Marilyn Monroe's star shines again in Palm Springs
PALM SPRINGS Nearly 100 Coachella Valley residents and visitors gathered in the sizzling desert heat Friday to celebrate the life and career of Marilyn Monroe.
Monroe, born Norma Jeane Mortenson Baker on June 1, 1926, in Los Angeles, would have been 86 years old.
As part of the celebration, Palm Springs Mayor Pro Tem Ginny Foat and Palm Springs Walk of Stars president Robert Alexander rededicated the Hollywood legend's Golden Palm Star No. 54 at 101 S. Palm Canyon Drive.
The Divas of Daytime soap opera stars Bobbie Eakes of All My Children and Kathy Brier and Kassie DePaiva of One Life to Live even sang Happy Birthday in honor of the late Monroe.
The rendition was an homage to Monroe's 1962 Happy Birthday, Mr. President performance for President John F. Kennedy, with whom she was rumored to have had a fling in Palm Springs.
The crowd got another treat when actress, comedian and Rancho Mirage resident Carol Channing shared a few words about her friendship with Monroe.
Channing, who repeatedly called Monroe one of the most beautiful people she ever met, specifically recalled how the blonde bombshell looked to the Broadway star for acting tips.
Monroe sat in the third row during every show for a month while Channing played the role of Lorelei Lee in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Channing said.
Monroe later played Lorelei Lee for the film adaptation of the Broadway musical in 1953.
There are definitely stories in Hollywood where one role was played on Broadway but given to some other actress for film that creates a stir, but there was apparently none of that here, said Mark Jones of Channing's story.
Monroe, reportedly discovered in Palm Springs while at Charlie Farrell's Racquet Club, had a long relationship with the desert that has now been revived thanks to the arrival of Forever Marilyn, the 26-foot statue that recently moved from Chicago to downtown Palm Springs.
Lelani Mallett of Palm Springs, who attended the rededication ceremon! y, said Seward Johnson's statue couldn't be at a better spot.
Forever Marilyn is slated to stand at the corner of Tahquitz Canyon Way and Palm Canyon Drive, just steps from Monroe's Golden Palm Star, for a year.
She's a big, beautiful icon, Mallett said, and her legacy will live on forever.
Mariecar Mendoza covers the city of Palm Springs. She can be reached at (760) 778-4669 or mariecar.mendoza@thedesertsun.com. Follow her on Twitter @TDSMarMendoza.Follow @TDSMarMendoza