Eartha Kitt Dies at age 81

Eartha Kitt, dies at age 81
(January 17, 1927-December 25, 2008)

White screen legend James Dean was-not only a best friend (her play brother) of actress Dorothy Dandridge; he was also a close friend of Eartha Kitt. Kitt often hung out with Dean in the passenger seat of his Porsche convertible. Dean often got grief from studio bosses for hanging out with Kitt but he ignored them and often took her out in public (with the top down) despite their objections. One evening, they were driving on Mulholland Drive when Kitt told him, 'James, I don't like this car; it's going to kill you.' Dean laughed as he calmly took the curves to finish their journey back to Miller Drive. A week later, she heard on the radio-James Dean is dead. He was on his way to a car race and crashed. Kitt was devastated.

Eartha Kitt, a sultry singer, dancer and actress who rose from South Carolina cotton fields to become an international symbol of elegance and sensuality, has died, a family spokesman said. She was 81.

Andrew Freedman said Kitt, who was recently treated at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, died Thursday in Connecticut of colon cancer.

Kitt, a self-proclaimed "sex kitten" famous for her catlike purr, was one of America's most versatile performers, winning two Emmys and nabbing a third nomination. She also was nominated for several Tonys and two Grammys.

Read more about eartha's passing and career at: http://music.yahoo.com/read/news/61935259