Kim Novak Biography

Fast Facts

• In the words of film historian David Thomson, she is "the epitome of every small-town waitress or beauty contest winner who thought of being in the movies
• " A Columbia Pictures production assistant introduced her to a talent scout after meeting her at a party in Los Angeles; she was on tour that summer modeling for Thor refrigerators
• Went on a personal strike in 1957 to protest her pay, which was $1,250 per week
• Was first choice to play Marion Wormer, the Dean's wife, in 1978's Animal House
• Turned down the lead roles in the 1961 films Breakfast at Tiffany's and The Hustler
• Had a well-publicized relationship with Sammy Davis Jr
• Raises horses and llamas on her Oregon ranch with her husband
• In 2005, fashion designer Alexander McQueen named one of his handbags "The Novak" in her honor