Beyond the Catwoman mask, Julie Newmar built a quiet empire in Los Angeles real estate.
While the world remembers Julie Newmar as the iconic, statuesque villainess of 1960s television, her life off-screen was defined by sharp business acumen. From patenting innovative lingerie designs to revitalizing Los Angeles neighborhoods through strategic property investment, Newmar channeled the same intensity she brought to her acting into building lasting wealth.
Born in 1933, Newmar began her career as a dancer and stage actress, eventually winning a Tony Award in 1959. However, her professional interests extended far beyond the spotlight. Influenced by her mother, who was a fashion designer and real estate investor, Newmar took over the management of her family's property portfolio in the La Brea and Fairfax districts of Los Angeles during her early years as an actress.
Her entrepreneurial spirit led her to pursue formal education in the field, returning to UCLA in the 1970s to study real estate. This academic foundation allowed her to expand her management of the family holdings and make significant independent investments in the Melrose Avenue area. Her efforts were widely credited with contributing to the development of the district, and she became a notable figure in local community advocacy, even successfully lobbying the Los Angeles City Council to implement a temporary ban on leaf blowers.
Newmar also applied her creative instincts to product design, securing four U.S. patents during the 1970s. These included two designs for brassieres—one of which was noted for its nearly invisible aesthetic—and two for specialized pantyhose. The latter, marketed under the brand name Nudemar, featured a unique design intended to provide extra comfort for the wearer. These ventures highlight a career defined by versatility, where the same woman who modified her own iconic Catwoman costume to better suit her silhouette was simultaneously navigating the complexities of urban development and industrial design.
Source: Julie Newmar
