Marilyn Monroe
The personal life of Marilyn Monroe (Kelli Garner, pictured) is the subject of Lifetime's new movie, "The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe." Lifetime

Marilyn Monroe was one of the most recognizable public figures of the 20th century, but the actress had a busy and tumultuous life behind the scenes as well. Now Lifetime is tapping the controversial starlet’s personal life for "The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe," a two-part television movie event that kicks off Saturday. Fans will not want to miss any of the action!

“The Secret Life of Marilyn” Monroe premieres on Lifetime Saturday with the first two-hour chapter at 8 p.m. EDT and will return the next night with part two on Sunday at 8 p.m. EDT. The TV movie is based on the New York Times best selling book by J. Randy Taraborrelli, also titled “The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe,” which explores the famed actress’ childhood and personal struggles after finding fame.

The four-hour television event will span Monroe’s life from her childhood – born Norma Jeane Mortenson in Los Angeles – to her rise to fame, to her high profile marriages with playwright Arthur Miller and baseball player Joe DiMaggio. At the core of the movie is Monroe’s relationship with her mother, from whom she inherited severe depression and mental illness. Though the movie studios propagated that Monroe’s mother was dead, the actress’ biggest secret was the toll her unhealthy relationship with her very-much-alive mother took on her.

“The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe” has a lot of star power behind it. Kelli Garner, most famous for her role in the short-lived ABC series “Pan Am,” will take on the titular role, but the real treat will be Oscar winner Susan Sarandon as Monroe’s mother, Gladys Mortenson. Rounding out the cast is Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Joe DiMaggio, Emily Watson as Grace McKee, and Stephen Bogaert as Arthur Miller.

Watch the trailer for “The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe” below:

What will “The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe” reveal about the iconic star? Fans will have to tune in to find out. The Lifetime biopic begins Saturday, May 30 at 8 p.m. EDT.

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