Career Timeline of Kim Novak: Major Achievements and Milestones
How Kim Novak built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Kim Novak, born Marilyn Pauline Novak, is a retired American actress and painter recognized for her significant contributions to cinema. She has received two Golden Globe Awards, an Honorary Golden Bear, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, highlighting her successful career and lasting impact on the entertainment industry. She is remembered for her iconic performances in classic films.
1953: Film Industry Exploration
In 1953, Kim Novak, along with two other models, traveled to Los Angeles to explore the film industry and worked as extras in 'Son of Sinbad' and 'The French Line'.
1954: Contract with Columbia Pictures
In 1954, Kim Novak signed a contract with Columbia Pictures, marking the beginning of her career in Hollywood.
1954: Roles in Pushover and Phffft
In 1954, Kim Novak's first role with Columbia Pictures was in 'Pushover', followed by a co-starring role in 'Phffft'.
1955: Release of Son of Sinbad
In 1955, 'Son of Sinbad', in which Kim Novak appeared as an extra, was released.
1955: Success with Picnic and The Man with the Golden Arm
In 1955, Kim Novak appeared in 'Picnic' and 'The Man with the Golden Arm', films that contributed to her rising stardom.
1955: Role in Picnic
In 1955, Kim Novak played Madge Owens in the film version of 'Picnic'. She also starred in The Man with the Golden Arm.
1955: Role in 5 Against the House
In 1955, Kim Novak starred in '5 Against the House', a crime drama.
1955: Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer – Female
In 1955, Kim Novak was honored with the Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer – Female, marking an early achievement in her acting career.
February 5, 1956: Appearance on What's My Line?
On February 5, 1956, Kim Novak appeared as a mystery guest on the game show 'What's My Line?' to promote 'Picnic'.
1956: Starring in The Eddy Duchin Story
In 1956, Kim Novak starred in 'The Eddy Duchin Story' as Marjorie Oelrichs.
1957: Starring in Pal Joey
In 1957, Kim Novak gained further recognition for her role in 'Pal Joey'.
1958: Casting in Vertigo and Salary Negotiations
In 1958, Alfred Hitchcock cast Kim Novak in 'Vertigo', leading to salary negotiations and a temporary suspension due to her demands for higher pay. Ultimately, she secured a new contract with a significantly increased salary of $3,000 a week.
1958: Prominence in Vertigo
In 1958, Kim Novak achieved prominence for her performance in Alfred Hitchcock's thriller 'Vertigo'.
1958: Starring in Bell, Book and Candle
In 1958, Kim Novak starred in 'Bell, Book and Candle' with James Stewart.
1958: Bell Book and Candle release
In 1958, Kim Novak starred in Bell Book and Candle. In 2014 she introduced a screening of the film at the TCM Classic Film Festival.
1958: Box office draw
Kim Novak became one of the biggest box-office draws of 1957 and 1958, contributing to her success and popularity.
1959: Starring in Middle of the Night
In 1959, Kim Novak starred in 'Middle of the Night', which she has described as her favorite film and best performance.
February 8, 1960: Awarded star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
On February 8, 1960, Kim Novak received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, located at 6332 Hollywood Boulevard, in recognition of her contributions to the film industry.
1960: Starring in Strangers When We Meet
In 1960, Kim Novak starred in the film 'Strangers When We Meet'.
1962: Boys' Night Out Release
In 1962, Kim Novak's film 'Boys' Night Out', the first from her five-picture deal with Filmways Pictures, was released but proved unsuccessful.
1962: Starring in The Notorious Landlady and Home Purchase
In 1962, during the filming of 'The Notorious Landlady', Kim Novak discovered and purchased her future home near Big Sur, California.
1964: Starring in Of Human Bondage
In 1964, Kim Novak starred in 'Of Human Bondage', filmed in Ireland, which went over budget and failed.
1964: Release of Kiss Me, Stupid
In 1964, the sex comedy 'Kiss Me, Stupid', starring Kim Novak and Dean Martin, was released after facing problems with the Legion of Decency and received scathing reviews.
1965: Starring in The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders
In 1965, Kim Novak starred in the historical comedy 'The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders' in England with British actor Richard Johnson.
1966: Withdrawal from Acting
By 1966, Kim Novak withdrew from acting, choosing to work sporadically in films thereafter.
1966: Novak Leaves Hollywood for Big Sur
In 1966, Kim Novak left Hollywood and moved to Big Sur, California, where she focused on raising horses and painting, while occasionally acting in films.
1966: Departure from Eye of the Devil
In 1966, Kim Novak was cast in 'Eye of the Devil' but had to leave the film due to injuries sustained from a fall off a horse.
1968: Starring in The Legend of Lylah Clare
In 1968, Kim Novak starred in The Legend of Lylah Clare alongside Peter Finch and Ernest Borgnine, directed by Robert Aldrich, playing a dual role. She refused to do a German accent, and at the premiere, she discovered her voice had been dubbed by a German actress. The film was critically panned, and Novak regretted her role.
1969: Starring in The Great Bank Robbery
In 1969, Kim Novak starred in the Western comedy The Great Bank Robbery alongside Zero Mostel, Clint Walker, and Claude Akins. This marked the last film Novak made in the '60s.
1973: Return to the screen with Tales That Witness Madness and The Third Girl From the Left
In 1973, Kim Novak returned to the screen after a four-year break, taking part in two projects: the horror anthology film Tales That Witness Madness and the made-for-TV movie The Third Girl From the Left, where she starred as Las Vegas chorus girl Gloria Joyce, alongside her then-boyfriend Michael Brandon.
1975: Starring in Satan's Triangle
In 1975, Kim Novak starred in the ABC movie Satan's Triangle, intrigued by its supernatural story.
1977: Small role in The White Buffalo
In 1977, Kim Novak had a small role in The White Buffalo, a Western starring Charles Bronson.
1979: Playing Helga in Just a Gigolo
In 1979, Kim Novak played Helga in Just a Gigolo, opposite David Bowie. While the film was a flop, Novak was not blamed due to her minor role.
1980: Appearance in The Mirror Crack'd
In 1980, Kim Novak appeared in 'The Mirror Crack'd'.
1983: Acting in the television movie Malibu
In 1983, Kim Novak's acting credits included the ensemble television movie Malibu.
1984: Refusal to promote Vertigo
In 1984, Universal asked Kim Novak to make appearances at screenings of Vertigo, but she refused.
1985: Acting in The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents
In 1985, Kim Novak acted in the pilot episode of The New Alfred Hitchcock Presents.
1986: Appearing in Falcon Crest as Kit Marlowe
From 1986 to 1987, Kim Novak appeared in 19 episodes of Falcon Crest as the secretive "Kit Marlowe", a name she chose as it was the stage name Columbia had wanted her to use.
1986: Regular Role in Falcon Crest
From 1986 to 1987, Kim Novak had a regular role on the primetime series 'Falcon Crest'.
1987: Regular Role in Falcon Crest
From 1986 to 1987, Kim Novak had a regular role on the primetime series 'Falcon Crest'.
1987: Continuing role in Falcon Crest as Kit Marlowe
In 1987, Kim Novak continued her role in Falcon Crest as Kit Marlowe.
1989: Presenting at the 61st Academy Awards and Planning Autobiography
In 1989, Kim Novak appeared with James Stewart as a presenter at the 61st Academy Awards. She expressed openness to a comeback if the right script came along. At the same time, she declined movie offers and a second season of Falcon Crest to write her autobiography, tentatively titled Through My Eyes.
1990: Leading role in The Children
In 1990, Kim Novak returned to film with the leading role of Rose Sellers in The Children, opposite Ben Kingsley. The film premiered at the London Film Festival and received good reviews, but was later pulled from release due to disputes.
1991: Retirement from Acting
After a disappointing experience filming 'Liebestraum' in 1991, Kim Novak retired from acting.
1991: Starring in Liebestraum and Conflicts with Director
In 1991, Kim Novak starred in Liebestraum, directed by Mike Figgis. Novak's collaboration with Figgis was tense, leading to conflicts over the script and her role, causing her great pain and a sense of being manipulated.
1996: Vertigo Re-release and Appearances
In 1996, after Vertigo was restored and re-released to theaters, Kim Novak agreed to make appearances at screenings, reversing her previous refusal from 1984. She also participated in the documentary Obsessed with Vertigo.
1997: Golden Bear for Lifetime Achievement
In 1997, Kim Novak received the Golden Bear for Lifetime Achievement at the 47th Berlin International Film Festival, recognizing her career contributions.
2004: Appearance on Larry King Live
In 2004, Kim Novak appeared on Larry King Live, stating she would consider returning to the screen "if it was the right role."
2004: Citing Liebestraum as Reason for Retirement
In 2004, Kim Novak cited her difficult experience with Liebestraum as the primary reason for her decision to retire from the film industry.
2012: Handprint and footprint ceremony at Grauman's Chinese Theatre
In 2012, Kim Novak was honored with a handprint and footprint ceremony at Grauman's Chinese Theatre, solidifying her place in Hollywood history.
2015: Kristián Award at Febiofest and Art Exhibition
In 2015, Kim Novak attended the 22nd Febiofest international film festival, where she received the Kristián Award for her contribution to world cinema and had an exhibition of her paintings at the Strahov Monastery.
2015: Kristián Award at Febiofest
In 2015, Kim Novak's contribution to world cinema was acknowledged with the Kristián Award at the 22nd Febiofest international film festival.
2016: Toronto and San Francisco Symphony Performances
In 2016, Kim Novak hosted special screenings of Vertigo featuring live performances of Bernard Herrmann's score by members of the San Francisco Symphony at the Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall. Also, she was invited by Turner Classic Movies to be a guest on their Caribbean Cruise where she sold five of her paintings and was able to raise nearly $7,000 for the prevention of teenage suicide with the auction of a framed giclée of her.
October 2019: Retrospective at the Butler Institute of American Art
From June until October 2019, the Butler Institute of American Art in Youngstown, Ohio, hosted a retrospective of Kim Novak's artwork. Novak was present at the opening on June 16.
2021: Publication of "Kim Novak: Her Art and Life"
In 2021, the Butler Institute of American Art published a book titled "Kim Novak: Her Art and Life," featuring a selection of her paintings.
June 6, 2024: Present at opening of exhibition at Butler Institute
On June 6, 2024, Kim Novak attended the opening of an exhibition featuring her more recent artworks at the Butler Institute of American Art.
August 2024: Artwork on exhibit at the Butler Institute
From June through August 2024, more recent artworks by Kim Novak were on display at an exhibition at the Butler Institute of American Art.
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