Born in Camden, New Jersey, and raised in Watertown, New York, her mother named her after Marilyn Monroe. After high school, Norma Jean set off on her own, working three jobs and falling in love with community theater. Over the course of her career, she has performed in many hit stage productions. She is revered for her ability to artfully master over ten dialects. Norma Jean is often compared to other rubber-faced comediennes such as Imogene Coca, Carol Burnett, Vicki Lawrence, and Lily Tomlin.

Norma Jean currently voices the role of "Shandra Keating" in Celeritas, a sci-fi podcast that ranks in the top ten of all SciFi podcasts in 15 countries. A gifted comedienne, she performs on TikTok as Smokin' Bev, an opinionated and sometimes offensive character based on her mother.

Norma Jean holds an Interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science degree in International Business and Public Speaking from SUNY Empire State College in Saratoga Springs, NY. She currently resides in Austin, Texas.