Marilyn: Behind the Icon (Gary Vitacco-Robles, Nina Boski and Randall Libero)

An interview with Deana Martin, the daughter of Dean Martin about her father’s relationship with Marilyn. Dean was Marilyn’s friend and her leading man in her final, unfinished film, Something’s Got to Give. Gary and Nina reminisce with Deana about the “Rat Pack”era and the Martin family’s special connection to Marilyn. To see more, find us at behindtheicon.com

Exposing Marilyn's doctors mishandling of her care, revealing other police death reports.

The co-producers discuss the complex web of outlandish rumors, theories, and complete lies about Marilyn’s end. Gary, Nina, and Randall cover Marilyn’s mental health issues affecting her in 1962. An overview of Season 2 of the series, Gary’s forthcoming book on her death, the JFK birthday gala in 1962, and the story of Marilyn’s relationship with Ella Fitzgerald in a future episode are all discussed.

Busting the claims that Marilyn and Robert Kennedy were more than just friends.

Co-producers Nina, Randall and Gary explore Marilyn’s friendship with Sidney Skolsky and relationships with older partners influenced by abandonment and rejection by her father. Gary describes Marilyn’s lack of protection in childhood and fragmentation resulting in her craving a father figure, as well as the impact of her father’s rejection on her psyche, making her vulnerable to targeting by unhealthy males. Randall highlights actress Mary Pickford as a role model to young Norma Jeane, both women having screen images different from their personalities and establishing their own production companies. They discuss films and female stars of the 1930s providing education and escape to Norma Jeane and her ability to use visualization to achieve her goals. Gary explores Marilyn’s relationship with her half-sister and efforts to protect her family from the media.

Looking at what we've learned by separating the truth from the conspiracy theories in this podcast series.

Debunking six decades of rumors, conspiracy theories, and lies about August 4, 1962.

The series producers, Nina, Randall, and Gary investigate Monroe’s negative childhood memories and explain their use of creative license to dramatize factual events in her life. They discuss the episode’s depiction of Monroe’s psychotherapy sessions with Dr. Ralph Greenson as a window into viewing her family history of mental illness and other serious personal challenges. Gary responds to questions about the limits of Monroe’s treatment options in the late 1950s and early 1960s compared to today’s effective interventions.

Gary Vitacco-Robles gives a fact based summation to Marilyn’s death and its aftermath.

Connecting the dots of the events of August 4, 1962, revealing proof of RFK’s whereabouts.

Marilyn drives to Palm Springs to meet her father with a friend in early 1951. She recalls her early years living with her Mother and her childhood experiences escaping her lonely life at the local movie theater. Norma Jeane attends a movie premiere in 1933 at the Chinese Theater with Gladys and Grace. She begins to build an imaginary world to escape her harsh reality through the fantasy of the movies of the early 1930s. Flash forward to Marilyn meeting her childhood film idol, Clark Gable, the King of Hollywood, at a lavish Hollywood party after The Seven Year Itch is released. More at BehindtheIcon.com

The panel talks about how there are many Marilyn Monroe photographs that are photoshopped or cropped and sensationalized in the media.

Norman Mailer’s biography of Marilyn adds fuel to the distortion of the facts around the star’s death.

The episode opens with Jack Lemmon and Marilyn on the set of Some Like it Hot discussing the production shoot. Marilyn reveals an early childhood memory that still haunts her. In 1960, Marilyn engages in psychotherapy with Dr. Ralph Greenson as a result of her personal crisis after the production of Let’s Make Love. She explores her extensive maternal family history of mental illness as Greenson begins to connect the patterns in her past to her current relationships with men. More at BehindtheIcon.com

Marilyn attends an auction with acting coach Natasha Lytess and reclaims a white piano from her childhood. She re-experiences the period she lived with her mother, childhood sexual abuse traumas, and her mother’s psychotic episode which leaves Gladys institutionalized. The aftermath fragments little Norma Jeane’s daily life as Grace struggles to find a place for her with stable living conditions. A teenage Marilyn is signed to the Blue Book Modeling agency and learns to protect herself in the male-powered entertainment industry. She later attempts to negotiate her contract with studio mogul Harry Cohn at Columbia Studios. 

The panel looks into the connection of Marilyn and columnist Dorothy Kilgallen alleged in the book "Collateral Damage".

Co-Producers Nina, Randall, and Gary analyze Monroe’s remarks about her childhood as “grim” and her efforts to ground and rebuild her life with DiMaggio in a new home in Brentwood as a corrective experience for her unstable childhood. Gary describes the Bolender household as rigid and punitive. Randall reviews the relationship between Monroe’s mother Gladys, and her best friend, Grace McKee and the episode’s re-creation of their peripheral work in the film industry in the 1920s. The co-writers analyze the matriarchy of Monroe’s family during a changing time in American history. Gary provides a timeline of the chaos in the lives of Monroe’s mother and grandmother.

The series producers, Nina, Randall, and Gary provide insight into the Monroe-DiMaggio relationship at the end of Marilyn’s life. Gary discusses the Tampa Bay, Florida community’s reaction to the couple’s famous visit in 1961 depicted in the episode from a historical perspective. Nina and Randall talk about working with actress Erin Gavin and the studying of Monroe’s real life vocal inflection, intonation, and speech patterns using actual recordings and how it differs from her acting voice. Gary reveals more about Marilyn’s professional goals in 1961 and DiMaggio’s efforts to increase his sincere emotional support for Marilyn despite his past transgressions. More at BehindtheIcon.com

Nina Boski and Gary Vittaco-Robles speak to Michael Selsman, a former press agent employed by the Arthur P. Jacobs Company that represented Marilyn. They dispel myths about the media coverage of her death, rumors of Marilyn scheduling a press conference shortly before her death, drinking alcohol on her last day, and having an abortion shortly before her death. Check out more at behindtheicon.com.

Co-producers Nina, Randall, and Gary discuss the circumstances surrounding Marilyn Monroe’s birth, the sources they used to reconstruct the early attachment challenges between the child and her mother, in addition to the symptoms of mental illness experienced by her mother and grandmother. Gary outlines Monroe’s multiple Adverse Childhood Experiences and their impact on the star’s life.

Marilyn's meetings with the Kennedys are examined, and an exclusive interview with a CIA official who served during the JFK era.

Producer, Nina Boski, shares the history and the making of Marilyn: Behind the Icon and the reasons why the podcast is so relevant today. Nina was also one of the producers and the host of Goodnight Marilyn Radio in which the relationship with the other two writers and producers started.

A journalist concocts a romantic relationship with Marilyn taking the rumor mill to strange new heights.

Donald McGovern continues blasting apart the presuppositions in the Netflix documentary, “The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe”.

Marilyn's last hours, Gary Vitacco-Robles reveals newly uncovered details from his new book.

Gary and Donald answer listener questions on Marilyn and JFK and medications found after her death.

Marilyn purchases a Spanish hacienda style home in Brentwood, California in early 1962, and reflects upon her childhood. Her memories take us back in time to the 1920s as we learn the story of her mother Gladys in the years shortly before Marilyn was born. The episode introduces Gladys and new found friend Grace McKee’s relationship when they worked together as film cutters at Consolidated Film Industries in the early years of the Hollywood motion picture industry during the Roaring Twenties. More at BehindtheIcon.com

Norma Jeane is born in Los Angeles. Gladys’s best friend Grace comes to visit her after the baby’s birth and talks about the child’s future. Infant Norma Jeane is placed in foster care with the Bolenders, a couple who have rigid religious beliefs. She begins her life experiencing childhood trauma and abuse. Della, Norma Jeane’s grandmother, has a psychotic episode at the Bolenders. Norma Jeane adopts her first pet, a stray dog that follows her to school.

The ambulance theory, doctor's treatments, the official investigation, and more.

Nina and Donald McGovern break down the Netflix documentary, "The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe".

An actor’s ridiculous assertions of an affair with Marilyn are exploded by the panel.

Producer, Nina Boski interviews series narrator, Brad Hyland. As an award-winning voice actor, Brad has been voicing projects for over 20 years and he is perfect for the sound of this podcast. His bold but friendly and connective style can be heard in museum and visitor center film narrations, as well as many current corporate and commercial projects all around the globe. He has voiced commercials for Pepsi Max, Amtrak, Abercrombie & Fitch, TaylorMade Golf, Whirlpool/Maytag, Texas A&M and other major universities, and is also the voice of “Santa” for Elf on the Shelf. https://www.americanvoicepower.com/

Co-Producers Nina Boski and Randall Libero offer final thoughts about this investigation series for listeners.

Following an extremely difficult year of two challenging film productions, her divorce from Arthur Miller, a suicide attempt and the death of Clark Gable, Marilyn is admitted to two psychiatric hospitals in 1961. It is a time of deep personal challenge for Marilyn when she is forced to confront her greatest fears. She fights for her own sanity amidst harrowing conditions at the facility. Her attempts to escape are stopped until an unexpected friend comes back into her life to rescue her. See more at BehindtheIcon.com

The co-producers go behind the scenes regarding the famous “Happy Birthday Mr. President” 1962 performance by Marilyn, how it was well planned and rehearsed, and the facts and professionals behind its staging. Gary clears up the rumors surrounding Marilyn’s business relationship with Fox Studio head Darryl Zanuck, the true story of Marilyn’s friendship with Ella Fitzgerald and how she supported the singer’s career advancement. Also talked about is Marilyn’s strong advocacy for civil rights issues, carrying the message all the way up to the Kennedy Administration. Also covered are facts and details about the famous ‘afterparty’ in New York City after Marilyn’s performance where she met and spoke briefly with President Kennedy and Robert Kennedy. 

In this episode, the series producers give you a glimpse into the last 24 hours of Marilyn’s life, which over the years, has been one of the most controversial days ever portrayed. This episode highlights some of the day’s events: Marilyn collecting prescriptions at the San Vicente Pharmacy, discussing her career challenges with publicist Patricia Newcomb, and receiving a phone call from the actor, Peter Lawford. The producers breakdown each scene and outline the upcoming episodes of the podcast.

The Marilyn: Behind the Icon producers Nina Boski, Randall Libero and Gary Vitacco-Robles talk about their perspective on developing this dramatic series from a historical and factual approach. Gary offers reasons why his commentary regarding Marilyn Monroe’s mental health perspective is important to tell Marilyn’s story accurately. They explore Marilyn’s goals to become an actress, wife, and mother, her personal challenges and crises related to intergenerational mental illness in her family, and her own childhood trauma. The co-writers reflect upon the responsibility of ethical research, legitimate sources and new source material unearthed by recent auctions. See more at BehindtheIcon.com.

The panel introduces the first of the key players who began the rumor mill that has plagued the Marilyn legacy for six decades.

While preparing to perform at President Kennedy’s Birthday Salute in 1962, Marilyn Monroe and Ella Fitzgerald reflect upon their friendship and efforts towards advancing the civil rights movement, hoping to influence the Kennedy brothers’ policies. The episode also highlights the very private party following the gala honoring JFK’s birthday, where Marilyn was famously photographed with the Kennedys. Also featured is one of Marilyn’s many battles with 20th Century Fox Studios over a photograph featuring her, the legendary jazz pianist Hank Jones, and her costume designer for “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes”, William Travilla. Jones was also Marilyn’s pianist at the 1962 “Happy Birthday” performance. 

The co-producers discuss the legend of Marilyn’s white piano as a metaphor for her childhood. Discussed is the identity of her abuser, the woman who failed to protect her, and the impact of sexual abuse and childhood trauma on her life. Gary, Nina, and Randall also cover how Marilyn learns to protect herself in the male-powered entertainment industry and her meeting with studio mogul Harry Cohn at Columbia in 1948 when she attempts to negotiate her contract after completing Ladies of the Chorus. 

A panel of experts debunk rumors and theories about Marilyn Monroe’s 1962 death, cite the forensic evidence from the LA DA report summarizing the 1982 re-investigation, and correct lingering outlandish rumors. Check out more at behindtheicon.com

Slatzer’s second book, his attempt to reopen Marilyn’s case, and a note on Jeanne Carmen.

Marilyn shares her story of recovery with photographer George Barris during her final photo session at a Santa Monica beach. Marilyn heals from her agonizing experience after moving to a convalescent hospital in New York with Joe DiMaggio by her side in early 1961. She is released from care and greets the awaiting media onslaught outside the hospital with press agent Pat Newcomb. Marilyn renews her relationship with Joe DiMaggio as the couple travel together to Florida. She makes plans to star in her own production of the drama, Rain for NBC television.

Dr. Reef Karim joins the panel for the final word on the irresponsibility and negligence of Marilyn’s doctors.

Frank Capell's book plays an important role in the foundational rumor mill that relates to the Kennedys being responsible for Marilyn's death.

Marilyn: Behind the Icon is a dramatic multi-season podcast series blending a uniquely scripted episodic story with commentary on the remarkable life of Marilyn Monroe. It’s up close, raw and real; telling her story through extensively researched historical events, including Marilyn Monroe’s own perspective in her own words. We explore her inner journey and human side as no other podcast, film or TV show has ever done before. The series portrays her personal struggles with mental illness in addition to her amazing resiliency in achieving her dreams as one the greatest movie actresses and icons of motion picture history. We begin our story with her life as a young girl named Norma Jeane — a girl desperate for a stable family and home life — a girl seeking to find her place — a girl nobody wanted — who grew up in the care of foster families and caretakers. As a young teen searching for her identity, she became determined to make something of herself and created a life born out of her dreams, imagination, and talent. Marilyn became a top cover girl model, a young starlet, a celebrated actress, an accomplished singer and dancer, a wife, aspiring mother, a producer, and ultimately, a legend — an enduring ICON.

We'll highlight the tragedy and pain yet celebrate the triumphs of the life, legend, and the global phenomenon known as MARILYN. 

Producer, Nina Boski interviews actress Erin Gavin who plays Marilyn Monroe. Erin was a child actress and then expanded into roles on the television series EastEnders, Still Game, and Footballers’ Wives, in addition to a role in the horror film Dread before moving from the UK to California. Since that time, she has had roles in films and television series including Junk, 1000 Ways To Die, Making Thirty, and The Love Addict. In 2014, Erin played the role of Marilyn Monroe in the stage play Marilyn: My Secret at the Macha Theatre in Hollywood, California. She also played Monroe in the television film Marilyn Monroe: The Last Investigation. Now she is taking on the role that was made for her, Marilyn: Behind the Icon.