Kim Novak, American actress
Marilyn Pauline "Kim" Novak (born February 13, 1933) is a retired American film and television actress and painter.
Novak began her film career in 1954 after signing with Columbia Pictures and subsequently became one of Hollywood's top box office stars, starring in many films, including Picnic (1955), The Man with the Golden Arm (1955) and Pal Joey (1957). She is widely known for her performance as Madeleine Elster/Judy Barton in Alfred Hitchcock's thriller Vertigo (1958) with James Stewart. The film was ignored by critics upon release, but is now recognized as one of the greatest films ever made. Other notable films include Bell, Book and Candle (1958), Strangers When We Meet (1960) and Kiss Me, Stupid (1964).
Although still only in her mid-30s, Novak withdrew from acting in 1966 and has only sporadically worked in films since. She appeared in The Mirror Crack'd (1980), and had a regular role on the primetime series Falcon Crest (1986–1987). After a disappointing experience during the filming of Liebestraum (1991), she permanently retired from acting, saying she had no desire to return. Her contributions to cinema have been honored with two Golden Globe Awards, an Honorary Golden Bear Award, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Novak is a painter and visual artist.