Nine Lives of a Hollywood Icon
Long before superhero franchises dominated the screens, there was one woman who turned a feline villainess into a pop culture icon—Julie Newmar. With her statuesque frame, hypnotic voice, and razor-sharp wit, Julie wasn’t just playing Catwoman; she was Catwoman. But behind the mask and the claws was a woman whose journey through Hollywood, business, and life was as bold and fascinating as any role she ever played.
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Born Julia Chalene Newmeyer on August 16, 1933, in Los Angeles, California, Julie was surrounded by culture and creativity from the start. Her mother was a fashion designer and her father, a headlining football player turned college professor. Julie inherited her father’s intellect and her mother’s elegance.
She was a gifted child who not only excelled academically but also showed promise in the arts. Before she became the siren of the screen, she was a serious ballet dancer, even performing with the Los Angeles Opera as a teenager.
In her early 20s, Julie moved to New York and attended UCLA, studying classical piano, philosophy, and French. She also studied at the School of American Ballet, and it was there that her extraordinary poise and grace on stage became evident.
Her beauty and presence didn’t go unnoticed—she was soon cast as a dancer in various stage productions. Her first real break came on Broadway in the early 1950s when she appeared in Silk Stockings, choreographed by George Balanchine, and then dazzled audiences in Li’l Abner as the unforgettable Stupefyin’ Jones.
Julie’s transition to film was just as remarkable. One of her earliest notable roles came in 1952, when she danced in the classic musical Just for You. Though uncredited, her striking appearance and physical grace set her apart. Throughout the 1950s, she appeared in films like The Band Wagonand Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, where her tall, athletic figure and elegant style caught attention. She didn’t just dance; she commandedthe screen.
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Yet, it was in television where Julie Newmar would leave her most enduring legacy. In 1966, she took on the role that would define her career: Catwoman in the original Batman TV series opposite Adam West. With a skin-tight black suit, purring voice, and magnetic sensuality, Newmar reinvented the character into something unforgettable.
Her version of Catwoman wasn’t just a villain; she was a flirtatious, intelligent adversary with a mind of her own. She brought humor, danger, and a whole lot of charisma to the role. Julie’s Catwoman inspired generations, including modern actresses who’ve portrayed the role in later adaptations.
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Outside of her feline fame, Julie was a versatile actress who appeared in dozens of TV shows throughout the ’60s and ’70s, from The Twilight Zone and Route 66 to Bewitched and Star Trek. She starred in her own short-lived sitcom, My Living Doll (1964–65), where she played a sexy, highly intelligent android—a role that highlighted her comedic timing and ability to blend brains with beauty.
But Julie Newmar’s legacy didn’t stop with performance. She was also a sharp businesswoman and a pioneer in real estate. While many Hollywood stars struggled with finances, Julie bought, restored, and managed multiple properties in Los Angeles, particularly in the upscale West Hollywood area. Her passion for beauty extended to the gardens she cultivated and the architecture she preserved. She often said that creating beautiful spaces was a form of art equal to acting.
In the 1980s and beyond, Julie took on another role—advocate. In 2003, she revealed that she had been diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, a neurological condition that affects the muscles. Rather than retreat from public life, she used her platform to raise awareness and continued to work and write. In 2011, she released a memoir titled The Conscious Catwoman Explains Life on Earth, filled with her insights on style, aging, love, and embracing one’s true self.
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Pop culture continued to celebrate her. In 1995, the film To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar paid homage to her legacy, even featuring a cameo appearance. The title itself was a nod to her status as a queer icon and an enduring symbol of glamour, individuality, and grace.
Julie Newmar is more than just a screen legend. She’s an artist, a thinker, and a survivor. Her legacy stretches from the silver screen to the Broadway stage, from the rooftops of Gotham to the flowering gardens of Los Angeles. Few women have played as many roles in life as she has—and even fewer have done it with such fearless elegance.
