Where Is Kim Novak Now?
Kim Novak, who will be honored with a Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement award at the Venice Film Festival later this year, was one of the Hollywood Golden Age’s most talented beauties. Born Marilyn Pauline Novak in Chicago, Illinois, on February 13, 1933, her meteoric rise at Columbia Pictures led to iconic roles in films like Alfred Hitchcock‘s Vertigo and Picnic. Yet, at the height of her fame, she decided to step away from the spotlight and live a much quieter lifestyle.
Today, at 92 years old, Novak resides peacefully in Oregon, where she has dedicated herself to art, particularly painting and sculpture, finding solace in creative expression. However, she occasionally makes public appearances, often in connection with film preservation events or retrospectives. She last appeared publicly in 2018 at an event for Vertigo‘s 60th anniversary.
As she gets ready to accept her award at the end of the summer, let’s learn some interesting facts about her life and career:
1 She was originally promoted as the new Marilyn Monroe
Everett Collection
When Novak first arrived in Hollywood, Columbia Pictures was under the watchful eye of studio head Harry Cohn, and he saw her potential to fill a void. Marilyn Monroe, then at the peak of her popularity, was a Fox contract player, and Cohn was eager to cultivate his own blonde bombshell.
Novak, whose birth name was Marilyn Pauline Novak, was initially reluctant to change her name, feeling it was a betrayal of her identity. However, Cohn insisted, arguing that “Marilyn Novak” would be too easily confused with Marilyn Monroe. He even tried to give her the name “Kit Marlowe” before she settled on Kim. The studio then embarked on an effort to mold her image, styling her hair and makeup to resemble Monroe but publicized her as a more natural beauty.
2 She has a deep connection to animals
Everett Collection
Throughout her career, Novak often sought refuge from the pressures of fame on her various ranches, where horses, dogs, and other animals could surround her. Her devotion to animals extended to active involvement in animal welfare. In the early 1970s, she moved to a sprawling ranch in Carmel Valley, California, where she raised llamas and horses. She even incorporated her love for animals into her artistic endeavors, frequently depicting horses and other animals in her paintings and sculptures.
3 She insisted on keeping her horses nearby while filming Pal Joey
Everett Collection
Novak reportedly made a rather unusual demand during filming the 1957 musical Pal Joey, where she starred alongside Frank Sinatra and Rita Hayworth. Despite the film’s urban setting, Novak, who was deeply attached to her horses, apparently insisted that she be allowed to keep them stabled on the studio lot or at least very close by.
4 She is an accomplished artist
Everett Collection
While many remember Novak primarily for her acting career, her true passion and primary occupation for decades has been art. Even during her time in Hollywood, she found solace and expression through painting and sculpture. After largely retiring from acting in the early 1990s, she fully immersed herself in her artistic pursuits. Her work often features vibrant colors and draws inspiration from nature, animals, and her own dreams and experiences.
She has exhibited her artwork in galleries across the United States, earning critical acclaim and establishing herself as a serious and talented artist. Her official website, kimnovakartist.com, showcases much of her work.
5 Sadly, her home and a lot of her art were destroyed in a fire
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Novak’s home in Oregon was completely destroyed by a devastating wildfire in July 2000. The fire consumed everything she owned, including decades of her personal belongings, memorabilia from her Hollywood career, and, most heartbreakingly, nearly all of her original artwork. She spoke openly about the experience, emphasizing that her memories and artistic spirit remained intact while the physical possessions were gone. She later said that the fire was a sign that she should not write an autobiography, as a lot of her mementos were burned. Luckily, Novak, her husband (Robert Malloy passed away in 2020), and her animals were safe from the flames. Sadly, just a year later, her home was robbed and expensive items including firearms and tools were taken.
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