Entertainment Weekly is reporting the legendary actress and singer, Eartha Kitt, has died from colon cancer at the age of 81. Eartha Mae Kitt (January 17, 1927 – December 25, 2008) was an American actress, singer, and cabaret star.  Kitt’s seductive Catwoman ”purr” may be what she was most remembered for, but Kitt had a long successful career in entertainment.  She started as a dancer- but eventually appeared in theater, TV and movies.  Orson Welles once called her the “most exciting woman in the world.”

Kitt died on Christmas Day.  Ironically, one of her biggest hits was her sultry 1953 rendition of “Santa Baby,” in which Kitt was not shy about letting Santa Claus know exactly what she wanted, including “a light blue convertible,” “a yacht,” “a platinum mine,” “a duplex,” “a ring” and, of course, “checks.”  Her holiday song remains one of the most popular Christmas tunes of all time.

Kitt also played the role of Catwoman for the third season of the 1960s Batman TV series, replacing Julie Newmar.  Her appearance on the show was socially significant, as the sexual tension that existed between her character and the character of Batman was considered highly taboo by many at the time due to Kitt’s race.