The Untold Story of Marilyn Monroe’s Star Power in Some Like It Hot—And Why It’s Her Peak

Marilyn Monroe’s film career is filled with iconic performances, but her role in Billy Wilder’s 1959 comedy Some Like It Hot stands apart as her most accomplished and enduring work. The film not only cemented her status as a Hollywood legend but also showcased her ability to balance humor and pathos in a way that few other performances in her career could match.

A Role Tailor-Made for Monroe

Monroe stars as Sugar “Kane” Kowalczyk, a ukulele-playing singer who exudes charm, vulnerability, and a sharp comedic edge. The plot, centered on two male musicians (Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon) disguising themselves as women to evade mobsters, provides a rich backdrop for Monroe’s talents. Originally considered for Mitzi Gaynor, the role of Sugar was ultimately shaped with Monroe in mind, especially after her successful collaboration with Wilder on The Seven Year Itch (1955). This bespoke approach allowed her to inhabit Sugar’s playful spirit and emotional depth, transforming what might have been a straightforward comedic role into something far more memorable.

Triumph Amid Production Challenges

Despite Monroe’s undeniable star power, the production of Some Like It Hot was notoriously difficult. Monroe struggled with tardiness, frequent retakes, and personal challenges that tested the patience of the cast and crew. A simple line like “It’s me, Sugar” reportedly required 47 takes, and tensions on set ran high. But as Wilder famously remarked, no one would pay to see his punctual Aunt Minnie; Monroe’s irreplaceable charisma made the trials worth it. Her performance ultimately transcended these difficulties, delivering a comedic and musical tour de force that captivated audiences and critics alike.

Critical and Commercial Success

The film’s reception was overwhelming. It earned six Academy Award nominations, winning for Best Costume Design, and Monroe received the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy. Her performance, highlighted by show-stopping musical numbers such as “I Wanna Be Loved by You,” combined sensuality and wit in a way that perfectly complemented the film’s zany premise. Critics praised her timing and depth, with Variety noting her unparalleled comedic skill and allure. Decades later, Some Like It Hot still holds a 95% score on Rotten Tomatoes and a near-perfect Metacritic rating, underscoring its place among the greatest comedies of all time.

Why It’s Her Best

Monroe’s portrayal of Sugar stands out as her most nuanced performance, blending laugh-out-loud humor with a poignant vulnerability that gave the character unexpected complexity. While films like The Seven Year Itch and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes solidified her as a bombshell, Some Like It Hot revealed her mastery of sophisticated comedy and her ability to carry a film built on farcical situations and witty dialogue. Wilder’s own words confirm her singular impact, with the director later admitting that no one could match the magic she brought to the screen.

A Lasting Legacy

More than six decades later, Some Like It Hot remains a benchmark of classic Hollywood filmmaking, and Monroe’s performance is its beating heart. The film’s cultural resonance, box office success, and critical acclaim have all contributed to its status as one of the most beloved comedies ever made. For Monroe, it represents not only the peak of her career but also a testament to her lasting appeal as an actress who could do it all. In Some Like It Hot, she wasn’t just a star—she was a legend.