Marilyn Monroe Production’s Signed Payroll Check to Hazel Washington, June 24, 1960

This original payroll check, issued on June 24, 1960, by Marilyn Monroe Productions, Inc., and personally signed by Marilyn Monroe, was made payable to Hazel Washington, Marilyn’s Los Angeles housekeeper and domestic employee.

By 1960, Marilyn Monroe had firmly established herself not only as one of the world’s most famous actresses, but as an independent businesswoman. In 1955, she had co founded Marilyn Monroe Productions, breaking away from the traditional Hollywood studio system and securing unprecedented control over her career. Through this company, Marilyn managed her own professional affairs, including the payment of employees who supported both her personal life and business operations.

Hazel Washington was part of Marilyn’s trusted household staff in Los Angeles, assisting with the daily maintenance and management of Marilyn’s home. Domestic staff such as Hazel played an essential role in allowing Marilyn to balance the intense demands of her professional career with the practical realities of her private life.

The check was drawn on the Colonial Trust Company at Rockefeller Center in New York, the primary banking institution used by Marilyn Monroe Productions. Although Hazel worked in Los Angeles, her payroll was issued through Marilyn’s New York based production company, reflecting the corporate structure Marilyn had established to manage her financial independence.

The check amount of $85.30 includes detailed payroll deductions for federal tax, FICA, and state tax, clearly identifying it as an official payroll payment rather than a personal gift or informal transaction. Marilyn Monroe’s bold signature appears across the lower right corner, providing direct physical evidence of her active role in managing her company and employees.

In June 1960, Marilyn was entering a new chapter in her career, preparing for upcoming film work while continuing to oversee Monroe Productions. Financial documents such as this provide rare and intimate insight into Marilyn’s life beyond the screen, revealing her responsibilities not only as a performer, but as an employer and business owner.