In 1989 Manson formed the band Marilyn Manson, and also took on the name for himself – a hybrid of Marilyn Monroe and Charles Manson, chosen to represent the dichotomy of good and evil. Within a few short years, the band had become one of the most popular acts in South Florida, and by 1993, Nine Inch Nails' member, Trent Reznor, had offered the band a contract with his own record label. Portrait of an American Family was released in 1994, taking Manson’s dark music beyond sunny South Florida into mainstream America.

In 1995 Manson released his next album, Smells Like Children, which included a hit cover of the Eurythmics synth-pop song, "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)." By the time Antichrist Superstar was released in 1996, Manson had established his image as a provocative "shock rocker," challenging notions of societal norms and generating a cult-following in the process.

With his music career taking off, Manson also began to branch out into film, landing a role as a porn star in David Lynch's 1997 film Lost Highway. He also appeared alongside former girlfriend, Rose McGowan, in the 1998 film, Jawbreaker. In 2002, Manson was featured in Michael Moore’s documentary on violence in America, Bowling for Columbine. This time, Manson shocked audiences in a different way, sharing an articulate and thoughtful perspective on the connection between fear and consumption in the media. During a July 2005 interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Manson confirmed that he was shifting his focus from music to film making.

In addition to music, Manson is also a painter and has exhibited his work throughout Los Angeles, Paris, and Berlin. Manson’s paintings have been purchased by fellow celebs Jack Osbourne, Nicolas Cage, Dave Navarro, Andy Dick, and Lisa Marie Presley. On October 31, 2006, Manson opened his own art gallery, The Celebritarian Corp. Gallery of Fine Art, in Los Angeles.

In December 2005, Manson married his girlfriend of four years, burlesque performer, Dita Von Teese. In January 2007, Von Teese filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences. Manson has previously dated porn stars Traci Lords and Jenna Jameson, and was also engaged to actress Rose McGowan.

YUDDY