Eartha Mae Kitt
- Born:
- January 17, 1927, North, South Carolina, USA
- Died:
- December 25, 2008, Weston, Connecticut, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Singer, Actress, Dancer, Activist
Early Life and Education
- Born to a sharecropper mother; raised by various family members and foster families.
- Experienced racial discrimination and poverty in her early years.
- Received limited formal education.
- Joined the Katherine Dunham Company in the late 1940s, launching her performing career.
Career and Major Achievements
- Rose to fame as a cabaret singer and dancer in Europe and the United States.
- Made her Broadway debut in 1950 in the revue "New Faces of 1952".
- Achieved international recognition for her distinctive voice and charismatic stage presence.
- Portrayed Catwoman in the third season of the 1960s Batman television series.
- Faced professional backlash after making anti-war statements at a White House luncheon in 1968.
- Experienced a career resurgence in the late 1970s and 1980s, performing in nightclubs and on Broadway.
- Won two Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Performer in an Animated Program for "The Emperor's New School".
- Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Notable Works
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1957 | The Mark of the Hawk | Reniera |
| 1958 | St. Louis Blues | Gogo Germaine |
| 1992 | Boomerang | Lady Eloise |
| 2007 | Hairspray | DJ (voice) |
Discography (Selected)
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 1954 | RCA Victor Presents Eartha Kitt |
| 1957 | That Bad Eartha |
| 1962 | Bad But Beautiful |
| 1994 | Back in Business |
Legacy and Impact
The life and work of Eartha Kitt demonstrate a remarkable career spanning stage, screen, and music. Her powerful voice, captivating performances, and outspoken advocacy left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry and beyond. Her activism, though initially met with controversy, paved the way for future artists to speak out on social and political issues.