Monroe Photographer Dies in Florida

8 months ago 28th Mar 06:30

Joseph Jasgur, the photographer who helped launch Marilyn Monroe's career, has died two days before his 90th birthday.

Jasgur, who passed away at a Florida nursing home on Saturday (21Mar09), took the first professional shots of the actress, who was 19 when she posed for him in 1946.

Back then, the snapper described her as a "plain, ordinary girl" who was hoping to break into modelling.

His shots of Monroe made up part of the portfolio that won the actress a deal with 20th Century Fox.

Jasgur spent the final years of his life trying to win back the legal rights to the photos he took of Monroe.

The photographer was also one of Hollywood's first paparazzi, and also made a living by beating the police to crime scenes and taking photos.