Jayne Mansfield (born Vera Jayne Palmer; April 19, 1933 – June 29, 1967) was an American film, theatre, and television actress, and major Hollywood sex symbol during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Mansfield was 20th Century Fox's alternative Marilyn Monroe, who came to be known as the "Working Man's Monroe" or the "Poor Man's Monroe" during her career. Mansfield was also a noted rival to other Hollywood blondes including Mamie Van Doren, Anita Ekberg, and Sheree North. She was also famous for her promotional drive and publicity stunts. Mansfield became a major Broadway star in 1955, a major Hollywood star in 1956, the darling of the movie community in 1957. She was one of Hollywood's original blonde bombshells, and although many people have never seen her movies, Jayne Mansfield remains one of the most recognizable icons of 1950s celebrity culture. Her hourglass figure (she claimed dimensions of 40-21-35), unique sashaying walk, breathy baby talk and cleavage-revealing costumes made a lasting impact on popular culture. From 1955 until the early 1960s, Mansfield was seen as Hollywood's gaudiest, boldest D-cupped B-grade actress.