Born in 1927 South Carolina, Eartha Kitt became popular in Paris as a nightclub singer, then returned to the U.S. to appear in films and on Broadway.

In the 1960s, Kitt had a recurring role as Catwoman on TV's Batman, but her career waned after she criticized the Vietnam War during a luncheon with Lady Bird Johnson.

The recording featured such signature songs as "I Want To Be Evil" and "C'est Si Bon," as well as the perennially holiday classic "Santa Baby."

Remarkably, Kitt only played Catwoman on a handful of episodes of the short-lived campy crime show, starring Adam West and Burt Ward, but she made the role her own with her lithe, cat-like frame and her distinctive voice.

In 1978, Kitt enjoyed a career renaissance with her performance on Broadway in Timbuktu!