Eartha Kitt, a singer, dancer, actress and voiceover artist, died Christmas Day in Connecticut, according to the ASSOCIATED PRESS. She was 81. A family spokesman said she succumbed to colon cancer.

Kitt started as a dancer with the Katherine Dunham troupe, moving into acting and singing onstage, in movies and on television, landing the role of Catwoman on the BATMAN TV series in 1967 to 1968, replacing Julie Newmar.

A versatile performer, Kitt was on Broadway as recently as 2003 and was the voice of Yzma on Disney's THE EMPEROR'S NEW GROOVE film and THE EMPEROR'S NEW SCHOOL TV series.

Kitt won Annie Awards in 2001, 2007 and 2008 for that voice acting work.