Julie Newmar facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Julie Newmar
Newmar in 1965
Born	Julia Chalene Newmeyer (1933-08-16) August 16, 1933 (age 91) Los Angeles, California, US
Occupation	Actress dancer singer businesswoman writer
Years active	1952–present
Known for	Catwoman in Batman The Marriage-Go-Round (play, film adaptation)
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Spouse(s)	J. Holt Smith ​ ​ (m. 1977; div. 1984)​
Children	1
Awards	Inkpot Award (2014)

Julie Newmar (born Julia Chalene Newmeyer on August 16, 1933) is an American actress, dancer, and singer. She is famous for playing many different roles on stage, in movies, and on television. Besides acting, she is also a writer, a clothing designer, and a successful real estate business owner.

One of her most famous roles was playing Catwoman in the Batman television series from 1966 to 1967. She also won a Tony Award, a major award for theater, for her role in the Broadway play The Marriage-Go-Round in 1958. She later appeared in the movie version of the play.

Newmar also appeared in a music video for George Michael's song "Too Funky" in 1992. She even had a cameo as herself in the 1995 movie To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar. Many years later, she returned to her role as Catwoman by providing the voice for the character in the animated movies Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders (2016) and Batman vs. Two-Face (2017).

Early Life

Julie Newmar was born in Los Angeles, California. She was the oldest of three children. Her father, Don Newmeyer, was the head of the physical education department at Los Angeles City College and had played professional American football. Her mother, Helene, was a fashion designer who later invested in real estate.

Newmar started dancing when she was very young. By the time she was 15, she was a lead ballerina with the Los Angeles Opera. She has two younger brothers, Peter and John.

Career

Early Movies and Stage Work

On the set of Adventures in Paradise (1960), from left: George Tobias, Newmar, and Gardner McKay

George Maharis with guest star Newmar in Route 66 (1962)

Newmar with Bob Cummings in My Living Doll (1964)

Newmar began her career with small parts in movies as a dancer. She worked as a choreographer and dancer for Universal Studios when she was 19. Her first big movie role was as Dorcas in the classic musical Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954).

She also had a successful career on the Broadway stage in New York City. In 1958, she starred in the play The Marriage-Go-Round. Her performance was so good that she won a Tony Award. She played the same role in the 1961 movie version.

Television Roles

Newmar as Catwoman (1966)

Newmar became very famous because of her work on television. With her tall, athletic build, she often played strong and interesting characters. Before Batman, she starred as a robot named Rhoda in the TV show My Living Doll (1964–1965).

Becoming Catwoman

Her most iconic role was playing the villain Catwoman in the Batman TV series. She appeared in the first two seasons from 1966 to 1967. Newmar even helped design her famous Catwoman costume, which is now in the Smithsonian Institution. She moved the belt from the waist to her hips to show off her hourglass figure.

When the Batman movie was made in 1966, Newmar was busy with another project, so actress Lee Meriwether played Catwoman. In the third and final season of the show, Eartha Kitt took over the role.

Other TV Appearances

Newmar was a guest star on many popular shows. She played a princess in the Star Trek episode "Friday's Child" (1967). She also appeared in The Monkees, The Twilight Zone, Bewitched, and Get Smart.

Later Career

Newmar at the Phoenix Comicon in 2014

Newmar continued to act in movies and on television for many years. She appeared in shows like The Love Boat, Fantasy Island, and Hart to Hart.

In 1995, the movie To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar was named in her honor, and she appeared in the film as herself.

In 2016 and 2017, she returned to the world of Batman. She voiced Catwoman in the animated movies Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders and Batman vs. Two-Face. She starred alongside Adam West and Burt Ward, the original Batman and Robin.

Inventor and Businesswoman

In the 1970s, Newmar used her creativity to invent new types of clothing. She received two U.S. patents for a special kind of pantyhose and one for a brassiere.

Starting in the 1980s, Newmar began investing in real estate in Los Angeles. She bought and improved properties, helping to make certain neighborhoods better.

Personal Life

Newmar married J. Holt Smith in 1977, and they had one child. They lived in Fort Worth, Texas, before their marriage ended in 1984.

Newmar has Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease, a nerve condition that runs in families. She is also a skilled pianist and an avid gardener. She has been a strong supporter of LGBT rights for many years.

Selected Filmography

Selected Television Work

See also

In Spanish: Julie Newmar para niños