Kim Novak is an American actress best known for her dual roles as Madeleine Elster and Judy Barton in Alfred Hitchcock's psychological thriller Vertigo. Novak was a prominent figure in the mid-to-late 1950s.
Marilyn Pauline Novak was born on February 13, 1933, in the state of Chicago. She is the second child of Joseph and Blanche Novak (both of whom co-starred in The Notorious Landlady (1962). Both of her parents are of Czech heritage and were born in Chicago. Joseph was a history teacher who worked for the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad as a freight dispatcher during the Great Depression. Her father was strict with his youthful little girl. Her mixed emotions toward her father gave them a complex relationship, but she still cherished him for how he supported and raised her.
In an interview with Turner Classic Movies, Novak said that her father's family had a history of mental illness before developing effective antipsychotics. "I loved my father, admired my father, but [he] terrified me," she said in a 2020 interview with CBS Sunday Morning.
She went to William Penn Elementary, Farragut High School, and Wright Junior College, among other schools. She was awarded two scholarships to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, which she used to attend. Novak went on a cross-country tour modeling for a refrigerator company at trade exhibits during her last semester of junior college.
After signing with Columbia Pictures in 1954, Novak began her cinematic career, starring in Picnic, The Man with the Golden Arm, and Pal Joey. She is most recognized for her role as Madeleine Elster/Judy Barton in Alfred Hitchcock's 1958 film Vertigo, in which she co-starred alongside James Stewart.
Novak was a movie office star, and she had starred along with Fred MacMurray, William Holden, Frank Sinatra, James Stewart, Jack Lemmon, Tyrone Power, Kirk Douglas, and Laurence Harvey.
Novak retired from acting in 1966 when she was still in her mid-thirties and has only performed in films sporadically since then. She had a regular part on the primetime series Falcon Crest (1986–1987) and appeared in The Mirror Crack'd (1980). Following a bad experience on Liebestraum's (1991) set, she announced her retirement from acting and stated that she had no desire to return. Two Golden Globe Awards, an Honorary Golden Bear Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame have all been given to her for her services to film. She is currently employed as a visual artist and painter.
Kim Novak had romantic relationships in the past with James Stewart and Frank Sinatra. She has a long list of torrid flings with many famous artists. Her first marriage with Richard Johnson in 1965 did not last. They got a divorce within one year of their marriage. She settled in her 43-acre ranch in Sams Valley, Oregon, after marrying veterinarian Robert Malloy.
After she retired from the movies in the 1990's she learned about painting from some famous artists. She took to painting, horse riding, and taking care of her ranch while leading a happy married life after her time in Hollywood.
On March 12, 1976, they tied the knot. She has two adult stepchildren as a result of her marriage. On November 27, 2020, Malloy passed away.
Artists Harley Brown and Richard McKinley taught Novak how to work with pastels. Their home was destroyed in a fire in July 2000, and she lost all of her artwork and the only draft of the book she had been working on for ten years.
Novak was injured in a horseback riding accident in 2006. She was left with a pierced lung, shattered ribs, and nerve damage, but she recovered completely within a year.
Novak was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2010, according to her manager, Sue Cameron. Novak was also "undergoing therapy," according to Cameron, who added that "her doctors believe she is in wonderful physical shape and should recover very well." She made a full recovery.
Kim had disputes with many producers and directors and rebelled against any advancements made against her wishes. Hollywood mogul Harry Cohn guided to join Columbia Pictures. He had a reputation of forcing new and young actors to sleep with him, and the casting couch was at its scandalous peak at that time. She not only refused to go through the bleak process but also rebelled against changing her full name. Cohn seemed to be a tormenting boyfriend to Kim; this was one of the oldest Hollywood scandals. Kim was one actress who refused to be used as a puppet and was resented by Harry many times. Their work relationship was always on the rocks. Harry's widow blamed Kim for Harry's heart attack. She said that Kim's behavior led to his heart attack.
| Birth Date: | 13 Feb, 1933 |
| Age: | 87 yrs |
| Occupations: | Film actor Painter Model Television actor |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Chicago |
| residence: | Sams Valley |
| Education: | School of the Art Institute of Chicago |
| Gender: | Female |
| Description: | American actress |
| Spouse: | Richard Johnson[1965-1966] |
| Net Worth 2021: | 15 million |
