Eartha Kitt

singer, dancer, and actress
Born: 1/17/1927
Birthplace: North, S.C.

Kitt is best known for the holiday hit "Santa Baby." She started her entertainment career in the early 1950s as a dancer with the Katherine Dunham troupe. She joined the troupe on its European tour and remained in Paris, achieving fame as a nightclub singer. She starred in Broadway'sNew Faces of 1952, as well as in the film version of the production. She also played Catwoman in theBatmantelevision series. In 2003 she performed in the Broadway production ofNine.Kitt is the voice of Yzma in Disney'sThe Emperor's New Groove(2000),Kronk's New Groove(2005), and the TV cartoon spinoff,The Emperor's New School(2006–).