Tobay Beach Plaque Marks Marilyn Monroe's 1949 Photo Shoot
A plaque has been unveiled at Tobay Beach in Long Island to commemorate Marilyn Monroe's iconic 1949 photo shoot, where photographer André de Dienes captured her in a swimsuit with an umbrella. At just 23 years old and still known as Norma Jeane Mortenson, Monroe's shoot was intended to promote the Marx Brothers' film Love Happy. The beach was deserted due to inclement weather, allowing for uninterrupted photography. The plaque was installed by Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Jeff Pravato, honoring a momentous occasion in both Monroe's life and film history.
Key facts
- Plaque erected at Tobay Beach, Long Island, honoring Marilyn Monroe's 1949 photo shoot.
- Photographer André de Dienes shot Monroe in a swimsuit holding an umbrella.
- Monroe was 23 and known as Norma Jeane Mortenson at the time.
- The shoot promoted the Marx Brothers movie Love Happy.
- Bad weather left the beach empty for the shoot.
- De Dienes met Monroe in 1945 when she was 19.
- De Dienes reportedly had a brief affair with Monroe.
- Plaque installed by Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and Jeff Pravato.
Entities
Artists
- Marilyn Monroe
- Norma Jeane Mortenson
- André de Dienes
- Marx Brothers
Institutions
- PetaPixel
- Town of Oyster Bay
- Nassau County
Locations
- Tobay Beach
- Long Island
- New York
- United States
- New York City