‘Batman’ Actress Julie Newmar Had ‘Last-Minute’ Son With Down Syndrome At 48 & Loves Him ‘Unconditionally’

May 22, 2023

Julie Newmar, a name synonymous with grace, beauty, and a touch of mischief, forever etched her place in entertainment history as the first actress to portray Catwoman onscreen. With her captivating presence, stunning physique and seductive charm, Julie breathed life into the iconic feline femme fatale, leaving an indelible mark on both the world of comic book adaptations and the hearts of fans worldwide.

Born on Aug. 16, 1933, in Los Angeles, California, Newmar’s path to stardom began when she enrolled at the University of California to study dance and classical piano. Her dedication and talent led her to perform with prestigious ballet companies, including the Los Angeles Opera and the San Francisco Opera. However, the six-foot-tall stunner found herself too tall to make a real career out of dancing and made the switch to acting instead.

In 1966, she was presented with a role that would forever define her career and become her most iconic portrayal – Catwoman in the hit television series “Batman.” With her statuesque figure, perfectly arched eyebrows and sultry voice, Newmar captured the essence of the character, striking a balance between sensuality, intelligence and a touch of mischief.

Newmar’s Catwoman was a force to be reckoned with. Her slinky movements, the way she purred her lines, and her playful interactions with Batman, played by Adam West, made her a fan favorite and an instant pop culture sensation. Her portrayal became an iconic representation of the character and laid the foundation for future interpretations of Catwoman in film and television.

Throughout her illustrious career, Newmar garnered numerous accolades, including a Tony Award for her role in the Broadway musical “The Marriage-Go-Round.” 

While Newmar’s career gave her plenty of happiness and satisfaction, it was life at home, particularly with her son, that gave it purpose.

Beyond her captivating portrayal of Catwoman, Newmar’s career extended far beyond the confines of Gotham City. She demonstrated her versatility as an actress, appearing in numerous films, television shows, and stage productions. Her notable film roles include “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” “The Rookie” and “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar,” a 1995 film that playfully paid homage to her iconic Catwoman persona. Her talent and presence on stage and screen captivated audiences and critics alike, solidifying her status as an accomplished actress and performer.

In her personal life, Newmar was linked to a slew of famous men, including comedian Mort Sahl and actor Ken Scott, but it was a lawyer by the name of J. Holt Smith who swept her off her feet. The pair wed in 1977 and she left the bright lights of Hollywood to live with him in Fort Worth, Texas. Although they eventually divorced in 1984, they shared one son, John Jewl Smith. John was born in 1981 with Down syndrome and three years later, a bout of meningitis left him deaf and mute. 

Newmar knew she had to step up to the plate to care for John, and she poured her heart and soul into motherhood. Now 89 years old, Newmar is absolutely inseparable from her 42-year-old son, who uses a wheelchair to get around.

“John was born when I was 48, a last-minute baby,” she told the LA Times. “He’s deaf and mute, so visual things are a delight to him... he’s such a highly developed human being he’s a blessing to be around.”

Back in her 60s, Newmar took John on travels around the world to exotic destinations such as Bali and other cities in Southeast Asia. However, this had to change after Newmar was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, which left her leg muscles too weak to move unassisted. However, this doesn’t mean she doesn’t still enjoy all the things the natural world has to offer.

Because Newmar has cultivated such a fondness for gardens, the mother-and-son duo often spend their days outside in the presence of lush greenery and fresh air. Due to John’s scoliosis, he often scoots around on his mother’s lap as they make the rounds on her motorized wheelchair.

“We stay about 10 to 20 minutes in one place to see what’s going on, because unless you’re still nothing happens in the garden. The garden heals me from all my left brain business. Whenever you get too wound up, too stressed out, I advise you to just go to a garden and be still for 10 minutes,” she told the LA Times.

She also gushed about John’s talent as an artist, which has seen his works put up on display at renowned galleries. “He lives with me, and he’s a wonderful artist,” she told Closer Weekly about her “adorable” son. She also told Closer that having a child with Down syndrome was “very helpful” and that “Parents should never feel like they have an afflicted child.”

It’s clear Newmar’s love for her son knows no bounds. She told the outlet:

“He’s the cause of the great expansion of my outlook on life. He’s responsible for my understanding and practice of unconditional love. John is what makes my life great.” 

What do you think about Julie Newmar’s relationship with her son? Were you a fan of her portrayal of Catwoman back in the ’60s? Let us know and don’t forget to pass this on to friends and family, too!