Marilyn Monroe was introduced to her husband number two by an unlikely matchmaker – the “I Love Lucy” star.
The 25-year-old was dining out with her agent, Norman Brokaw, as William Frawley, who plays Fred Mertz in the sitcom, walked away Get close to them. He made an offer that the actress couldn’t refuse.
“[My father] Take her to a TV show called ‘Lights, Camera, Action,’ which is a show that showcases emerging talent,” Norman’s son, Joel Brokaw, told Fox Digital News.”[It was] A live show in Hollywood that all casting agents will watch. They went and did this TV show, and he said, “Let’s go down the street, go to the Hollywood Brown Derby and have a meal.” It was a place to see.
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When Marilyn Monroe met Joe DiMaggio in 1952, she had no idea who he was. (Getty Images)
“It didn’t take long for them to be noticed,” Joel shared. “William Frawley… came up to the table and he said… ‘I’m having supper with Joe D. He wants to see this young lady. We’ll go to your table when we’re done.’
“Marilyn turned to my dad and said, ‘Who is Joe D?’ She had no idea who Joe DiMaggio was, and she was obviously not a baseball fan, so he had to give her a brief introduction to Joe DiMaggio’s importance. sex.
According to Hollywood legend, Joe DiMaggio was reading a newspaper when he spotted a photo of Marilyn Monroe in a baseball uniform. He was fascinated. (Getty Images)
Brokaw, who represented Elvis Presley, Clint Eastwood and many other top stars, died in 2016 at the age of 89. ) has written a new memoir about the late patriarch, “Driving Marilyn,” detailing how he got his start working in William Williams’ mailroom. Serve as CEO.
Joel Brokaw’s book “Driving Marilyn” is out now. (Lyon Press)
DiMaggio was 12 years older than Monroe and had just retired from the New York Yankees. While he was out for dinner with his best friend, he found himself smitten with the blonde beauty.
Brokaw didn’t miss an opportunity to help bring the two together.
“[My father and Marilyn] After finishing their meal first,” Joel said, “they walked to the table and the rest is history.
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William Frawley played Fred Mertz in the 1950s sitcom “I Love Lucy.” (CBS via Getty Images)
Joel said his father met Monroe through his uncle, Hollywood talent agent Johnny Hyde. Monroe said in her book “My Story” that Hyde fell in love with her and proposed to her.
“If you look at all the Marilyn Monroe stories, Johnny Hyde is a standout chapter,” Joel explains. “He was a big-time super agent who believed in Marilyn Monroe. He also lived with her. He staked his entire reputation on advancing her career.”
Hollywood agent Johnny Hyde wants to marry his client, up-and-coming star Marilyn Monroe. (Alami)
“At the time, the attitude of a lot of his peers was, ‘That’s his sweetheart, she’s the blonde of the year,'” Joel shared. “A lot of people didn’t see anything special in her. But eventually, toward the end of his life, he got her to sign a contract with 20th Century Fox. At that time, my father had just been promoted to junior agent.” .
Marilyn Monroe and her agent Johnny Hyde, circa 1949. (Alami)
Hyde had a “serious heart condition,” Joel said, which prevented him from taking his dream client to the event. That’s when Brokaw intervened.
“He had to take her to auditions, and she was paid $55 a job, Screen Actors Guild minimum wage,” Joel explained. “He took her to acting classes, to premieres and TV shows she was doing. He spent a lot of time with her.
WATCH: ‘I Love Lucy’ star plays matchmaker between Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio: Author
“From what he told me about her, they really hit it off. He really liked her. He thought she was very smart. They had a really good relationship.”
Norman Brokaw later became Marilyn Monroe’s representative. (Brokaw Family)
Hyde died in 1950 at the age of 55.
In 1952, Brokaw and Monroe walked up to DiMaggio’s table to say hello. DiMaggio and Monroe continued to date for nearly two years before marrying at San Francisco City Hall in 1954.
A few months after the couple said “I do,” Brokaw got a call. It was from DiMaggio. According to the book, Monroe was no longer a client at that time.
Joe DiMaggio wanted Marilyn Monroe to become a housewife. She had other plans. (AFP via Getty Images)
“Joe DiMaggio got a piece of advice from my father at a critical moment in their marriage,” Joel said. “Joe really wanted Marilyn to become a full-time housewife. He became increasingly uncomfortable with Marilyn’s high profile and presence in public.
Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio’s marriage was said to have gone through some turmoil before it finally ended. (Underwood Files/Getty Images)
“So, my dad said to him, ‘I don’t know any woman who can convince you to stop hitting for the 56th game in a row. And I don’t know any man who can convince you a young actress not to be with Clark Gable or Spencer. Starring in the movie with Seth Tracy.
“This makes [a] The lightbulb continued to go on in Joe DiMaggio’s mind,” Joel said. “He thought the advice made the marriage last longer. . . . It also cemented my father’s lifelong friendship with Joe DiMaggio.
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Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio’s marriage lasted nine months. (New York Daily News archives via Getty Images.)
The power couple’s marriage lasted only nine months. Monroe filed for divorce from DiMaggio, citing “emotional abuse.”
In 1962, Brokaw and Monroe met again in a unique way.
At the time, Joel’s mother was hospitalized with schizophrenia. Brokaw needed help taking care of his sons. Dr. Ralph Greenson, Monroe’s psychiatrist who also worked with Joel’s mother, suggested housekeeper Eunice Murray.
In 1961, a year before her death, Marilyn Monroe reconnected with Joe DiMaggio. (Getty Images)
“He placed her around many of his patients, helping them with their daily responsibilities and keeping tabs on them,” Joel explained. “A few weeks ago, Eunice Murray walked in and found Marilyn Monroe dead. That was a very strange experience in my life.”
Mrs. Eunice Murray, the late Marilyn Monroe’s housekeeper, told reporters that the actress did not appear to be suicidal to her. (Getty Images)
“I really like Mrs. Murray,” Joel said. “But I also think she has a weird energy about her… That’s part of growing up in Hollywood — there’s a lot of weird stuff.”
Monroe died of a barbiturate overdose in 1962.
“This was his eternal love for her for the rest of his life,” Joel said.
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Joe DiMaggio’s last words were reportedly: “I finally got to meet Marilyn.” (Getty Images)
For 20 years, DiMaggio delivered fresh roses to Monroe’s grave twice a week. He outlived his ex-wife by nearly forty years. He died in 1999 at the age of 84.
DiMaggio’s attorney later said his last words were reportedly: “I finally get to see Marilyn.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
