Julie Newmar Celebrates Birthday with Burlesque Star Dita Von Teese: ‘I Love Being 92!’
The original Catwoman is still stealing hearts and living her best life. Julie Newmar — best known for battling Adam West and Burt Ward‘s dynamic duo on the 1966 Batman series — recently celebrated her 92nd birthday. And even though she’s well into her ninth decade of life, she said, “There is so much more to do.” For instance, she has to hang out with her fellow sex “kitten.” On Aug. 25, Newmar shared a photo of her alongside Vegas icon Dita Von Teese, whom Julie described as “the world’s reigning ecdysiast.”
(That’s the fancy word for burlesque dancer.)
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Newmar remarked how “a darling person Von Teese is,” and encouraged all to go see her show at the Venetian Resort this fall.
Von Teese left a comment on the post, writing, “Love you, @julienewmarofficial 🌹🌷🪻🌺🌸.” Others also left some birthday messages to Julie, like Pin-up artist Olivia De Berardinis, who wrote “Happy Belated Birthday [to the] Stupifying Julie!” (a reference to her role in 1959’s Li’l Abner). And one fan wrote, “Whenever I feel uninspired, I just need some Julie Newmar in my feed to smile and say, life is ever blooming.”
Before Newmar donned the skin-tight catsuit and mask, she took over the Great White Way, winning the Tony Award for her performance as Katrin Sveg in The Marriage-Go-Round (a role she would reprise in the 1961 film version). She also picked up a Golden Globe nomination for playing Rhoda Miller opposite Bob Newhart in the short-lived sci-fi sitcom, My Living Doll.
But it was Catwoman that made Julie Newmar an icon. Though Eartha Kitt and Lee Meriwether would also portray the feline femme fatale on the series, many consider Newmar to be the best — the cat’s meow, if you will.
Newmar would even reprise the role in a pair of animated features: 2016’s Batman: Return of the Caped Crusaders and 2017’s Batman vs. Two-Face.
Though the 92-year-old has stepped away from acting, this latest photo shows she’s not slowing down.
Puzzler '80s Comedy Classics
Vol 1, Issue 6
This issue is packed with puzzles and trivia from all your favorite '80s sitcoms.
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