Lawrence Schiller (b. 1936, Brooklyn, NY) is a celebrated American photographer, filmmaker, and author renowned for his iconic images of Marilyn Monroe. Raised in San Diego, Schiller overcame impaired vision in one eye to become a prolific photographer whose work appeared in publications such as Life, Playboy, Glamour, and the Saturday Evening Post by the time he graduated from Pepperdine College. His career was shaped by an obsessive dedication to capturing defining moments and personalities of the twentieth century.
Schiller's art found its most enduring subject in Marilyn Monroe, whose collaboration with him during the filming of Let’s Make Love (1960) and Something’s Got to Give (1962) produced some of the most intimate and celebrated photographs of the Hollywood icon. In May 1962, Schiller captured Monroe in candid and nude pool scenes for Paris Match, documenting her allure and vulnerability during the final months of her life. Monroe’s trust in Schiller allowed him privileged access, creating images praised for their visual artistry and evocative portrayal of Monroe’s complex persona. Schiller described the pool shoot: “Marilyn was a photographer’s dream subject with her clothes on, and even more stunning with them off. Her wet skin glistened. Her eyes sparkled. Her smile was provocative...”.
He extended his talents beyond Monroe, photographing legends such as Muhammad Ali, Robert F. Kennedy, Barbra Streisand, and Bette Davis. Schiller also became known for his editorial collaboration with Norman Mailer, co-authoring and producing books and films that won prestigious honors, including the Pulitzer Prize and Emmy Awards.
Schiller's work is in museum collections, including the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Millennium Museum (Beijing), and has been exhibited globally from London to New York. His photos remain seminal records of American cultural history, blending technical mastery with an instinct for significant moments in art, politics, and pop culture. Lawrence Schiller continues to consult for major archives and institutions, preserving photographic legacies for future generations.