Remembering Kitty Carlisle Hart
If ever there was an unofficial Queen of New York City, Kitty Carlisle Hart was it. Kitty, who would have been 101 on Saturday, was for many years considered the “grande dame” of New York’s cultural arts world. And with good reason. She was not only a superb singer and actress, but she also served for 20 years as chairwoman of the New York State Council on the Arts.
Even with these accomplishments, she may be best known as a beloved television personality. Back in the 1950s and 60s, when game shows were a staple of network primetime schedules, Kitty came into America’s living rooms regularly as a panelist on such classics as "What’s My Line?" and "To Tell the Truth."
This is how I remember her. In every one of her appearances, she was always the epitome of grace and class. A gifted storyteller, she possessed a sly wit that kept her from ever crossing into pretentiousness. She was, by all accounts, a very entertaining woman to sit next to at a party. So, here’s a YouTube birthday tribute to an actress, performer and arts advocate--a woman who wore many hats and made it all look easy with her warmth, sophistication and style.
Double your impact to amplify Jewish women’s stories—
All gifts matched up to $35,000
Before you close this article, please consider supporting the Jewish Women’s Archive and uplifting Jewish women’s voices.
At JWA, we preserve the voices of Jewish women and gender-expansive people past and present, share them freely with millions online, and empower a new generation of Jewish feminists to lead with courage, creativity, and conviction.
But none of this happens without you. JWA is an independent nonprofit— we rely on people, like you, who believe that history belongs to all of us and that the voices of Jewish women must remain powerful, and heard.
This month, a generous JWA board member will match every gift dollar for dollar—up to $35,000—through June 30. Your contribution goes twice as far right now.
Every contribution—no matter the size—helps us document, teach, and inspire through Jewish women’s stories.
It takes less than a minute to make a difference.
Thank you for being a part of the JWA community,
Judith Rosenbaum, CEO
