--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I never worked with Marilyn Monroe, but…" description: "\"I never worked with Marilyn Monroe, but if she'd lived, I think she would have been all right. She would have been President of the United States.\" — W..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb8/walter-matthau-17641_has-beens_i-never-worked-with-marilyn-monroe-but-i_3137758.png" --- # I never worked with Marilyn Monroe, but if she'd lived, I… ![“I never worked with Marilyn Monroe, but if she'd lived, I think she would have been all right. She would have been President of the United States.” quote by Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb8/walter-matthau-17641_has-beens_i-never-worked-with-marilyn-monroe-but-i_3137758.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb8/walter-matthau-17641_has-beens_i-never-worked-with-marilyn-monroe-but-i_3137758.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb8/walter-matthau-17641_has-beens_i-never-worked-with-marilyn-monroe-but-i_3137758.png) > “I never worked with Marilyn Monroe, but if she'd lived, I think she would have been all right. She would have been President of the United States.” [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Even without direct collaboration, the speaker imagines Marilyn Monroe achieving the highest political office, highlighting her iconic status and potential influence. **In simple terms:** Imagines Monroe as president. Key Takeaway Consider how cultural icons could lead. Themes imagination politics iconic figures potential legacy Mood humorous contemplative Type satirical thought‑provoking When to use this quote - political commentary - celebrity analysis - historical what‑ifs - media discussion Key Concepts cultural speculation role of fame in leadership Questions to Reflect On - What qualities make a celebrity a plausible leader? - How does fame affect political credibility? A Different Perspective Speculative and not grounded in fact. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Has beens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/has-beens/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Lived Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lived-think-5577648/) [Marilyn monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marilyn-monroe/) [Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monroe/) [Monroe Lived](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monroe-lived-5577647/) [President](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/president/) [Right President](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-president-532945/) [States](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/states/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [United](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/united/) [United states](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/united-states/) [Worked Marilyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worked-marilyn-5524375/) ## Related quotes > [One of my favorite credits is to say that I worked behind Marilyn Monroe, and I love saying that. She was phenomenal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-chakiris/one-of-my-favorite-credits-is-to-say-that-i-worked-behind-marilyn/) [George Chakiris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-chakiris/) > [The working men, I'll go by and they'll whistle. At first they whistle because they think, 'Oh, it's a girl. She's got blond hair…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-monroe/the-working-men-i-ll-go-by-and-they-ll-whistle-at-first-they-whistle/) [Marilyn Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-monroe/) > [I'd kill myself if I was as fat as Marilyn Monroe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-hurley/i-d-kill-myself-if-i-was-as-fat-as-marilyn-monroe/) [Elizabeth Hurley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-hurley/) > [I remember writing 'The One I Can't Have' at the kitchen table. I was looking at a picture of Truman Capote with Marilyn Monroe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-thompson/i-remember-writing-the-one-i-can-t-have-at-the-kitchen-table-i-was/) [Teddy Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-thompson/) > [I wouldn't say no to becoming a Bond girl. Making it in Hollywood has been my dream ever since I was little, watching Marilyn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-haddock/i-wouldn-t-say-no-to-becoming-a-bond-girl-making-it-in-hollywood-has/) [Laura Haddock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-haddock/) > [If Marilyn Monroe was alive right now, what would she be doing?' Clawing at the roof of her coffin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-palahniuk/if-marilyn-monroe-was-alive-right-now-what-would-she-be-doing-clawing/) [Chuck Palahniuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-palahniuk/) > [I love Marilyn Monroe. I think she was the coolest blonde. I think like me she just didn't care what anyone thinks. She's happy.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paris-hilton/i-love-marilyn-monroe-i-think-she-was-the-coolest-blonde-i-think-like/) [Paris Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paris-hilton/) > [Marilyn Monroe was no fun to work with. She would report to work around 5:00 in the evening. You've been in make-up since 8:30…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-randall/marilyn-monroe-was-no-fun-to-work-with-she-would-report-to-work/) [Tony Randall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-randall/) > [“The worst thing is to have all that clout and not know your own mind. If she says her (Marilyn Monroe's)favorite color is beige,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colin-clark/the-worst-thing-is-to-have-all-that-clout-and-not-know-your-own-mind/) [Colin Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colin-clark/) > [Honey, you know no matter how much time I spend, I'll never look spot on like Marilyn Monroe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shangela/honey-you-know-no-matter-how-much-time-i-spend-i-ll-never-look-spot/) [Shangela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shangela/) > [I just feel a connection with Marilyn Monroe. I just love her. I just completely feel what she went through.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-nicole-smith/i-just-feel-a-connection-with-marilyn-monroe-i-just-love-her-i-just/) [Anna Nicole Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-nicole-smith/) > [Like me, Marilyn Monroe had suffered at the hands of some not very nice men. She was used, unappreciated and struggled to find herself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-madison/like-me-marilyn-monroe-had-suffered-at-the-hands-of-some-not-very/) [Holly Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-madison/) > [I used to sit near Marilyn Monroe in the Actor's Studio. She'd get dressed up because that was her identity. Sad. Those cameras wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/doris-roberts/i-used-to-sit-near-marilyn-monroe-in-the-actor-s-studio-she-d-get/) [Doris Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/doris-roberts/) > [The difference between Marilyn Monroe and the early Pamela Anderson is not that great.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-hefner/the-difference-between-marilyn-monroe-and-the-early-pamela-anderson/) [Hugh Hefner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-hefner/) > [Marilyn Monroe appeared to be perfect, but she wasn't perfect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-varney/marilyn-monroe-appeared-to-be-perfect-but-she-wasn-t-perfect/) [Janet Varney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-varney/) ## More by Walter Matthau > [I still think I'm 28. I'm 73. I think I'm 28, though, except that I won't get into a fight with anybody because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/i-still-think-i-m-28-i-m-73-i-think-i-m-28-though-except-that-i-won-t/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [To be successful in show business, all you need are 50 good breaks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/to-be-successful-in-show-business-all-you-need-are-50-good-breaks/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [I was playing Russell Long, the senator from Louisiana. I had 12 speech teachers watching me. All the other passengers on the airplane were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/i-was-playing-russell-long-the-senator-from-louisiana-i-had-12-speech/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [Doing a movie is like eating five hundred canapes at a cocktail party - you're never really full. You don't feel as though you've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/doing-a-movie-is-like-eating-five-hundred-canapes-at-a-cocktail-party/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [I always had one ear offstage, listening for the call from the bookie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/i-always-had-one-ear-offstage-listening-for-the-call-from-the-bookie/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [Every actor looks all his life for a part that will combine his talents with his personality... 'The Odd Couple' was mine. That was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/every-actor-looks-all-his-life-for-a-part-that-will-combine-his/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [I can relate to anything. I once played Macbeth. I got a lot of laughs, so I quit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/i-can-relate-to-anything-i-once-played-macbeth-i-got-a-lot-of-laughs/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [Sometimes it takes me six months before I find out what a line means, even if the writing is superficial... To do a play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/sometimes-it-takes-me-six-months-before-i-find-out-what-a-line-means/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [You see, my father was a Catholic priest, Greek Orthodox, but I think he started out as a Jew, then he became a Catholic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/you-see-my-father-was-a-catholic-priest-greek-orthodox-but-i-think-he/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [We're writing a book together. She just finished one. Did you read it? Among the Porcupines?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/we-re-writing-a-book-together-she-just-finished-one-did-you-read-it/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [I have more talent in my smallest fart than you have in your entire body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/i-have-more-talent-in-my-smallest-fart-than-you-have-in-your-entire/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [My doctor gave me six months to live, but when I couldn't pay the bill he gave me six months more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/my-doctor-gave-me-six-months-to-live-but-when-i-couldn-t-pay-the-bill/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [The first girl you go to bed with is always pretty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/the-first-girl-you-go-to-bed-with-is-always-pretty/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [When I was about eighteen, I saw myself as a rather sensitive, delicate, poetic, romantic figure. And then I got into the Civilian Conservation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/when-i-was-about-eighteen-i-saw-myself-as-a-rather-sensitive-delicate/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [I could play a cop, I could play a crook, I could play a lawyer, I could play a dentist, I could play an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/i-could-play-a-cop-i-could-play-a-crook-i-could-play-a-lawyer-i-could/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) [Explore all 36 Walter Matthau quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) ## More Has beens quotes > [Whatever meaning 'Annie's Song' had for me on a personal level, there was also a larger context. It could just as easily have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-denver/whatever-meaning-annie-s-song-had-for-me-on-a-personal-level-there/) [John Denver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-denver/) > [In the entire history of the universe, let alone in your own history, there has never been another day just like today, and there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-buechner/in-the-entire-history-of-the-universe-let-alone-in-your-own-history/) [Frederick Buechner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-buechner/) > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [Mankind have been slow to believe that order reigns in the universe-that the world is a cosmos and a chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/mankind-have-been-slow-to-believe-that-order-reigns-in-the-universe/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [We find few historians who have been diligent enough in their search for truth; it is their common method to take on trust what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dryden/we-find-few-historians-who-have-been-diligent-enough-in-their-search/) [John Dryden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dryden/) > [Gambling has held human beings in thrall for millennia. It has been engaged in everywhere, from the dregs of society to the most respectable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-l-bernstein/gambling-has-held-human-beings-in-thrall-for-millennia-it-has-been/) [Peter L. Bernstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-l-bernstein/) > [And I have been very blessed, having coached some of the greatest that have ever played the game. But if I had to start…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/red-auerbach/and-i-have-been-very-blessed-having-coached-some-of-the-greatest-that/) [Red Auerbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/red-auerbach/) > [My folks tried to make a preacher of me and missed by a narrow margin… I would have made a good one if I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/my-folks-tried-to-make-a-preacher-of-me-and-missed-by-a-narrow-margin/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [Here's the reality. The image of a white Jesus has been used to justify enslavement, conquest, colonialism, the genocide of indigenous peoples. There are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-wise/here-s-the-reality-the-image-of-a-white-jesus-has-been-used-to/) [Tim Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-wise/) > [A lot of people have been saying 'The 100' reminds them of 'Lord Of The Flies,' 'Lost' and 'Battlestar Galactica,' and all of those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-avgeropoulos/a-lot-of-people-have-been-saying-the-100-reminds-them-of-lord-of-the/) [Marie Avgeropoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-avgeropoulos/) > [I've long believed one of the mainsprings of our own liberty has been the widespread ownership of property among our people and the expectation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/i-ve-long-believed-one-of-the-mainsprings-of-our-own-liberty-has-been/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [During the last 17 years... 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Its strains…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/the-world-s-history-is-a-divine-poem-of-which-the-history-of-every/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) [Browse all 17,972 Has beens quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/has-beens/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I never worked with Marilyn Monroe, but if she'd lived, I think she would have been all right. 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