by Tim Gordon
Turner Classic Movies (TCM)’s annual “Summer Under the Stars” series spotlights one actor’s work daily. As an inspiration, we present our companion series, Summer Madness. The series will spotlight the achievements and films of one Black actor, daily throughout August.
Day 4
Eartha Mae Kitt (born Eartha Mae Keith; January 17, 1927 – December 25, 2008) was an American singer and actress known for her highly distinctive singing style and her 1953 recordings of “C’est si bon” and the Christmas novelty song “Santa Baby”.
Kitt began her career in 1942 and appeared in the 1945 original Broadway theatre production of the musical Carib Song. In the early 1950s, Kitt had six US Top 30 entries, including “Uska Dara” (1953) and “I Want to Be Evil” (1953). Her other recordings include the UK Top 10 song “Under the Bridges of Paris” (1954), “Just an Old Fashioned Girl” (1956) and “Where Is My Man” (1983). Orson Welles once called her the “most exciting woman in the world.” Kitt starred as Catwoman in the third and final season of the television series Batman in 1967.
In 1968, Kitt’s career in the U.S. deteriorated after she made anti-Vietnam War statements at a White House luncheon. Ten years later, Kitt made a successful return to Broadway in the 1978 original production of the musical Timbuktu!, for which she received the first of her two Tony Award nominations. Kitt’s second was for the 2000 original production of the musical The Wild Party. Kitt wrote three autobiographies.
Kitt found a new generation of fans through her roles in the Disney films The Emperor’s New Groove, in which she voiced the villainous Yzma and Holes. Kitt reprised the role as Yzma in the direct-to-video sequel Kronk’s New Groove, as well as the animated series The Emperor’s New School. Her work on the latter earned her two Daytime Emmy Awards. Kitt posthumously won a third Emmy in 2010 for her guest performance on Wonder Pets!
Recommended films:
Anna Lucasta (’58)
St. Louis Blues (’58)
Boomerang (’92)
The Emperor’s New Groove (’00)
