“An iconic actress who rose to fame in the 1960s was spotted on a lowkey outing in Los Angeles this week.”, — write: www.dailymail.co.uk
The star – who has worked alongside other celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe and Adam West during her decades-long career – soaked up the warm sunshine during a scooter ride in a quiet neighborhood.
The Tony winner is none other than Julie Newmar, 91, who is known for her role as Catwoman in the Batman TV series in the 60s.
She kept it casual wearing a pair of gray trousers as well as a light blue shirt and black slippers.
Newmar was born in Los Angeles in August 1933 and pursued her passion for performing by becoming a dancer at an early age.
When she was a teenager, Julie notably was a prime ballerina for the Los Angeles Civic Grand Opera Company.
Throughout the early 50s, she had a number of uncredited roles – including being a chorus girl in the 1953 movie Gentleman Prefer Blondes, which had starred both Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell.
The following year, Julie appeared in the film Seven Brides For Seven Sisters and at the time, she was credited with the last name Newmeyer.
In 1959, Newmar starred in the Broadway play The Marriage-Go-Round which earned her a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play.
Two years later, she also appeared in the film adaptation of the play which had also cast Susan Hayward and James Mason.
Based on her performance, Julie garnered a Golden Globe nomination for Most Promising Newcomer.
From 1996 through 1967, the actress took on the role of the first live-action Catwoman in the series Batman – which also starred Adam West and Burt Ward.
During an interview with the Television Academy in 2023, Newmar described the character as ‘sexy, seductive, sensuous.’
She added, ‘The part fit me because I worked to physicalize it, and I have a certain sense of humor that fit the character.’
Julie appeared in a total of 13 episodes in the show and Eartha Kitt took over the role in the third season.
In regards to the success of the series, Newmar attributed it to the show being in color.
‘Very few television shows were in color in 1966. The producer at 20th Century Fox [William Dozier] understood what it should look like. And he got the best writers and expensive color film.’
She continued, ‘Notably, the camera was occasionally tilted in order to give it that extra boost of camp. Camp was a new thing [on TV].’
And while talking to Closer in 2023, the star opened up about whether she knew the role of Catwoman would become iconic.
‘Of course not. I mean, you have positive feelings when you are performing it. The people around you are supportive, and the script was wonderful.
‘So was everything else. All the other actors – Adam West and Burt Ward were fabulous in the parts. It’s something that just comes together sometimes.’
Other celebrities have portrayed Catwoman over the years – including Michelle Pfeiffer, Anne Hathaway, Halle Berry and Zoe Kravitz.
When asked who her favorite portrayal of the character has been, Julie answered, ‘Michelle Pfeiffer, hands down.
‘She can do anything. She is my favorite because she’s far and away the best actress. She brought levels of creativity to the part.’
Other television series that Julie appeared in includes The Love Boat, Columbo, The Defenders, The Twilight Zone, Star Trek and The Beverly Hillbillies.
Before her role in Batman, she also had a leading role in the sci-fi sitcom My Living Doll from 1964-1965.
She portrayed a prototype robot named Rhoda – and Newmar called the role the ‘biggest challenge of my career.’
Julie told the Television Academy, ‘She was a doll with an IQ of 180-something. She wasn’t a real human being. She didn’t have understandable emotions – and that would throw off the timing.
‘It was the hardest part I ever had to do, the biggest challenge of my career,’ the actress expressed.
‘It took me many weeks to make it real, so that my body became the character and I didn’t have to intellectually direct my movements and behavior. Eventually, Rhoda’s movements came naturally to me.’
Julie’s last credited role was in 2017 when she voiced Catwoman for Batman vs. Two-Face.
Newmar has dabbled in other business ventures over the years, such as real estate.
As the star approaches her 92nd birthday, the Hollywood icon enjoys spending time on the internet.
‘I love the computer. I love the internet. I love the immediate resource of ideas and people around the world. I mean, this is huge progress. And I like to write. I also like to think.
‘If I had to get out and go to a studio, that’s slow. I love where I am now because things go very fast. I think I’m at the epitome of my life,’ she told Closer.