Marilyn Monroe’s Final Role: How Much Did She Earn for Something’s Got to Give?

Marilyn Monroe’s last film project, Something’s Got to Give (1962), remains one of Hollywood’s most talked-about unfinished films. A remake of the 1940 classic My Favorite Wife, this movie marked Monroe’s final on-screen role before her untimely death. But how much was she paid for this role?

During the production of Something’s Got to Give, Monroe earned $100,000, a salary considered standard for her at the time. This payment was part of a renegotiated contract with 20th Century Fox in 1961, which stipulated that Monroe would receive $500,000 for each of two films, plus a bonus if the projects were completed on schedule. The second film under this contract was planned to be What a Way to Go!, but its production was halted following Monroe’s tragic passing in August 1962.

Despite earning $100,000 for her work on Something’s Got to Give, Monroe’s compensation was significantly lower than contemporaries like Elizabeth Taylor, who received $1 million for Cleopatra. This stark difference highlights the ongoing wage disparities prevalent in Hollywood at the time.

Although production difficulties and Monroe’s health challenges led to the film’s eventual cancellation, the footage completed showcased her enduring charm and emotional depth. Critics and fans alike praised her performance, reaffirming Monroe’s lasting star power even in her final days.

Something’s Got to Give remains a poignant chapter in Marilyn Monroe’s legacy—not only as her last cinematic effort but also as a reminder of the complexities and inequities within the film industry during Hollywood’s golden era.