Batman’ Star Julie Newmar, 89, Cares For Son with Down Syndrome, 42 — He’s an Artist Living in Their Garden Home
- Best known for her role as Catwoman in “Batman,” Julie Newmar had a pretty successful career in Hollywood.
- She gave birth to her son, John, who suffers from a genetic condition, and separated from her husband.
- The actress still cares for her child, now 42, and they find peace in spending time in her home’s garden.
Julie Newmar started her career in entertainment as a dancer in a couple of movies, such as “Slaves of Babylon” and “Serpent of the Nile,” but she remained uncredited for her work. She also appeared in “The Band Wagon” and “Demetrius and the Gladiators.”
Universal Studios hired her as a choreographer for other projects, but her first significant role, where she appeared as Julie Newmeyer, was in “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” in 1954. She played a small part in Broadway’s “Li’l Abner” and appeared in the film adaptation. She later landed a lead part in “The Rookie.”
Julie Newmar as Catwoman in “The Purr-fect Crime” aired March 16, 1966 | Source: Getty Images
One of Newmar’s prominent Broadway roles was in “The Marriage-Go-Round,” for which she won a Tony Award for Best Supporting Actress. She continued making her way on stage, becoming one of the most influential performers of the ’60s.
Newmar soon found fame on television, and that’s why most people remember her. She was tall, slim, and had a femme fatale look that fans adored. She appeared as Rhoda on “My Living Doll” between 1964 and 1965 before becoming Catwoman on the television version of “Batman” with Adam West.
At the time, the character was still not known as Selina Kyle. Newmar managed to live her life beyond being the villain and sometimes romantic counterpart to Batman.
Julie Newmar in “The Purr-fect Crime” aired on March 16, 1966 | Source: Getty Images
Newmar remains one of the most beloved women to play the role, apart from Lee Meriwether and Eartha Kitt. It’s easy to say that she is most famous in Hollywood history for being the first actress to portray the role, although she only starred in the first two seasons.
The actress even redesigned the original costume and placed the belt at the hips to show off her body better. Nowadays, the outfit is displayed at the Smithsonian museum. Her jumpsuit was made of Lurex and wasn’t very flexible back then. Newmar said:
“It didn’t have much elastic in it, but it fit like...