On Christmas morning, the sensual “Santa Baby” was in rotation on my holiday playlist. By Christmas evening, I learned that the ageless seductress who made “Santa Baby” famous had died on the same holiday for which that timeless song was written.
On Christmas Day Eartha Kitt died at the age of 81. The actress, singer, and dancer became a cultural icon for her puuurrrrfect portrayal of Catwoman in the 1960s Batman TV series. But for people closer to my age, she was best known for her role as Lady Eloise in the 90s classic Boomerang.
But accolades and accomplishments aside, the thing that I’ve always most admired about Eartha Kitt was that she was a complete original. She wasn’t Dorothy Dandridge, she wasn’t Lena Horne—-she was Eartha Kitt. And that’s why the world loves her. Her authenticity inspires us all to find out exactly who we are, and to be no one else but that person.
She once said, “I’ve always accepted applause as making me feel worthwhile. I hope I die being applauded. Just put a chaise longue under me and let me go.”
Please join me in applauding the life of the inimitable Eartha Kitt.
—T
This Morning, This Evening 