43: The Purr That Took the World by Storm: The Life of Eartha Kitt

Date: December 24, 2025 Legacy Makers: Stories of Black Inventors and Icons Title and Show Info Episode #43. The Purr That Took the World by Storm: The Life of Eartha Kitt Featuring: Toni Davis (Host & Storyteller). Summary Celebrate the fearless brilliance of Eartha Kitt. An African American icon whose voice, artistry, and activism left a lasting impact on music, film, and culture. In this episode of Legacy Makers: Stories of Black Inventors and Icons, we explore Eartha Kitt's journey from humble beginnings to international stardom—spanning jazz, cabaret, Broadway, film, and television. Known for breaking barriers in classic Hollywood, redefining bold female voices, and speaking truth to power during the civil rights era, Kitt exemplified Black excellence and uncompromising authenticity. From her unforgettable Catwoman legacy to her influence as a fashion and cultural icon, this episode highlights why her impact still resonates today. Tune in to honor a trailblazer who reshaped entertainment and activism for generations to come. Listen now on the Legacy Makers: Stories of Black Inventors and Icons podcast. Available wherever you get your podcasts. 🎧✨👑 #EarthaKitt #LegacyMakersPodcast #BlackIcons #AfricanAmericanHistory #BlackExcellence #WomenInHistory #CulturalLegacy #ClassicHollywood #BoldVoices #PodcastEpisode Highlights: 00:57- INTRO.  01:05- EPILOGUE. 01:30- EARTHA KITT'S BIRTH. 01:46- HER MOTHER. 01:51- HER FATHER, UNKNOWN. 02:12- METROPOLITAN VOCATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL. 02:21- KATHERINE DUNHAM COMPANY. 03:28- DR. FAUSTUS. 03:52- NEW FACES OF 1952. 04:14- SANTA BABY.   07:52- NEW FACES. 04:58- MRS. PATTERSON. 05:10- AUTOBIOGRAPHY, THURSDAY'S CHILD. 05:37- STAGE AND SCREEN. 06:09- MARRIES JOHN WILLIAM MCDONALD. 06:20- RECEIVES HER STAR ON THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME. 06:36- THE COUPLE WELCOME THEIR DAUGHTER, KITT MCDONALD. 06:52- THE COUPLE DIVORCE. 07:13- THE CIRCLE STAR THEATER IN SAN CARLOS, CA. 07:31- KITTSVILLE YOUTH FOUNDATION. 07:46- REBELS WITH A CAUSE. 08:39- CATWOMAN. 09:06- TINA MARA, THE CONTORTIONIST. 09:17- THE WHITE HOUSE LUNCHEON. 09:46- BLACKLISTED. 10:19- FORD'S THEATER RECEPTION AT THE WHITE HOUSE. 10:47- THE GOOD OLD DAYS. 11:08- TIMBUKTU! 11:21- TONY AWARD NOMINATION FOR BEST ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL. 11:29- CERTIFIED GOLD RECORD. 12:07- BENEFITS PERFORMANCES. 12:32- HER DAUGHTER KITT MCDONALD MARRIES CHARLES LAWRENCE SHAPIRO. 12:42- MOVIES, TV AND VOICE ACTING. 15:10- AN ANNIE AWARD. 15:56- TWO EMMY AWARDS. 16:26- MAC COSMETIC'S SMOKE SIGNALS COLLECTION. 16:38- TWO MORE ANNIE AWARDS. 16:49- EARTHA KITT PASSES AWAY. 17:40- ACCOLADES. 18:13- CONCLUSION. Subscribe to the podcast.   Links To Additional Resources: Eartha Kitt - Wikipedia Eartha Kitt | Biography, Songs, Catwoman, & Facts | Britannica Eartha Kitt | Spotify Eartha Kitt - Catwoman, Santa Baby & Songs Eartha Kitt's life was scarred by her failure to learn the identity of her white father, says daughter | Music | The Guardian Eartha Kitt's Daughter Recalls Hollywood Legend's Journey South Carolina Superheroes: Eartha Kitt | South Carolina State Museum Eartha Kitt - Hollywood Walk of Fame 'We had to eat whatever we could dig out of the ground': How Eartha Kitt rose from 'extreme poverty' to superstardom Introduction - Eartha Kitt: Topics in Chronicling America - Research Guides at Library of Congress Eartha Kitt: She Growls, She Purrs | Psychology Today The Enduring Legacy of Eartha Kitt, a Subversive Icon Targeted by the CIA Oxford American | Eartha Kitt, Coming Home Eartha Kitt Discography: Vinyl, CDs, & More | Discogs Eartha Kitt: African American Singer Eartha Kitt Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More... | AllMusic Eartha Kitt music, videos, stats, and photos | Last.fm About - Eartha Kitt - The Westport Library Resource Guides at The Westport Library Eartha Kitt - More Than Our Childhoods Eartha Kitt, singer, actor and activist | Europeana Biography - Eartha Kitt, 1927-2008: Singer, Actress and 'Catwoman' (VOA Special English 2009-06-04) Home Depot and Eartha Kitt — UUMC Eartha Kitt - South Carolina African American History Calendar Eartha Kitt, Singer With a Come-Hither Persona, Dies at 81 - The New York Times Award-Winning Entertainer Eartha Kitt Dies At 81 | SDPB Eartha Kitt: From small town to international stages Eartha Kitt | Disney Wiki | Fandom Eartha Kitt (Author of I'm Still Here) Eartha Kitt's daughter reveals what her mother taught her about race The New York Public Library The life and times of Eartha Kitt, a true American hero Eartha Kitt: Singer and actress with a difficult reputation who was described as 'the most exciting woman on earth' | The Independent | The Independent Singer, Performer Eartha Kitt Dies at 81 | PBS News Eartha Kitt Biography: Eartha Kitt - Breakfast at Dominique's Eartha Kitt | Encyclopedia.com Eartha Kitt, 1927-2008: Singer, Actress and 'Catwoman' Remembering Eartha Kitt: The Iconic Singer and Actress's Legacy Lives On | by System Ent Corp | Medium Cozy Things To Do In December - by Kristen Garaffo The Jazz Intersection - November 30, 2025 | KPFA Fashion designer Isaac Mizrahi on life lessons from Liza Minnelli, Linda Evangelista and Eartha Kitt - The Globe and Mail Eartha Kitt | Disney Fanon Wiki | Fandom Eartha Kitt: The Best of Eartha Kitt – Proper Music Award-Winning Entertainer Eartha Kitt Dies At 81 : NPR That Bad Eartha - Wikipedia 30 Of The Best Christmas Songs You Still Hear While Shopping - That Eric Alper ‎Eartha Kitt Movies and Shows - Apple TV Eartha Kitt | Voice Actors from the world Wikia | Fandom Eartha Kitt - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Who was Eartha Kitt, and why was she smeared by the CIA?