The Pin-up Files

Earl Moran pin-up artist | 2/2

1893-1984

A prolific artist and photographer, Earl Moran's pinups had more variety than any other contemporary contributor to the genre


A young model named Norma Jean Dougherty approached this famed artist in an attempt to pose for a painting. For four years Moran painted Marilyn Monroe and they created a lasting friendship. She always credited him with making her legs look better than they were as she felt they were too thin.

Earl Moran

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In 1940, LIFE Magazine featured Moran in their article "Speaking of Pictures" and the American audience was in awe.

Breaking in via advertising work for Sears-Roebuck, Moran went on to magazine illustration, movie posters ("Something for the Boys" 1944) and even co-published with Robert Harrison an early "girlie" magazine, Beauty Parade, contributing covers, sometimes under his middle name non de plume, "Steffa", and he later contributed pinups to other Harrison magazines such as Flirt, Wink and Giggles.

In 1946, Moran moved to Hollywood though he had already painted many movie stars including Betty Grable, for publicity posters. Soon after his arrival, he interviewed a young starlet named Norma Jean Dougherty who wanted to model for him.

After a move to Las Vegas (circa 1955) and several years of living in the fast lane, Moran decided to devote his time to painting fine-art subjects in oils, with nudes as his favorite theme. Signing with Aaron Brothers Galleries, he painted for collectors until 1982, when his eyesight failed.

All Pin-up Files gallery images are subject to copyright and must not be considered to be in the public domain. All copyright information is shown where known.