Profile Text
Kitt in 2003, photo by Prphotos
Birth Name: Eartha Mae Keith/Kitt
Date of Birth: January 17, 1927
Place of Birth: North or St. Matthews, South Carolina, U.S.
Date of Death: December 25, 2008
Place of Death: Weston, Connecticut, U.S.
Ethnicity: * mother – African-American * biological father – likely mostly European
Eartha Kitt was an American singer, actress, dancer, comedian, activist, author, and songwriter. She is known for playing Catwoman on the 1960s series Batman .
Eartha’s mother, Mamie/Annie Mae Kitt, was born in Calhoun County, South Carolina, and was African-American. Mamie was also said to have Cherokee Native American ancestry, although it is not clear if that is accurate. Eartha’s biological father was said to be white. Eartha stated that she was often made fun of because of her light skin while growing up in the South.
Eartha had a daughter with her former husband, businessperson John William McDonald.
Eartha’s maternal grandfather was named William Keitt/Kitt (the son of Delia Keitt). William was born in South Carolina. Delia was the daughter of Hilliard Keitt and Catherine.
Eartha’s maternal grandmother was named Fanny/Fannie Riley (the daughter of Wesley Riley). Fanny was born in South Carolina. Wesley was born in South Carolina, the son of Wesley Riley.
Eartha’s biological father may have been Daniel Richard Sturkie. He is named as such in the book America’s Mistress: The Life and Times of Miss Eartha Kitt , 2013, by John L. Williams. Daniel’s ancestry included Swiss-German, English, German, Scottish, French, and Creek [Muscogee] Native American.
Daniel’s father was Calvin Richard Sturkie (the son of Richard Benjamin Sturkie and Jerusha Jeffcoat). Richard was the son of John Casper/Caspar Sturkie and Martha Ann Rickenbacker. Jerusha was the daughter of The Rev. Elijah Liege Jeffcoat/Jefcoat and Jerushia/Jerusha “Dollie”/Dolly Hoover.
Daniel Sturkie’s mother was Josephine Caroline “Jo” Hutto (the daughter of Daniel Ansel Hutto and Ann Caroline Williams). Daniel’s grandfather Daniel Hutto was the son of Nicholas Hutto and Susanna Grubbs. Ann was the daughter of The Rev. John Elmore Williams and Mary Wolfe.
Sources: http://www.theguardian.com
Genealogies of Eartha Kitt – https://www.geni.com https://www.findagrave.com