June 29, 1956

Marilyn Monroe & Arthur Miller

They are what some called “the Egghead and the Hourglass.” Some even believed that the pairing seemed a bit odd. Regardless of what anyone said, actress Marilyn Monroe and playwright Arthur Miller married on June 29th, 1956. Before that, the couple had to endure months of chaos caused by the press, curious as to when they would marry. Due to various circumstances, the couple never revealed a date. Instead, they married in secret.

The civil ceremony took place in White Plains, New York in the Westchester County Courthouse, and were married by Judge Seymour Robinowitz. It lasted less than five minutes. Monroe wore a sweater and a skirt, while Miller wore a blue suit and white shirt, no tie. Guests included Miller’s cousins, his lawyer and the lawyer’s wife, and Monroe’s business associate.

The actual wedding, a Jewish ceremony, occurred two days later at the home of Miller’s agent. Lee Strasberg gave the bride away. A reception was later held, which 25 close friends and associates of the couple attended.

Unfortunately, the marriage turned out to be a turbulent one, and was beyond repair when the 1961 film The Misfits premiered, written by Miller. They divorced, and the year after Monroe met her untimely death.