The 'Blonde' Cast and the Real-Life People They Play

Blonde has landed on Netflix, and the film follows the life of iconic film star Marilyn Monroe in a fictionalized tale based on Joyce Carol Oates' book of the same name.

While the story may be based on a novel, the characters that appear in Andrew Dominik's film are based on real people that were in Monroe's life.

Here is everything you need to know about the cast and their real-life counterparts.

The 'Blonde' Cast and the Real-Life People They Play

Ana de Armas is Marilyn Monroe

Ana de Armas takes on the lead role of Monroe, whose real name was Norma Jeane Mortenson.

Monroe is one of Hollywood's most iconic movie stars and she is best known for her roles in classic films such as Some Like it Hot, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, and The Seven Year Itch.

De Armas hails from Cuba and she has appeared in films like Knives Out, Blade Runner 2049, and No Time to Die.

Director Dominik spoke to Sight and Sound about how he approached filming de Armas so that she looked as close to Monroe as possible.

He said: "We had all kinds of rules. Ana looks more like Marilyn if you have the camera up high. And if you've got a 50mm lens, her face—it's more like Marilyn's. We were always trying to make her look like specific images of Marilyn."

Adrien Brody is The Playwright, aka Arthur Miller

Adrien Brody appears in Blonde in the role of The Playwright, who is Norma Jeane's third husband and renowned for his theater work.

Though the film names Brody's character as "The Playwright," he is based on Arthur Miller, who was Monroe's third husband and was married to her from 1956 to 1961.

Miller is indeed renowned for the plays he has written, with some of his work including Death of a Salesman, All My Sons, and A View from the Bridge.

Brody is a well-known actor who won an Academy Award in 2003 for Best Actor for his role as Władysław Szpilman in The Pianist, he is also a regular collaborator of Wes Anderson and has appeared in films like The Grand Budapest Hotel and The Darjeeling Limited.

Bobby Cannavale as the Ex-Athlete, aka Joe DiMaggio

In Blonde, Bobby Cannavale portrays Norma Jeane's second husband who is named as the "Ex-Athlete" and is based on Joe DiMaggio.

DiMaggio played professional baseball for 13 years for the New York Yankees, and during his time with the team they won nine World Series championships.

The sportsman was indeed the second husband of Monroe, they were married in January 1954, but they then divorced nine months later after DiMaggio was said to be angry at Monroe's iconic shoot that saw her stand over a subway grate as the skirt of her white dress was blown in the air.

Cannavale is known for his roles in shows like Mr. Robot and Will & Grace. He has also appeared in films like The Irishman and I, Tonya.

Xavier Samuel as Cass Chaplin, aka Charlie Chaplin Jr.

Xavier Samuel takes on the role of Cass Chaplin in Blonde, a character based on Charlie Chaplin Jr., the son of the silent film legend Charlie Chaplin.

In the film it is suggested that Monroe was dating Chaplin Jr. and Edward G. Robinson Jr. at the same time, and that they were a "throuple."

This relationship between the trio is not based on fact, however Monroe did know Chaplin Jr. and they are said to have dated. He wrote about introducing her to his family in his book My Father, Charlie Chaplin, per Radio Times.

Samuel is an Australian actor who has previously appeared in films like Elvis and The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.

Evan Williams as Eddy G. Robinson Jr., aka Edward G. Robinson Jr.

This brings us to Edward G. Robinson Jr. who is portrayed by Evan Williams and goes by the nickname "Eddy" in Blonde.

Per Radio Times, Anthony Summers's biography Goddess: The Secret Lives of Marilyn Monroe claims Monroe had a relationship with Robinson Jr., though this was said to be after she'd dated Chaplin Jr.

Robinson Jr. was a successful actor in his own right, and he even appeared in Monroe's iconic film Some Like it Hot.

Williams is a Canadian actor and musician who has appeared in shows like Versailles and Degrassi: The Next Generation.

Blonde is out now on Netflix.