Just not any of them since Marilyn Monroe’s time, from the early 1950s to the early 1960s, when multiple actresses were bigger or equal stars. One of the few names that stood out was that of Elizabeth Taylor, a star whose fame, talent and box-office success often rivaled and sometimes eclipsed those of Marilyn. The combination of Taylor’s dramatic acting, her iconic beauty and her well-publicized private life made her a major player in Hollywood.
Elizabeth Taylor was a glamorous movie star long before Marilyn Monroe became one. Taylor appeared in several critically acclaimed films including A Place in the Sun (1951) and Giant (1956) which revealed her depth of acting. By the time Monroe was delighting the world with her comedic turns in films such as Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953) and Some Like It Hot (1959), Taylor was solidifying her status as one of the most in-demand actresses in Hollywood. Her role in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958) also helped secure her status as one the foremost dramatic actresses.
Taylor's career reached unprecedented heights with *Cleopatra* (1963), which made her the first actress to earn a million-dollar contract for a single film. This role marked a pinnacle of Hollywood glamour and excess, and her high-profile romance with co-star Richard Burton kept her in the headlines. While Monroe's films were immensely popular and financially successful, she was often underpaid compared to her peers, including Taylor, which highlights the contrasting trajectories of their careers.
**Personal Lives and Public Perception**
Both actresses were fixtures in the public eye, but Taylor's marriages and scandals were often more prominent than Monroe's during their lifetimes. Taylor's marriage to Eddie Fisher, followed by her tumultuous relationship with Richard Burton, captivated global audiences. Monroe, meanwhile, faced intense scrutiny for her relationships, including her marriages to Joe DiMaggio and Arthur Miller. Despite this, Monroe's untimely death in 1962 immortalized her as a tragic, iconic figure, often overshadowing Taylor's long career in retrospectives.
**Legacy Comparison**
While Monroe became a symbol of Hollywood glamour and vulnerability, Taylor's legacy as an actress, philanthropist, and icon of resilience endured across decades. Monroe's fame was built on her persona and comedic timing, while Taylor's was rooted in dramatic prowess and her ability to evolve with changing times.
Ultimately, determining who was the "bigger star" depends on the criteria used. If measured by acting accolades and financial milestones during their active years, Elizabeth Taylor was arguably a more dominant figure in Hollywood. However, Marilyn Monroe's enduring cultural impact and status as an icon have made her one of the most recognized figures in history, ensuring that debates over their comparative stardom remain subjective.