Eartha Kitt

Eartha Kitt – Life, Career, and Enduring Legacy

Discover the fascinating life of Eartha Kitt (1927–2008) — the iconic singer, actress, dancer, and activist known for “Santa Baby”, Batman’s Catwoman, sultry vocals, and fearless voice. Explore her biography, major works, philosophy, quotes, and lessons from her journey.

Introduction

Eartha Mae Kitt was an electrifying performer whose voice, personality, and audacity made her one of the most distinctive entertainers of the 20th century. Born January 17, 1927 and passing December 25, 2008, she carved a unique path across cabaret, Broadway, film, television, and activism. With her feline-like charisma, she turned vulnerability into power and refused to be silenced. In this article, we’ll trace her life from deep poverty to global stages, examine her artistic achievements, highlight her convictions, share memorable quotes, and draw lessons from her remarkable journey.

Early Life and Family

Eartha Kitt was born Eartha Mae Keith on January 17, 1927, in the small community of North, South Carolina. Annie Mae (later Riley / Keith), was African American and had Cherokee ancestry; the identity of her father is uncertain, though some accounts suggest he was a white man (potentially the son of the plantation owner) — a fact that Kitt later reflected upon with complexity.

Her early years were harsh and marked by instability. She was raised in extreme poverty; at age 8, her mother reportedly sent her to live with relatives in Harlem, New York City, believing she would have better opportunities there. Metropolitan Vocational High School (later High School of Performing Arts), she left school in her teens to work and pursue performance.

These early struggles gave her a fierce independence and a drive to transform her adversity into art.

Career and Achievements

Early Artistic Formation: Dance to Cabaret

Kitt’s first formal involvement in performance came when she joined Katherine Dunham’s dance company around 1943.

By the early 1950s, Eartha Kitt had begun gaining notice for her seductive vocal style, distinct tone, and performance persona. Her early hits included “C’est Si Bon”, “I Want to Be Evil”, “Just an Old Fashioned Girl”, and the Christmas classic “Santa Baby” (1953).

She also diversified into Broadway, theatrical revue, film, and television work. In 1952 she appeared in New Faces of 1952, helping introduce some of her signature songs. St. Louis Blues (1958), and stage shows.

The Controversial White House Speech & Blacklisting

One of the most significant inflection points in her life came in January 1968, when during a White House luncheon hosted by First Lady Lady Bird Johnson, she responded to a question about the Vietnam War with bold criticism: she declared the U.S. was sending its best young people to be shot and maimed, questioning the morality of the war.

Her remarks apparently upset Mrs. Johnson, who reportedly cried, and Kitt’s career in the U.S. suffered greatly thereafter. She was effectively ostracized domestically for a period, and many believe that she was blacklisted by industry and government actors.

Nevertheless, she continued working abroad and in club venues, and made a comeback in the U.S. over time, returning to performance, cabaret, and theater.

Later Career, Voice Work & Legacy

In her later years, Eartha Kitt embraced voice acting, reaching new audiences. Her most famous voice role was Yzma in The Emperor’s New Groove (2000) and its spin-offs, which earned her Annie Awards and Daytime Emmy Awards. Vexus in My Life as a Teenage Robot.

On stage, she returned to Broadway. Notably, she was nominated for Tony Awards (e.g. for Timbuktu! in 1978 and The Wild Party in 2000). Café Carlyle in New York.

Her discography spans decades. In the 1980s, she even experienced a dance/disco resurgence with tracks such as “Where Is My Man” and “I Love Men”.

Eartha Kitt was among a small group of performers nominated across major award categories: Tony, Grammy, and Emmy.

She died on December 25, 2008 at her home in Weston, Connecticut, from colon cancer, at the age of 81.

Themes, Style & Persona

Sultry and Distinctive Vocal Identity

Eartha Kitt’s voice was instantly recognizable: throaty, purring, with a blend of sensuality and edge. Whether in cabaret or recording studios, she embraced a persona that blurred vulnerability and power.

She spoke multiple languages and often performed songs in foreign tongues, expanding her appeal abroad.

Fearlessness & Outspokenness

Kitt did not shy from taking strong, sometimes controversial stands. Her anti-war statement at the White House is emblematic of her willingness to speak truth to power—even at personal cost.

Reinvention & Resilience

She repeatedly reinvented her career across genres and media—singing, dancing, acting, voice work—while maintaining a unique identity. She weathered setbacks, blacklisting, and personal challenges, yet remained artistically active until late in life.

Blending Glamour with Depth

While her public persona often leaned into sensuality and glamour, she also revealed introspective, resilient layers in her autobiographies, stage work, and later interviews.

Memorable Quotes by Eartha Kitt

Here are a few striking quotes attributed to her, reflecting her wit, strength, and perspective:

“I am, indeed, a femme fatale — but as of now I prefer to call myself ‘the woman of the first impression.’”
“Laughing at our mistakes can lengthen our own life. Laughing at someone else’s can shorten it.”
“If I feel like singing, then I’ll sing. If I feel like dancing, then I’m going to dance.”
“I never had to prove my talent. What I had to prove was my strength.”
“I have no idea how old I am. Believe it or not, I have no paper that says I was ever born.”

These quotes underscore her confidence, self-reliance, and refusal to be neatly constrained.

Lessons from Eartha Kitt’s Life

1. Use adversity as fuel. Kitt’s difficult childhood did not define her limits but sharpened her resolve to rise above.

2. Own your voice—literally and figuratively. Whether singing or speaking politically, she expressed herself boldly.

3. Reinvention is vital. She adapted across eras, forms, and media without losing her core identity.

4. Stand by convictions (even when it hurts). Her confrontation with power in 1968 cost her, but became part of her legacy.

5. Legacy is more than fame. Through mentoring, activism, and artistry, she left a multidimensional imprint on culture.

Conclusion

Eartha Kitt was more than a sultry voice or a glamorous figure: she was a symbol of resilience, individuality, and unflinching authenticity. Her life spanned—from cotton fields and adversity to international acclaim and moral courage—a trajectory few can match.

As a performer, she enchanted audiences; as an activist, she challenged systems; as a person, she refused to be silenced. Her songs, performances, and spirit continue to inspire artists and activists who believe that to live openly is itself a powerful act.