Academy Award-winning actress Susan Sarandon is playing the mother of Norma Jeane Mortenson (Kelli Garner) in the Lifetime two-night miniseries “The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe.” It will delve into Marilyn’s family life, which wasn’t easy. Her mother, Gladys Mortenson, suffered from mental illness which left her unable to care for Norma Jeane. But also ultimately unable to destroy her.
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The miniseries goes so far back in the Mortenson family history that viewers see a young Gladys, who is portrayed by Sarandon’s real life daughter, actress Eva Amurri Martino. (Eva’s father is director Franco Amurri. She is married to professional soccer player Kyle Martino.) Eva Amurri Martino is best known for her roles in The Banger Sisters (with her mother, she played her daughter), and the TV series Californication (Jackie). Martino is currently in the new TV sitcom Undateable (Sabrina). The Secret Life of Marilyn Monroe premieres on Lifetime on May 30 at 8pm.
