Kim Novak: From Hollywood Starlet to Solitary Artist
A Hollywood Exit
Kim Novak, once one of the world’s top box office stars, made a dramatic exit from Hollywood over five decades ago. Opting for a quieter life, she relocated northward, first to Carmel, California, and later to Oregon, embracing a lifestyle devoted to art and nature. In a rare interview with PEOPLE, Novak revealed that her departure was a matter of personal survival, stating that the constant battle to maintain her identity in the glitz of Hollywood took a significant toll on her.
Struggles and Resilience
The star of classic films like “Vertigo” and “Pal Joey” shared that she had completed an autobiography, which was tragically lost in a house fire. Novak chose not to rewrite it, finding solace in the cathartic process of writing. Instead, she has shared her journey in a newly released book, “Kim Novak: Her Art and Life,” published by the Butler Museum of American Art. This book delves into her transformation from a film icon to an artist, recounting her struggles against industry pressures, including resisting studio head Harry Cohn’s demands to change her name and deny her Eastern European roots.
Personal and Professional Victories
Novak’s determination to retain her surname and embrace her heritage marked a significant victory over Hollywood’s controlling grip. Her book also explores her relationships, notably her controversial romance with Sammy Davis Jr., which defied the racial norms of the era. Novak reflects on the challenges of being perceived merely as a pretty face, a perception that led her to question her own identity.
Life in Oregon
In the Rogue River Valley of Oregon, Novak found solace in nature and art. Surrounded by the beauty of the Pacific Ocean and the companionship of animals, her lifelong love for art flourished. She credits her artistic pursuits and interaction with animals, including horses and llamas, as crucial to her personal healing and authenticity. Novak’s marriage to Robert Malloy, an equine veterinarian and her “soul mate” until his death in December, was a pivotal part of her new life.
Advocacy and Artistic Expression
Novak also opened up about living with bipolar disorder, advocating for openness and acceptance of mental health struggles. She emphasizes how her artistic expression intertwines with her mental health journey. Her reflections in her art book and interview invite us to view her not just as a film star, but as a multifaceted artist and the director of her own life’s narrative. Influenced by the likes of Alfred Hitchcock, her works encapsulate mystery and depth, traits she valued in her film roles and in her paintings.