Marilyn Monroe Turned Down Breakfast at Tiffany’s Role – You Won’t Believe Why

Marilyn Monroe’s name is synonymous with Hollywood’s Golden Age. From Some Like It Hot to Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, she defined an era, capturing the public’s imagination with her beauty, charisma, and comedic timing. But there’s one iconic role that, despite being written with her in mind, she famously turned down—Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s.

A Role Tailored for Marilyn Monroe

Author Truman Capote, who penned the novella on which Breakfast at Tiffany’s is based, openly envisioned Monroe as Holly. He saw her as the embodiment of the character’s charm and complexity. Capote reportedly referred to the casting of Audrey Hepburn, who ultimately starred in the 1961 film, as a betrayal by the studio, stating, “Paramount double-crossed me in every way and cast Audrey.” Sam Wasson, Hepburn’s biographer, confirmed that Monroe was Capote’s first choice, but her refusal to accept the role became one of Hollywood’s great “what-ifs.”

Concerns Over Image

The reason Monroe rejected the part, according to Wasson, lies with her acting coach and advisor, Paula Strasberg. Strasberg believed that portraying Holly—whom some interpreted as a “lady of the evening”—could harm Monroe’s public image. Strasberg’s husband, Lee, reportedly shared the same sentiment, arguing that playing a character with such morally ambiguous undertones wasn’t the right move for Monroe’s career. At the time, Marilyn was one of the world’s most famous sex symbols, and there was concern that taking on Holly Golightly would tarnish her reputation.

What Was Holly’s Profession, Really?

In the years since Breakfast at Tiffany’s premiered, the nature of Holly Golightly’s character has been subject to debate. Capote himself clarified in a later interview with Playboy that Holly was “not precisely a call girl.” He described her instead as a socialite who accompanied wealthy men to high-end establishments in exchange for gifts or money—what he referred to as “authentic American geishas.” This distinction, however, wasn’t widely understood at the time, adding to Monroe’s hesitation.

A Role Redefined by Audrey Hepburn

Ultimately, Audrey Hepburn’s portrayal of Holly Golightly became one of the most beloved performances in film history. The movie won two Academy Awards, including Best Original Song for “Moon River,” and earned Hepburn a nomination for Best Actress. Her interpretation of Holly—playful, vulnerable, and magnetic—cemented the film as a classic.

How Would Marilyn Have Changed the Film?

It’s impossible to know how Monroe’s Holly would have been received. While she certainly had the charisma to bring the character to life, her decision to decline the role ensured that Hepburn’s elegant, sophisticated take would define the part. And while Hepburn’s performance is now iconic, it’s fascinating to consider how different Breakfast at Tiffany’s might have been with Monroe’s unique blend of allure and vulnerability at its center.

In turning down the role, Monroe avoided potential controversy but also passed on what might have been one of her most memorable performances. Instead, her legacy remains rooted in the roles she did take, leaving Breakfast at Tiffany’s as a tantalizing “what could have been” in her storied career.