Click and collect from your local waterstones or get free uk delivery on orders over. Eartha kitt passed away on christmas day 2008, never knowing her fathers name at that time, being a lightskinned black person in the black south was just as. At 15, she quit high school to work in a brooklyn factory. Eartha kitts daughter on her mothers last attempt to. Eartha kitts heart and wisdom, her daughters designs. Dec 26, 2008 eartha kitt, who purred and pounced her way across broadway stages, recording studios and movie and television screens in a showbusiness career that lasted more than six decades, died on thursday. Eartha kitt was an international star who gave new meaning to the word versatile. Eartha kitt books list of books by author eartha kitt. Explore books by eartha kitt with our selection at. Oct 19, 20 eartha kitt in a tv series in 1975 during her stay in britain. Wtnh the daughter of legendary singer eartha kitt talks with ann nyberg about her famous mothers rough upbringing to celebrity status. Kitts mother was a sharecropper of africanamerican and cherokee native american descent.
An outofwedlock child, eartha kitt was born in the cotton fields of south carolina. Nov 16, 2008 eartha kitt just an old fashioned girl duration. Kitt died of colorectal cancer in weston, connecticut. She joined the troupe on its european tour and remained in paris, achieving fame as a nightclub singer. Eartha kitt in a tv series in 1975 during her stay in britain.
She made her acting debut as helen of troy in orson welles 1951 staging of faust. Kitt was born to a half black, half white mother and a white father. Eartha kitt, in full eartha mae kitt, born january 17, 1927, north, south carolina, u. Photograph your local culture, help wikipedia and win.
She took on the role of catwoman for the fourth season of the 1960s batman tv series, replacing julie newmar who was unavailable for the final series. Thursdays child by eartha kitt meet your next favorite book. She was perhaps best known for her 1953 christmas song santa baby. Star of cabaret, theatre and television whose voluptuous voice remained relevant into her 70s. Confessions of a sex kitten by eartha kitt goodreads. Eartha kitt biography 1927 full name, eartha mae kitt. To possess calm in place of panic and not to forget that humor is one of lifes most precious gifts. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. Given away by her mother, she arrived in harlem at age nine. He was known for having a zipper problem and repeatedly cheated on his first wife florence baum with singer eartha kitt, according to the book. Perhaps best known for her highly distinctive singing style, eartha kitts 1953 recording of santa baby is still a favorite today. Born in the south and raised in harlem, sultry black actresssinger eartha kitt attended new yorks high school of performing arts.
Eartha kitt, horoscope for birth date 17 january 1927. Kitt was one of only a handful of performers to be nominated for a tony three times, a grammy twice, and an emmy award twice. Eartha kitt january 17, 1927 december 25, 2008 was an american singer and songwriter who had many hit songs. I do think eartha is a challenge that is why there isnt a bio and her life story wasis fkn amazing. Eartha s kitt s birth was registered on 17 january, 1927 in the small town of st matthews, which lies a half hour drive south from the state capital columbia.
She distinguished herself in film, theater, cabaret, music, and on television. Eartha kitt passed away on december 25, 2008, a month away from what would have been her 82nd birthday on january 17, 2009. Eartha kitt was an american singer, actress, dancer, comedian, activist, author, and songwriter. Earthas kitts birth was registered on 17 january, 1927 in the small town of st matthews, which lies a half hour drive south from the state capital columbia. Simply eartha is an accessories brand designed by kitt shapiro, as a. At 16 she joined katherine dunham s dance troupe and toured the united states, mexico, south america, and europe. In fact shes rather brown skinned and not high yella at all.
Even though she was an open book, she was mysterious and exude ample amount of sex appeal at the same time. In the 1960s, kitt had a recurring role as catwoman on tvs batman, but her career waned after she criticized the vietnam war during a luncheon with lady bird johnson. Eartha kitt s daughter has revealed that the singer died without knowing the identity of her white father, after being denied the. Synopsis born in 1927 south carolina, eartha kitt became popular in paris as a nightclub singer, then returned to the u. Eartha kitt interesting stories about famous people. She was a multifaceted individual who left a mark in every sphere she touched. Eartha kitts life was scarred by failure to learn the. Given away by her mother, she arrived in harlem at.
Oct 20, 20 eartha kitt passed away on christmas day 2008, never knowing her fathers name at that time, being a lightskinned black person in the black south was just as bad as black person in the white south. See all books authored by eartha kitt, including rejuvenate its never too late, and im still here. Dec 25, 2008 learn more about eartha kitt at with exclusive news, full bio and filmography as well as photos, videos, and more. Eartha kitts life was scarred by failure to learn the identity of her. Music the observer race americas south carolina biography books. Eartha kitt was an american singer, actor, dancer, comedian, activist, and author. Kitt wrote about herself and the follow up one years later was good too. From poor daughter on a plantation to a global superstar and icon of theatre, movies, tv, and song, eartha kitt accomplishments are legion. I wanna see taraji do an eartha kitt bio lipstick alley. Eartha kitts daughter has revealed that the singer died without knowing the identity of her white. This intriguing book reveals the trail she blazed in american lifeand the. Eartha kitt folk tales of the tribes of africa vinyl, lp, album at discogs. Learn more about eartha kitt at with exclusive news, full bio and filmography as well as photos, videos, and more. Kitt also lent her distinctive voice to the role of yzma in disneys the emperors new groove, for which she won her first.
Thursdays child hardcover january 1, 1956 by eartha kitt author visit amazons eartha kitt page. Morgan freeman honored on meridian centers walk of fame. Official fan page for eartha kitt, authorized by eartha kitt productions, inc. Eartha kitt, who purred and pounced her way across broadway stages, recording studios and movie and television screens in a showbusiness career that. Reading an eartha kitt biography is an amazing learning experience about the power of the human spirit.
Eartha kitts daughter on her mothers last attempt to find. Now myself, i had a similar experience as earthas daughter, kitt. Eartha kitt passed away on december 25, 2008, a month. Eartha kitt biography facts, childhood, family life. She also left us with wonderful memories that will live forever. And although my mom was rather light skinned herself, were creole, i came out looking just plain white. This book is what inspired the name of david bowie s song thursdays child. She left behind, a daughter kitt and two grandchildren. Kitt was born on a cotton plantation in north, south carolina.
One of her more unusual roles was as kaa in a 1994 bbc radio adaptation of the jungle book. Jul 17, 20 wtnh the daughter of legendary singer eartha kitt talks with ann nyberg about her famous mothers rough upbringing to celebrity status. After touring with katherine dunhams dance troupe, kitt headlined at choice nightclubs in both paris and the u. But according to her daughter, kitt shapiro, who chose not to cooperate with the biography, when eartha launched a legal fight to gain access.
Eartha kitts sex kitten persona masked a deeply scarred personality, says. Kitt was catwoman on tvs batman, and her 1953 recording of santa baby is still a holiday favorite. She lived there for the first 7 years of her life, but. This book is what inspired the name of david bowies song thursdays child. I never thought of eartha kitt as a light skinned black woman either. Simply eartha is a lifestyle brand of accessories with a legacy, created by kitt shapiro as a tribute to her legendary mother. How mel brooks used his funnyman persona to hide his. After the end of brookss first marriage to dancer florence baum, which mcgilligan says ended in part because of brookss affair with eartha kitt, in 1964 he married tony and oscarwinning. The english lyrics were written by jerry seelen in 1950 but eartha kitt sings the song in french. I enjoyed the reread and still remain a fan of eartha kitts work and her fascinating life story. Dec 25, 2008 eartha mae kitt was an american actress, singer, and cabaret star. She was the first musician to record the song santa baby.
Kitt was the daughter of a white father and a black mother, and from the age of eight she grew up with relatives in an ethnically diverse section of harlem, new york city. Eartha mae kitt january 17, 1927 december 25, 2008, was an american actress, singer, and cabaret star. She started her entertainment career in the early 1950s as a dancer with the katherine dunham troupe. Mar 20, 2019 he was known for having a zipper problem and repeatedly cheated on his first wife florence baum with singer eartha kitt, according to the book brooks married actress anne bancroft and the pair. Kitt s mother was a sharecropper of africanamerican and cherokee native american descent. Eartha kitt, a selfproclaimed sex kitten who played catwoman and crooned santa baby, was an enigmatic star with a sultry voice and a remarkable talent for playing to the camera. Born to an unwed mother, kitt faced severe hardships in her early days. Eartha kitt, her life and times and millions of other books are. Eartha was also a successful author, with four published books. Eartha kitt, horoscope for birth date 17 january 1927, born. Kitt found a new generation of fans through her roles in the disney films the emperors new groove 2000, in which she voiced the villainous yzma, and holes 2003. She was honest about her illigetimacy and never knowing for.
Eartha kitt simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Eartha kitt is the national spokesperson for project on growing, a program which teaches homeless families to grow their own food and feed themselves. Alas, kitt mcdonald didnt speak to williams, whose book would. Jan 19, 2018 eartha kitt, a selfproclaimed sex kitten who played catwoman and crooned santa baby, was an enigmatic star with a sultry voice and a remarkable talent for playing to the camera. Eartha kitt epitomized the idea of the sexkitten chanteuse, rising to fame with a nightclub act centered on her slinky stage presence and her throaty purr of a voice. Mar 17, 2020 she taught me how to live life honestly, with respect for everything and everyone. Orson welles once called her the most exciting woman in the world.
When kitts mother abandoned her, she was forced to live with a distant relative. Nov 11, 2018 the english lyrics were written by jerry seelen in 1950 but eartha kitt sings the song in french. This article contains the discography of american singer eartha kitt. New york ap 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.