PODCAST · society
Marilyn: Behind the Icon
by Gary Vitacco-Robles, Nina Boski and Randall Libero
Marilyn: Behind the Icon is three series in one: an audio drama, an investigative series, and a discussion series. It blends a original 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 and addiction in addition to her amazing resiliency in achieving her dreams as one the greatest movie actresses and icons in 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
Episodes
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Interview with Remi Gangarossa, Filmmaker Behind New Award-winning Marilyn Monroe Fantasy Drama " Marilyn’s Dark Paradise"
Host Nina Boski from the Behind the Icon podcast series sits down with filmmaker Remi Gangarossa to explore Marilyn’s Dark Paradise — an award-winning, emotionally powerful film that reimagines Marilyn Monroe’s life through fantasy, humanity, and heartbreak. Together they discuss Marilyn’s…
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Episode 22: Special Investigation: The Final Word
Co-Producers Nina Boski and Randall Libero offer final thoughts about this investigation series for listeners.
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Episode 21: Special Investigation: The Truth Amongst the Lies, Part 3
Donald McGovern continues blasting apart the presuppositions in the Netflix documentary, “The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe”.
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Episode 20: Special Investigation: The Truth Amongst the Lies, Part 2
Nina and Donald McGovern break down the Netflix documentary, "The Mystery of Marilyn Monroe".
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Episode 19: Special Investigation: The Truth Amongst the Lies Part 1
Looking at what we've learned by separating the truth from the conspiracy theories in this podcast series.
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Episode 18: Special Investigation: Doctor Doctor: What We Now Know
Dr. Reef Karim joins the panel for the final word on the irresponsibility and negligence of Marilyn’s doctors.
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Episode 17: Special Investigation: Your Questions Answered, Part 2
The ambulance theory, doctor's treatments, the official investigation, and more.
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Episode 16: Special Investigation: Your Questions Answered
Gary and Donald answer listener questions on Marilyn and JFK and medications found after her death.
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Episode 15: Special Investigation: Marilyn's Last Day: Conclusion
Gary Vitacco-Robles gives a fact based summation to Marilyn’s death and its aftermath.
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Episode 14: Special Investigation: Marilyn's Last Day, Part 3
Marilyn's last hours, Gary Vitacco-Robles reveals newly uncovered details from his new book.
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Episode 13: Special Investigation: Marilyn's Last Day, Part 2
Exposing Marilyn's doctors mishandling of her care, revealing other police death reports.
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Episode 12: Special Investigation: Marilyn's Last Day, Part 1
Connecting the dots of the events of August 4, 1962, revealing proof of RFK’s whereabouts.
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Episode 11: Special Investigation: Marilyn Monroe Murdered Is An Industry
Debunking six decades of rumors, conspiracy theories, and lies about August 4, 1962.
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Episode 10: Special Investigation: The Proof of An Affair
Busting the claims that Marilyn and Robert Kennedy were more than just friends.
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Episode 9: Special Investigation: The Kennedy Connection
Marilyn's meetings with the Kennedys are examined, and an exclusive interview with a CIA official who served during the JFK era.
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Episode 8: Special Investigation: The Mob, Marilyn, and Gianni Russo…Really?
An actor’s ridiculous assertions of an affair with Marilyn are exploded by the panel.
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Episode 7: Special Investigation: Myths and Lies: Robert Slatzer
Slatzer’s second book, his attempt to reopen Marilyn’s case, and a note on Jeanne Carmen.
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Episode 6: Special Investigation: They Believed A Fraud: Robert Slatzer
A journalist concocts a romantic relationship with Marilyn taking the rumor mill to strange new heights.
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Episode 5: Special Investigation: Advancing the Rumor Mill: Norman Mailer
Norman Mailer’s biography of Marilyn adds fuel to the distortion of the facts around the star’s death.
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Episode 4: Special Investigation: The Birth of the Rumor Mill: Frank Capell
Frank Capell's book plays an important role in the foundational rumor mill that relates to the Kennedys being responsible for Marilyn's death.
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Episode 3: Special Investigation: The Man First on the Death Scene - Jack Clemmons
The panel introduces the first of the key players who began the rumor mill that has plagued the Marilyn legacy for six decades.
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Episode 2: Special Investigation: Photos Never Lie…Or Do They?
The panel talks about how there are many Marilyn Monroe photographs that are photoshopped or cropped and sensationalized in the media.
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Episode 1: Special Investigation: Were Marilyn Monroe and Dorothy Kilgallen Friends?
The panel looks into the connection of Marilyn and columnist Dorothy Kilgallen alleged in the book "Collateral Damage".
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#9 Norma Jeane: Discovering Truths
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...
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EP 9 Soul Sisters
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…
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#8 Norma Jeane: Discovering Truths
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...
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EP8 Marilyn's Last Day
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,...
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#7 Norma Jeane: Discovering Truths
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...
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EP7 The White Piano
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...
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#6 Norma Jeane: Discovering Truths
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...
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Interview: Brad Hyland (Narrator)
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...
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Interview: Actress Erin Gavin
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...
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EP6 Lonely Escape Into Dreams
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...
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#5 Norma Jeane: Discovering Truths
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...
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EP5 My Life Was Kind of Grim Part 2
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...
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#4 Norma Jeane: Discovering Truths
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....
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EP4 My Life Was Kind of Grim, Part 1
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...
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#3 Norma Jeane: Discovering Truths
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…
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EP3 I Was a Black Mark on a White Cross
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...
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#2 Norma Jeane: Discovering Truths
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...
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EP2 A Promise of Hope
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...
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#1 Norma Jeane: Discovering Truths
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…
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EP1 Please Let Me Out
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…
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Prelude: Moment of Truth
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
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Marilyn: Behind the Icon Trailer
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...
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Prelude: Don't Throw the Baby Out with the Bath Water
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…
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Prelude: Classic Cool
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…
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The Series Opener
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.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Marilyn: Behind the Icon is three series in one: an audio drama, an investigative series, and a discussion series. It blends a original 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 and addiction in addition to her amazing resiliency in achieving her dreams as one the greatest movie actresses and icons in 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
HOSTED BY
Gary Vitacco-Robles, Nina Boski and Randall Libero
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Marilyn: Behind the Icon have?
Marilyn: Behind the Icon currently has 48 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Marilyn: Behind the Icon about?
Marilyn: Behind the Icon is three series in one: an audio drama, an investigative series, and a discussion series. It blends a original 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...
How often does Marilyn: Behind the Icon release new episodes?
Marilyn: Behind the Icon has 48 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Marilyn: Behind the Icon?
You can listen to Marilyn: Behind the Icon on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Marilyn: Behind the Icon?
Marilyn: Behind the Icon is created and hosted by Gary Vitacco-Robles, Nina Boski and Randall Libero.
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