Julie Newmar
Latest News on Julie Newmar
Date of Birth:
August 16, 1935 (86)
Birth Place: Hollywood, CA, USA
Bio:
As an eleventh generation American and a Mayflower descendant, Julie Newmar has beauty, brains and a charming sense of humor. Born Julia Chalene Newmeyer in Los Angeles, her father, Donald, was an engineering professor, head of the Phys Ed. Department, and head football coach at LACC. He was on the ...
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Latest News on Julie Newmar
Stage Credits
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George Chakiris, LA Councilman Mitch O'Farrell, George Braukman, Julie Newmar, Steve Nycklemoe, Donelle Dadigan and Carolyn Hennesy
Stage
PerformancesJulie Newmar Biography
As an eleventh generation American and a Mayflower descendant, Julie Newmar has beauty, brains and a charming sense of humor. Born Julia Chalene Newmeyer in Los Angeles, her father, Donald, was an engineering professor, head of the Phys Ed. Department, and head football coach at LACC. He was on the L. A. Buccaneers Wonder Team. Her mother, Helen Jesmer, was a Ziegfeld Follies girl, said by Eddie Cantor to have the most beautiful legs in the Follies.From an early age, Julie studied classical piano, ballet, and every form of dance her mother would drive her to lessons for, graduating high school at 15, then spending a year in Europe with her mother and brother John. On her UCLA entrance exam, she scored a 99, staying only six weeks, switching to Universal Studios as choreographer, teacher, and dance double. Not yet 18, she was the original "Golden Girl," a statue-come-to-life dancing in "Serpent of the Nile," often times seen on MySpace, YouTube, and was one of the brides in the classic MGM musical "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers."
"Silk Stockings" was her first role on Broadway at 19. Then the very "Stupefyin' Jones" in "Li'l Abner." She won a Tony for her first speaking role in the hit comedy "Marriage-Go-Round" (Claudette Colbert and Charles Boyer). A contract with 20th Century FOX provided Marilyn Monroe/Jayne Mansfield-type roles in "The Rookie," "The Maltese Bippy,"... In London, she played the ubiquitous love interest of Zero Mostel in the unfinished film "Monsieur Le Coq." She also toured in the National Company, opposite Joel Gray, in "Stop the World, I Want to Get Off." Her legs were insured for $10 million (except in the event of theft).
Making the transition to TV, Julie had many memorable song and dance routines (a Jonathan Winters Special, The Danny Kaye Show, Mike Douglas Show) but is best known for her comedic as well as supernatural roles. She was the complex and alluring motorcycle babe in two episodes of "Route 66" (a role created for her by Stirling Silliphant) and starred in a "Twilight Zone" episode as The Devil. She was claimed again by Jim Aubrey, President of CBS for the lead in "My Living Doll" as Rhoda the robot, still a cult sitcom favorite.
In 1966, urged by her brother at Harvard, she created the role of Catwoman in "Batman." Her sense of humor and physicality made her this show's most popular villain. Similarly popular was her appearance as April the Laundress in "The Monkees Get Out More Dirt". On "Wide, Wide World of Sports," she made three parachute jumps. She was killed off in "Columbo" but slayed audiences as Lola in "Damn Yankees." She was given a chapter in the book "Mothers of Invention" for having created "Nudemar," a new design in pantyhose, appearing in People Magazine.
In the 1980s, Julie appeared in nine films of "presumptive" value while raising her son. A mother at 49 and divorced, she attended UCLA and took courses so she could more effectively run her own real estate business. In 1991, Julie took on the Rosalind Russel role in "The Women," then astonished Broadway in a revival of "Li'l Abner," 42 years after performing in the original production as Stupefyin' Jones in the same costume. In her 60s, she became a modeling sensation in Paris for Thierry Mugler and appeared among the fashion world's most gorgeous divas in George Michael's music video "Too Funky."
Few women have had a movie named after them. Julie's name literally became box office via "To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything, Julie Newmar," a film from Stephen Spielberg's company. Literary types from John D. MacDonald to Harlan Coben have written characters based on Julie or alluding to Julie's "special... beautiful and animated... incomparable feminine" personality. She was persuaded by Adam West to re-make Catwoman in his "Return to the Batcave." She also appeared in her own "A&E Biography."
From the '60s into the 21st century, Julie is still fascinating. "Beauty is her business" as well as her passion for art and design and gardening, which have led to a rose, day lily, and an orchid named in her honor. Her magnificent gardens are first choice for L.A.'s top charity events. "Why not? I live in Paradise."
Julie Newmar Awards and Nominations
Tony Awards - 1959 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play ![]() |
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Julie Newmar, The Marriage-Go-Round |
Julie Newmar News

by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 2, 2022
Asolo Repertory Theatre has announced full casting for the new musical HOOD. Five-time Tony-nominated playwright Douglas Carter Beane reunites with composer and lyricist Lewis Flinn, his Give it Up/Lysistrata Jones collaborator, to bring to life this hilarious and stirring new theatrical adventure.

by Marissa Tomeo - Apr 23, 2022
“For most, our mother is your first friend, your best friend, your forever friend. Our mother’s love is unconditional and only grows stronger over a lifetime,” says Donelle Dadigan (Founder/President of the Hollywood Museum).

by Marissa Tomeo - Apr 8, 2022
New York City drag legend Lady Bunny is set to bring her new show An Intimate Evening with Lady Bunny and Her Greatest Tits! to Catalina Jazz Club in Hollywood for one performance only on Sunday, May 1, at 7:30pm, it was announced today by Chris Isaacson Presents and Catalina.

by Stephi Wild - Mar 3, 2022
The Los Angeles LGBT Center's Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center has announced the return of the legendary Miss Coco Peru in her new solo show, Bitter, Bothered & Beyond. There will be three performances only at the Renberg Theatre on Friday and Saturday, April 29 and 30, at 8pm, and Sunday, May 1, at 7pm.

by Michael Dale - Nov 14, 2021
Sharing views not only on the current Broadway and Off-Broadway scenes, but offering an appreciative spotlight to Off-Off Broadway artists and other lesser-known entertainers who are just as important in making New York the nation's live performing arts capital. To encourage rather than critique.

by Stephi Wild - Aug 6, 2021
Rodgers & Hart's Babes in Arms, with a fresh, witty and relevant script by acclaimed playwright, Tony Award nominee Douglas Carter Beane, is the quintessential 'Hey, kids, let's put on a show' musical.

by A.A. Cristi - Jul 16, 2021
Trixie Mattel and Katya Zamolodchikova announced their first U.S. tour together, Trixie And Katya Live presented by Obsessed and powered by Five Senses Reeling. The tour will kick off March 15 and 16, 2022, in San Francisco, CA, with 20 additional dates throughout the country, including Chicago, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, Dallas, and more.

by A.A. Cristi - Jul 7, 2021
The 1st Event In over a year at the Historic Hollywood Landmark Founder/President, Donelle Dadigan and The Hollywood Museum created what can only be described as a first class who's who celebration for friend and museum supporter Ruta Lee, 'the first of what we hope will be many events back at the Museum,' says Ms Dadigan.

by A.A. Cristi - May 12, 2021
Rooftop Cinema Club (RCC), creator of the ultimate open-air cinema experience, celebrates their 10th Anniversary this June.

by Stephi Wild - Apr 7, 2021
Need something new to read, watch, or listen to? Check out this week's list of new and upcoming releases!
Julie Newmar Videos

by Stage Tube - Sep 10, 2020
Actor, John Leguizamo spoke with SiriusXM Urban View host, Clay Cane about his new film 'Critical Thinking,' a biographical drama about five Latinx and Black teenagers, discussed his controversial tweet about Latinx representation in film and television and about whata??s happening in the world.

by Stage Tube - Sep 4, 2020
The cast of 'To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar” appeared on TODAY in 1995 for a series of interviews with anchor Bryant Gumbel. Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes and John Leguizamo each discussed what it was like getting in drag for the hit film.

by Stage Tube - Sep 14, 2019
On this day in 2009, the world said goodbye to a luminous star of stage and screen, Patrick Swayze.

by Stage Tube - Oct 25, 2018
John Leguizamo won't rest until every moron becomes less of a moron. Latin History for Morons comes to Netflix November 5th.

by A.A. Cristi - Sep 14, 2018
Patrick Swayze, a three-time Golden Globe nominated actor, dancer, and singer-songwriter is best-known as the romantic lead in 'Dirty Dancing' and 'Ghost', and for the 'North and South' TV-series. His first professional job was as a dancer for Disney on Parade. In the 70's, the Texas native moved to New York to further his formal dance training. He studied with the Harkness Ballet Company, and then the Joffrey, before joining the Eliot Feld Ballet as a principal dancer.

by Stage Tube - Sep 14, 2017
Patrick Swayze, a three-time Golden Globe nominated actor, dancer, and singer-songwriter is best-known as the romantic lead in 'Dirty Dancing' and 'Ghost', and for the 'North and South' TV-series. His first professional job was as a dancer for Disney on Parade. In the 70's, the Texas native moved to New York to further his formal dance training. He studied with the Harkness Ballet Company, and then the Joffrey, before joining the Eliot Feld Ballet as a principal dancer.

by A.A. Cristi - Nov 11, 2017
Stage favorite John Leguizamo is prepping to make his highly-anticipated return to Broadway this fall in his original one-man comedic play Latin History For Morons.
by Stage Tube - May 23, 2013
Playwright Douglas Carter Beane currently has two shows on Broadway - a new book for Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella and a new play The Nance starring Nathan Lane and directed by Jack O'Brien.
by BroadwayWorld TV - May 5, 2013
BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was thrilled to sit down and speak with nearly all of this year's Tony Award nominees at the official Tonys Meet & Greet on May 1, 2013, and we will be bringing you special coverage on all of them throughout the awards season. Today we bring you Douglas Carter Beane, a nominee for Best Book of a Musical for Cinderella. Check out what he had to say below!
by BroadwayWorld TV - May 29, 2012
BroadwayWorld's Richard Ridge was thrilled to sit down and speak with nearly all of this year's Tony Award nominees at the official Tony Brunch on May 2, 2012, and we will be bringing you special coverage on all of them throughout the awards season. Today we chat with Douglas Carter Beane, nominated for Best Book of a Musical for Lysistarta Jones.