About
Eartha Kitt, born Eartha Mae Keith in 1927 in South Carolina, was a versatile American artist. She began with Katherine Dunham's troupe and gained fame on Broadway in 'New Faces of 1952'. Her signature songs include 'Santa Baby' and 'C'est Si Bon'. She played Catwoman in the 'Batman' series in 1967. Politically engaged, she criticized the Vietnam War in 1968, leading to a blacklisting. She made a comeback in the 1970s. She voiced Yzma in 'The Emperor's New Groove'. She received multiple Tony and Grammy nominations and won two Daytime Emmy Awards. She died in 2008.
* 1927-01-17 — † 2008-12-25
Major works
- New Faces of 1952 (1952)Broadway revue
- Santa Baby (1953)song
- C'est Si Bonsong
- The Emperor's New Groove (2000)animated film
- Thursday's Child (1956)autobiography
Key milestones
- 1948Joined Katherine Dunham's troupe and stayed in Paris when the troupe returned to the U.S.
- 1967Played Catwoman in the 'Batman' television series.
- 1968Criticized the Vietnam War at a White House luncheon, leading to her blacklisting.
Themes
artistic versatilitypolitical activismresilienceseduction and glamourvoice and stage presence
Sources: kennedy-center.org · id.loc.gov · walkoffame.com