Eartha Kitt, Cat Woman and singer of Santa Baby dies at 81
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"Eartha Kitt, a sultry singer, dancer and actress who rose from South Carolina cotton fields to become an international symbol of elegance and sensuality, has died, a family spokesman said. She was 81.
Andrew Freedman said Kitt, who was recently treated at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, died Thursday in Connecticut of colon cancer.
Kitt, a self-proclaimed "sex kitten" famous for her catlike purr, was one of America's most versatile performers, winning two Emmys and nabbing a third nomination. She also was nominated for several Tonys and two Grammys.
Her career spanned six decades, from her start as a dancer with the famed Katherine Dunham troupe to cabarets and acting and singing on stage, in movies and on television. She persevered through an unhappy childhood as a mixed-race daughter of the South and made headlines in the 1960s for denouncing the Vietnam War during a visit to the White House.
Through the years, Kitt remained a picture of vitality and attracted fans less than half her age even as she neared 80.
When her book "Rejuvenate," a guide to staying physically fit, was published in 2001, Kitt was featured on the cover in a long, curve-hugging black dress with a figure that some 20-year-old women would envy. Kitt also wrote three autobiographies.
Once dubbed the "most exciting woman in the world" by Orson Welles, she spent much of her life single, though brief romances with the rich and famous peppered her younger years."
Andrew Freedman said Kitt, who was recently treated at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, died Thursday in Connecticut of colon cancer.
Kitt, a self-proclaimed "sex kitten" famous for her catlike purr, was one of America's most versatile performers, winning two Emmys and nabbing a third nomination. She also was nominated for several Tonys and two Grammys.
Her career spanned six decades, from her start as a dancer with the famed Katherine Dunham troupe to cabarets and acting and singing on stage, in movies and on television. She persevered through an unhappy childhood as a mixed-race daughter of the South and made headlines in the 1960s for denouncing the Vietnam War during a visit to the White House.
Through the years, Kitt remained a picture of vitality and attracted fans less than half her age even as she neared 80.
When her book "Rejuvenate," a guide to staying physically fit, was published in 2001, Kitt was featured on the cover in a long, curve-hugging black dress with a figure that some 20-year-old women would envy. Kitt also wrote three autobiographies.
Once dubbed the "most exciting woman in the world" by Orson Welles, she spent much of her life single, though brief romances with the rich and famous peppered her younger years."
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- News and Politics, Entertainment, Movies, Celebrity, 2 more
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Cynic2
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She told it like it was to Lady Bird Johnson re the Vietnam War.
- 3 years ago
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Cynic2
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phillyharper
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Eartha Kitt and friends singing Santa Baby...
- 3 years ago
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phillyharper
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J_Jammer [removed]
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hahaha..Emperor's new Groove is awesome because of her. She was a great catwoman. I was just talking about her yesterday at lunch when someone said Halie Berry was a good catwoman I said the only good black catwoman was Kitt.
- 3 years ago
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J_Jammer [removed]
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dkvt332
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She was definately the best of the cat women, just by the way she spoke.
- 3 years ago
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dkvt332
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SilenceNoMore
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Wow. I loved her in Ernest scared stupid and the emperors new groove. I also think its really interesting that she rose to fame by singing santa baby and she died on christmas, She will definately be missed
- 3 years ago
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SilenceNoMore
