Eartha Kitt

Date of Birth: January 17, 1927

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: December 25, 2008

Biography

Eartha Kitt was an American actress, singer, dancer, and civil rights activist renowned for her distinctive voice and captivating stage presence. Born on January 17, 1927, in North, South Carolina, Kitt faced a difficult childhood, growing up in poverty and experiencing significant racial discrimination. Despite these challenges, she pursued a career in entertainment, quickly rising to fame in the 1950s as a nightclub singer and dancer. Kitt’s unique voice and sultry style made her a popular recording artist with hits such as “C’est Si Bon” and the holiday classic “Santa Baby.” Her acting career was equally impressive, with notable roles in film, television, and Broadway. She famously played Catwoman in the 1960s TV series “Batman” and earned critical acclaim for her performances in “The Mark of the Hawk” and “Anna Lucasta.” Throughout her life, Kitt was also a passionate advocate for social justice, using her platform to speak out against racial inequality and support the civil rights movement. Her outspoken nature sometimes led to controversy, but she remained a beloved and influential figure until her death on December 25, 2008.

5 Interesting Facts about Eartha Kitt

1. Eartha Kitt was fluent in four languages: English, French, German, and Turkish.

2. She was blacklisted in the United States for nearly a decade after speaking out against the Vietnam War at a White House luncheon in 1968.

3. Kitt received two Daytime Emmy Awards for her voice work as Yzma in the animated series “The Emperor’s New School.”

4. She was nominated for three Tony Awards over her career, notably for her performance in the musical “Timbuktu!”.

5. Kitt’s role as Catwoman in the “Batman” TV series made her the first African American woman to play the character in a live-action production.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Eartha Kitt

1. “I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma.”

2. “My recipe for life is not being afraid of myself, afraid of what I think, or of my opinions.”

3. “A man has always wanted to lay me down but he never wanted to pick me up.”

4. “I don’t carry myself as a black person, but as a woman that belongs to everybody.”

5. “Greed is so destructive. It destroys everything.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of her career, Eartha Kitt’s net worth was estimated to be around $4 million.

Children

Eartha Kitt had one daughter, Kitt McDonald Shapiro, born on November 26, 1961. Kitt McDonald Shapiro has worked as a writer and businesswoman and maintains the legacy of her mother through various projects, including managing Eartha Kitt Productions.