Marilyn Monroe's former best friend Jeanne Carmen died of lymphoma at her home in California on Thursday (20Dec07).

The B-movie actress was 77.

Born in Arkansas, Carmen ran away from home as a teenager to seek her fortune in New York.

She became a model and burlesque dancer before developing a bizarre career as a trick-shot golfer, touring America as part of Jack Reed's sports revue.

During a stop in Hollywood, Carmen decided to give acting a go, and she quickly became a B-movie staple with her peroxide blonde locks and shapely figure.

Her life story, written by her son Brandon James, is in the process of being turned into a biopic. Christina Aguilera was reportedly connected to the project before she fell pregnant earlier this year (07).

In a recent interview with WENN, Carmen revealed she'd like Scarlett Johansson to portray her on the big screen. (KL/LAT&WN/LJ)

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