Eartha Kitt

Eartha Kitt was a famous African American actress, singer and cabaret star. She was born January 17, 1927 on a plantation near columbia, South Carolina. Her mother was cherokee and African American while her father was german and Dutch. Eartha was actively working between the years 1948-2008.

Eartha Kitt was raised by Anna Mae Riley, whom Kitt believed to be her mother. Anna sent Eartha to live with a different family until Anna Riley died. After Anna's death, she went to live with Mamie Kitt in New York City, which she later learned was her biological mother.

Eartha Kitt began her career by working for the Katherine Dunham Company. She was a really talented singer with a beautiful voice. One of the most reconized hits was "Santa Baby". Some of her other famous songs were: "Lets Do It", "C' si bon", "Love For Sale", "Uska Dara", and "Under The Bridges of Paris". Eartha also learned French and would also sometimes sing in other languages. In 1950, Orson Welles gave Eartha her first starring role in Helen of Troy. Also, in the 1960s, Kitt was chosen to replace Julie Newmar in the role as CAt Woman in the television series Batman.

In 1968, Eartha was asked to go to a special luncheon at the White House. She had a substantional setback after she made anti-war statements. After she was publicly rejected in the US, she went overseas to preform.

Over the years, Eartha had many awards and nominations for her work in music, television, film and stage. She had a very succesful and long career from 1948-2008. Eartha died from colon cancer on December 25, 2008 at the age of 81.