The greatest Catwoman survives a health scare.
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Julie Newmar announced on Facebook on Friday afternoon that she suffered a heart attack a week ago but that she’s “feeling OK.”
“A week ago, I had an Acute Myocardial Infarction, a heart attack,” she wrote. “I was saved by two handsome paramedics who whisked me to St. Johns Hospital in Santa Monica to be welcomed by seven super-efficient nurses at 3: AM, evidently a good time to show up. I apologized to Dr Steven Levine for inconveniencing his good sleep and 40 minutes later had a stent implant. Until then, the pain had been intense, like perforating needles from groin to throat. Starting with the immediate response from 911, I was passed through a miracle of loving hands. Feeling OK.”
As much as I admire the greats like Lee Meriwether and Eartha Kitt (not to mention fine performers like Michelle Pfeiffer and Anne Hathaway), Julie Newmar will forever be the greatest Catwoman.
I’ve been fortunate to become long-distance friends with Julie over the last few years, through formal interviews and informal chats over the phone — she in California, me in New York. Every conversation is a pinch-me moment, not just because I get to sit there and talk with this legendary actress but because she’s as warm and engaging as you’d hope she’d be.
Feel free to click here and here for a couple of those interviews, where she talks about life in Gotham — and beyond it. I think they’ll give you a really good idea of what a wonderfully warm woman she is.
Get well, Julie!
We’re all thinking of you.
April 27, 2018
She will always be the one true Catwoman. Get well soon!
April 27, 2018
+1
July 31, 2018
My mother, Kathryn Lusich, was Julie Newmar’s accompaniest during her dancing lessons, and had the greatest affection and respect for her and her mother. Wishing Julie Newmar the best of everything. She deserves it.
April 27, 2018
JUlie, best wishes from Brazil…hope you recover very soon!!
April 28, 2018
Sad to hear that she had a heart attack,for we’re all very lucky that she survived it and that she is still alive.
April 28, 2018
“Pinch me” moments are awesome! I hope she gets better soon.
April 29, 2018
Love you,Julie. My Catwoman. Get well, stay well.
April 29, 2018
My childhood idol! She’s so awesome! Glad she is doing better!
May 16, 2018
Agreed — with all love and respect for Meriwether, Kitt, Pfeiffer, and Hathaway, Julie Newmar is to Catwoman what Christopher Reeve is to Superman: the high-water mark that will never be topped. Speedy recovery, Julie!