ThatFatGirl
Why am I still here?
Eartha Kitt has passed away of colon cancer. Nice article here (below).
Singer-actress Eartha Kitt dies at 81
Posted: December 25, 2008
NEW YORK 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, according to a family friend. She was 81.
Andrew Freedman said Kitt died today of colon cancer and was recently treated at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York.
Kitt, a self-proclaimed sex kitten famous for her catlike purr, was one of Americas most versatile performers, winning two Emmys and getting a third nomination. She also was nominated for two Tony Awards and a Grammy.
According to her Web site, www.earthakitt.com, Eartha Mae Kitt was born January 17, 1927, on a cotton plantation in the tiny town of North, South Carolina. At age eight, she was given away by her mother and sent to live with an aunt in Harlem, N.Y. As a teen, she auditioned for the renowned Katherine Dunham Dance Troupe, winning a role as a featured dancer and vocalist. While touring, she was spotted by Orson Welles, who cast her as Helen of Troy in his production of Dr. Faust.
Broadway stardom led to a recording contract and a series of best-selling records, including Love for Sale, I Want to Be Evil, Santa Baby and Folk Tales of the Tribes of Africa, which earned her a Grammy nomination.
She shared the stage with such luminaries as Sidney Poitier, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Nat King Cole.
In 1967, Kitt made her mark on pop culture as the infamous Catwoman in the television series, Batman.
Singing in ten different languages, Kitt had performed in over 100 countries and was honored with a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960, according to her Web site.
In 1966, she was nominated for an Emmy for her role in the television series, I Spy.
She wrote numerous books and performed at various venues around the world, including Carnegie Hall, The Atlanta Symphony, The Portland Symphony, Detroits Music Hall, Seattle's Jazz Alley, Palm Beachs Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. She also did a one-woman show at the 51st Annual JVC Newport Jazz Festival and the Miami Beach JVC Jazz Festival, according to her Web site.
Compiled by online editor Scott Thien.
Singer-actress Eartha Kitt dies at 81
Posted: December 25, 2008
NEW YORK 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, according to a family friend. She was 81.
Andrew Freedman said Kitt died today of colon cancer and was recently treated at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York.
Kitt, a self-proclaimed sex kitten famous for her catlike purr, was one of Americas most versatile performers, winning two Emmys and getting a third nomination. She also was nominated for two Tony Awards and a Grammy.
According to her Web site, www.earthakitt.com, Eartha Mae Kitt was born January 17, 1927, on a cotton plantation in the tiny town of North, South Carolina. At age eight, she was given away by her mother and sent to live with an aunt in Harlem, N.Y. As a teen, she auditioned for the renowned Katherine Dunham Dance Troupe, winning a role as a featured dancer and vocalist. While touring, she was spotted by Orson Welles, who cast her as Helen of Troy in his production of Dr. Faust.
Broadway stardom led to a recording contract and a series of best-selling records, including Love for Sale, I Want to Be Evil, Santa Baby and Folk Tales of the Tribes of Africa, which earned her a Grammy nomination.
She shared the stage with such luminaries as Sidney Poitier, Sammy Davis, Jr. and Nat King Cole.
In 1967, Kitt made her mark on pop culture as the infamous Catwoman in the television series, Batman.
Singing in ten different languages, Kitt had performed in over 100 countries and was honored with a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1960, according to her Web site.
In 1966, she was nominated for an Emmy for her role in the television series, I Spy.
She wrote numerous books and performed at various venues around the world, including Carnegie Hall, The Atlanta Symphony, The Portland Symphony, Detroits Music Hall, Seattle's Jazz Alley, Palm Beachs Kravis Center for the Performing Arts. She also did a one-woman show at the 51st Annual JVC Newport Jazz Festival and the Miami Beach JVC Jazz Festival, according to her Web site.
Compiled by online editor Scott Thien.
