes to read it if you care about Marilyn at all.
For my detailed review go to http://2bitmonkey.wordpress.com/2013/...
For my detailed review go to http://2bitmonkey.wordpress.com/2013/...
August 20, 2016
It was a nice, short read about Marilyn and Schiller's brief time knowing her. I think it painted a decent snap shot of what she was like, according to those who knew her. It's unfortunate that she did not grow up in a time that would allow her to be herself, a smart, opinionated woman.
I was hoping for more pictures, but the handful included are gorgeous.
I was hoping for more pictures, but the handful included are gorgeous.
July 7, 2012
I really enjoyed this book! The author tells about his experiences photographing Marilyn Monroe over the last several years of her life. He avoids passing judgment on her, but paints a picture of a very beautiful, but troubled woman, who is struggling to be taken seriously.
August 21, 2012
A nice little snippet of Marilyn's later years, this author gives us a glimpse of a believable Marilyn. The end reveals that there was a larger book he had written, which I was a bit confused about. VERY minimal pics, which was disappointing. I wanted to see more.
May 14, 2012
perfect. honest short book about a few encnters this photographer had with Marilyn in the early 60s. sweet. piercingly insightful.
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June 2, 2012Disappointing. Read the Vanity Fair article instead.
July 1, 2012
Short and sweet. I was surprised that when I asked my 9 year-old who was the lady on the cover- he knew. Marilyn will live forever in our memories.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews