About Kim Novak
Marilyn Pauline "Kim" Malloy (née Novak; born February 13, 1933) is a retired American actress. Her contributions to cinema have been honored with two Golden Globe Awards, an Honorary Golden Bear, a Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Novak began her career in 1954 after signing a contract with Columbia Pictures, and quickly became one of Hollywood's top box office stars, appearing in Picnic (1955), The Man with the Golden Arm (1955), and Pal Joey (1957). She gained prominence for her performance in Alfred Hitchcock's thriller Vertigo (1958), which is recognized as one of the greatest films ever made. Other notable films include Bell, Book and Candle (1958), Strangers When We Meet (1960), and Kiss Me, Stupid (1964). By 1965 Novak mostly withdrew from acting and has appeared only sporadically in films since, but has studied art and displayed her paintings in major galleries. She appeared in The Mirror Crack'd (1980) and had a regular role on the primetime series Falcon Crest (1986–1987). After a disappointing experience during the filming of Liebestraum (1991), she retired from acting. In Los Angeles, Novak was discovered by an agent, who signed her to a long-term contract with Columbia Pictures. Novak's first role for the studio was in the film noir Pushover (1954), in which she received third billing below Fred MacMurray and Philip Carey. Picnic was a resounding critical and box-office triumph, and Novak won a Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer. She won two scholarships to the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.