Julie has consented to answer a handful of questions from visitors of this website, each month! These questions are asked by you, and answered by Julie Newmar herself. Your chance to ask your own question is at the bottom of the page.
Joe Roberts
USA
I seem to recall reading at one time that Julie had a brother who was once mayor of San Francisco. Is this true?

Julie: Almost, my brother Dr. John Newmeyer P.H.D. Harvard ran in the second district, Napa California as a Democrat in 1982. He lost to a 5th term Republican encumbent. He is proprietor of Heron Lake Wineries of Green Valley Ranch.

Several questions asking about the original Catwoman costume...

Jack Bagnall, James Kim, Dan Rand, et al...
Could you describe your Catwoman costume, like the different parts? Did it change, or simply remade as at the time of transmission executives at Greenway Productions were not too sure if the Catwoman would be recurring in season 2. What kind of material was it? Do you still have the original costume?

Julie: The original Catwoman costume was made of LUREX - in what appeared like a shiny blue thread running through it. It has a zipper in the back. Is especially formed by me to fit over my body. My grandmother taught me how to sew, even as a child I used to make some of my own clothes. So, I know the secret of the form fitting costume. And have it to this day. I have several of the costumes, made over the years (due to its enduring popularity).

Felix Ramirez
Roselle Park, NJ USA
I saw you back in March at City Center in "Lil Abner" and was lucky enough to speak to you after the show. You are incredible, so I was wondering if you ever though of doing a video on health, beauty, and fitness - - three things that come to my mind when I see you.

Julie: Thank you for your kindness. I haven't thought of it yet. I don't like to sit down. Although it is becoming more desirable, your encouragement may pursuade me.

John Skillin
Montclair, NJ USA
What are your memories of working for producer Sam Katzman and director William Castle on the shoestring epic, "Serpent of the Nile"? I saw this recently and was very impressed with your big dance number. You first appear as a gold statue, then you come to life and go into your dance - - fabulous!!!!

Julie: Sam Katzman, a film producer famed for doing audacious filmed spectacles on a tinsel budget, was seeking a golden girl for his epicurean rendition of the life of Cleopatra, titled "Serpent of the Nile" lady with serpent to be played by the gorgeous Rhonda Fleming. Bill Lundigan filled the shoes, somewhat, of her lover. Raymond Burr was stunning in an early role.

My role plus a dozen dancing virgins was executed, well nearly in full body paint of pure gold. Of course in those days, even belly buttons were out, but with that many backbends, swirling, crouching and physical settlements, reamed from my indepth study of hieroglyphology at L.A.'s downtown library, my belly button, the real one broke loose, "cut cut...", not to worry the day was saved with some handy scotch tape. Actually, the dance was quite good. Two Hundred Fifty dollars for that day and that dance - more than my father made in a week. He was not pleased."

Duke Clark
Phoenix AZ USA
Julie! Will you be making any public appearances in the Phoenix area? I love watching you work. You always make me laugh. How did you develop your craft in terms of character, voice and movement?

Julie: Duke, you are so wonderful, to say that I make you laugh. Nothing pleases me more. In my case laughter is all about two things: truth and timing. Whenever I tell the truth about myself, people seem to laugh. Timing is the selfless technique of knowing how long an idea needs to register in the other persons mind. It's like giving good directions. I imagine I'm the other person hearing it for the first time.

John Pokocky
Toronto, ON Canada
I'm sure you've been told, that for many early teenage boys, that you as Catwoman were their "first" (you can count me in that group). And in reruns for Batman that will continue for many years into the future. How do you feel about that and the fact that you personally set the standard for a fantasy woman?

Julie: Totally fabulous. I am absolutely stupefied by the fact that the audience got it My sexuality, that is. The audience is right. I'm an all night pleasure.

Guy Dupre
Saratoga NY USA
Do you remember the first time someone asked you for your autograph? What are some of the odd or interesting items you have been asked to autograph? Do you get recognized in public alot? Was there ever a time where autographing was, or became overwhelming? Do you have anyone's autograph?

Julie: The compliment of being asked for your autograph at first made me unsteady. "Who, me?" was my reaction. Now, I feel warm all over. Love is a hundred percent acceptable these days.

Mike Trotman
Northampton, MA USA
If you were in your 20s today, suddenly famous and idolized, would you take advantage of the opportunity to be assertive and aggressive (like, say, Madonna) which is currently in vogue, or would your public persona be more reserved (though no less competent, like, for instance, model/actress Elizabeth Hurley)?

Julie: Madonna. I love her grasp of life. I wish this was available when I was 20. I don't know if she is a model for everyone. You'd have to have her talent, all that she is.

Al Tootikian
How long did it take to get into the Catsuit? There is a Catsuit being sold on the Internet which zips up the front. Is that the Catsuit you wore?

Julie: No. It zipped in the back. Everyone I know has a catsuit, including some of the guys.

Al Tootikian
Is it true you wanted to come back for the last season of the Batman series, but were not asked?

Julie: No. I did six one-hour episodes, which became particular favorites due to the sensational imagination of the writer, Stanley Ralph Ross.

Felix Ramierez (Roselle Park, NJ USA)
If you could go back in time knowing what you know now, what career move would you do differently, if anything?

Julie: I would have fallen in love with directors and choreographers instead of bankers and Wall Street men.

Joe Roberts, Jr. (Wise, VA USA)
What are your memories of working on the Twilight Zone episode where you played the Devil?

Julie: Twilight Zone was filmed in a small studio on West 44th Street - Sardi's famous theatre restaurant on one side, a few flop houses on the other, the New York Times behind it. It was filmed in black and white of course, I wore my own clothes. They pinned some tiny devil-like horns to my head and I most casually spoke Rod Serlings wonderful lines.

Tom (?)
You appeared recently in a revival of Li'l Abner in NYC. Any chance this revival will be taken 'on the road'? It would be great to see you on stage again, especially in the Los Angeles area.

Julie: Not to my knowledge. I'm the last to hear. Companies will give you two weeks notice on a broadway show, two days on a television show. By the way, Los Angeles is the best audience to play for, they are so saavy.

Darren (Portland OR)
Was working on the Monkees TV show as manic as it looks? What was their reaction to you, and you them?

Julie: The Monkees television show was a piece of manic heaven, from start to finish. Sweet hearted inspiration, the boys had so many heartthrobs standing outside the Columbia Studio sound stage where we filmed, I could hardly get through the door. They were a dream to work with... They still light my fire.

Darren (Portland OR)
Does it bother or worry you that you are known primarily as a cat?

Julie: It is my reward to be known as anything positive in people's mind. I hope never to lose the positive part. The love in my life was to dance, ballet. Ballet is the sublimity of all physical expression. I am asked why I still look good, it's Ballet. 2 or 3 classes a week.

Darren (Portland OR)
If someone were to offer, would you have any interest in returning to series television?

Julie: Yes. I would love to be Brook Shield's mom; Michael Richards' "Kramer"; one liners; physical comedy. I have a dry sense of humor, people laugh at me when I tell the truth. It is rather off of me that humor is made. I'm silly, above-it-all; a clown, capricious. My favorites are Peter Sellers, Bill Cosby, John Cleese, and English comediane Kay Kendall.

Darren (Portland OR)
How does Julie Newmar fill her days?

Julie: Work. Play. My romance - is my life. I run several businesses in Real Estate. The Arts. Mostly, I'm a producer. I'm finding it's my time to give back to the world.

The questions are compiled by me, Darren Holmquist. I send them to Julie Newmar, she answers and sends them back to me. This is not a personal pipeline to Julie Newmar. Not all questions will be answered. You will not need to resubmit your question each month, but if after several months yours is not answered, you might try again!
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