Marilyn began her career in the entertainment industry in 1983 when CBS television's Guiding Light cast her in a recurring role as Nurse Norwood. Her real background as a registered nurse allowed her to add realism to her role and soon she found her involvement with the show expanding as she began working closely with the writing team and set design. Six months later, Marilyn accepted the position as Medical Advisor for the show.  A year later NBC television's Another World called her to assist them with the creation and production of the first AIDS storyline to air on daytime television.

As Marilyn's notoriety spread other shows began to call.  By 1987, she was working for all three major networks.  Soonafter, major motion picture studios began to seek her expertise in coordinating their medical needs. With this expanding demand, Benner Medical Productions Inc.was formed.  A year later, Marilyn opened Benner Medical Props Inc. The prop house provided medical equipment for medical scenes.

After 20 years of heavy involvement in the entertainment industry, Marilyn elected to sell her prop house and downsize her business activities in order to concentrate on the creative development side of select projects.  She accepted the position of Medical Advisor for NBC television's Law & Orderand CBS television's As the World Turns. Additionally, she purchased the rights to a true life story.

In 2002, Marilyn moved to North Carolina to be near her family.  She is currently the Medical Script Supervisor for As The World Turns and is periodically called on to trouble-shoot storylines and dialogue for other major network shows.

Marilyn is presently working on the feature film development of a true life story, Heartshadowsand a screenplay adaptation of a book by Gwen Hunter, titled Betrayal.  She is also in the editing process of her first novel, The Visitor. 

Recognizing the increased interest and power of medical stories to engage readers and viewers, Marilyn has partnered with David Pearson, M.D. an emergency medicine physician & writer to form a medical editing company medicalstoryeditor.com.