Eartha Kitt dies at 81

An irreplaceable talent and treasure.

From Ms. Kitt's official website:

In New York her distinct individuality and flair for show business manifested itself, and on a friend's dare, the shy teen auditioned for the famed KATHERINE DUNHAM DANCE TROUPE. She won a spot as a featured dancer and vocalist and before the age of twenty, toured worldwide with the company. During a performance in Paris, Miss Kitt was spotted by a nightclub owner and booked as a featured singer at his club. Her unique persona earned her fans and fame quickly, including Orson Welles, who called her "the most exciting woman in the world". Welles was so taken with her talent that he cast her as Helen of Troy in his fabled production of DR. FAUST.

She was just an 'Old fashioned girl...'  great entertainer!

I saw her 3 times here at Jazz Alley in Seattle. I took this photo during the second shows. In the third show (2008) I got picked on by her and she spoke a bunch of French to me (part of the show) and the audience laughed. After the show she shook hands with me (and those sitting on the front roll). Very fun memory. I will miss her.

Homo olympus has contributed a photo to this story.

A very sad loss.  A friend and I once saw Ms. Kitt performed at the Blue Note in Manhattan four years ago.  She is a national treasure given her incredible versatility as a performer throughout numerous decades.  

Ms. Kitt also wrote three autobiographies: Thursday's Child (1956), Alone with Me (1976), and I'm Still Here: Confessions of a Sex Kitten (1989).  

She was an original that's for sure.

A class act.

I saw her at Carnegie Hall for her 80th birthday and at the Cafe Carlysle.

She was the best.

Eartha was always a great supporter of the arts. The painting behind her, titled Subconscious by Ulysses was a favorite of Ms. Kitt's and was given to her for Christmas 2008. It is amongst her private collection in Weston, CT.

chairandthemaiden has contributed a photo to this story.

One of the most memorable days for us is when she introduced us to Mrs. Harry Belafonte (Julie) and said, "she just got divorced and I want you to take care of her while I am in Seattle."   She was always very protective of her friends.  We miss her terribly.

I am truly sadden Eartha i have love all my life she had class and she loved her fans, i had the great great great fortune to in october of 2007 my partner and I saw her at the carlyle hotel in manhattan , i brought her flowers and she sang to be, i can die happy , Eartha will miss thank you for the music love you

Gaston

This is a photo of Eartha at John J Burns park in Massapequa NY this past July 15th. Was a great show from a great woman.

shaun.nyc has contributed a photo to this story.

What a class act! I was able to see one of her last shows in October 2008. She was wonderful, hitting every note and even doing at little of the "<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 />charleston", on stage.  RIP Miss Kitt.

an amazing woman

eing has contributed a photo to this story.