The Anti-Marilyn Monroe
Once Mogambo premiered, Hollywood fell in love with her. In the film’s betrayal scene, Kelly shoots her secret sweetheart with a gun. And the world got to witness the cool beauty lose control – in a role that won her the Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination and the Golden Globe.
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It was 1953, and the 24-year-old became famous overnight. Unlike her bombshell counterparts in Tinseltown, Kelly never felt the need to participate in beauty contests or cheesecake pin-ups. Time Magazine wrote that “She is a star who was never a starlet.” In fact, she was seen as the anti-Marilyn Monroe.