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Eartha Kitt

Portrait Gallery

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
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Object Details

Artist

Philippe Halsman, 2 May 1906 - 25 Jun 1979

Sitter

Eartha Kitt, 17 Jan 1927 - 25 Dec 2008

Exhibition Label

Born North, South Carolina
With a voice like a sultry purr, entertainer Eartha Kitt claimed countless fans, including Orson Welles, who called her “the most exciting woman in the world.” Kitt debuted as a featured dancer and vocalist with Katherine Dunham’s dance troupe in 1945, before embarking on an international career as a cabaret singer and actor. Her singing style and provocative stage persona made her a top nightclub attraction, and her early 1950s recordings of “C’est si bon” and “Santa Baby” remain popular standards. Kitt’s career has included performances on Broadway, in films, and on television, where she scored a hit as the villainous Catwoman on Batman (1967). She is also remembered for voicing her opposition to the Vietnam War during a 1968 White House luncheon hosted by Lady Bird Johnson—an action that caused Kitt to be blacklisted professionally for some time.
Nacida en North, Carolina del Sur
Con una voz semejante a un sensual ronroneo, la artista Eartha Kitt tuvo incontables seguidores, incluidos Orson Welles, que la llamó “la mujer más fascinante del mundo”. Kitt debutó como bailarina y vocalista principal en la compañía de danza de Catherine Dunham en 1945, antes de embarcarse en una carrera internacional como cantante y actriz de cabaret. Su estilo de canto y su provocadora imagen sobre el escenario hicieron de ella una de las máximas atracciones de club nocturno, y sus grabaciones de principios de la década de 1950 de “C’est si bon” y “Santa Baby” siguen siendo un estándar popular. La carrera de Kitt incluyó actuaciones en Broadway, en películas y en televisión, donde consiguió el éxito interpretando a la villana Catwoman en Batman (1967). También se la recuerda por dar voz a la oposición a la Guerra de Vietnam durante un almuerzo en la Casa Blanca organizado en 1968 por Lady Bird Johnson, una acción que colocó a Kitt en la lista negra profesional durante algún tiempo.
9

Credit Line

National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution; gift of George R. Rinhart

Date

1954

Object number

NPG.83.100

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Copyright

© Philippe Halsman Archive

Type

Photograph

Medium

Gelatin silver print

Dimensions

Image: 24.9 × 19.7 cm (9 13/16 × 7 3/4")
Sheet: 28 × 21 cm (11 × 8 1/4")
Mat: 45.7 × 35.6 cm (18 × 14")

See more items in

National Portrait Gallery Collection

Location

Currently not on view

Data Source

National Portrait Gallery

Topic

Costume\Jewelry\Earring
Interior
Eartha Kitt: Female
Eartha Kitt: Arts and Culture\Performing Arts\Music\Musician\Singer
Eartha Kitt: Arts and Culture\Performing Arts\Film\Movie actor
Eartha Kitt: Arts and Culture\Performing Arts\Performer\Entertainer
Eartha Kitt: Arts and Culture\Performing Arts\Television\Television actor
Eartha Kitt: Arts and Culture\Performing Arts\Dance\Dancer\Modern dancer
Eartha Kitt: Performing arts awards\Grammy
Portrait

Metadata Usage

Usage conditions apply

Link to Original Record

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/sm4a9b92697-8399-4f58-afe0-a6db2d14a038

Record ID

npg_NPG.83.100

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