Zoe Kravitzis the latest actor to take on the role of Catwoman, joining the list of other iconic stars who portrayed the character at some point in their career. She is starring opposite Robert Pattinson, who plays Bruce Wayne, aka Batman. The film is set to premiere this Friday.
In the upcoming DC’sTheBatman, a homicidal sociopath leaves a trail of secret codes, which forces Batman to venture into Gotham City’s criminal underground. As signs point closer to home and the extent of the suspect’s intentions become clear, the winged vigilante must forge social bonds to uncover the underlying cause, and deliver justice to the city’s long-standing history of abuse, power, and corruption.
The Batman marks Kravitz’s official entry into the ranks of actresses of color, who showcased their flexibility, talent, and feminine power in this role. Here are the other women of color who also played or voiced Catwoman.
Eartha Kitt (1967-1968)
Eartha Kitt was the first Black woman to play Selina Kyle. Once Julia Newmar left Batman after two seasons, Kitt took over as Catwoman and played her from 1967 to 1968.
Kitt made her television debut in the episode Catwoman’s Dressed To Kill on December 14, 1967, breaking a racial barrier in a role that lasted over 50 years.
Halle Berry (2004)
Iconic actress Halle Berry brought in a new rendition of Catwoman in 2004. Her version has a different narrative than the traditional Selina Kyle story.
Catwoman recounts the life of Patience Phillips (played by Berry), an introverted, graphic designer who won’t stop apologizing for her own presence. Phillips worked for Hedare Beauty, a high end cosmetic brand that was about to release a “groundbreaking” anti-aging product until she uncovers a dark secret about her employer that changes the course of her life forever.
Naya Rivera
The late actress Naya Rivera lent her voice to the character as her final acting role. In the Batman: The Long Halloween, Rivera appears in part one as the iconic Selina Kyle opposite Smallville’s Jensen Ackles as Bruce Wayne.
Before her tragic passing, Rivera shared she was honored to play Catwoman, during her interview with Entertainment Tonight. She said, “Every actress I’ve ever loved has played Catwoman in some shape or form.”
Cree Summer
Cree Summer is leading the next generation of superhero fans, as she plays Catwoman in DC Super Hero Girls.
Summer is a singer and actress, best known for playing as Winifred “Freddie” Brooks on the NBC series A Different World. She has also voiced a number of animated characters, such as Penny in the 1983 movie Inspector Gadget.
written by Betti Halsell, Hollywood Melanin staff writer
Singer and actress Cassie Ventura, known artistically as Cassie, announced her pregnancy on Wednesday. The announcement was shared via a touching social media post featuring a series of intimate photographs with husband Alex Fine and their two daughters, Frankie, 5, and Sunny, 3.
The “Me & U” singer began dating Fine shortly after her split from Sean “Diddy” Combs. They made their relationship Instagram official in December 2018. The couple announced their first pregnancy, got engaged, married, and welcomed their oldest daughter the following year. Their second child, Sunny, was born in March of 2021.
The most recent pregnancy announcement comes more than a year after the 38-year-old filed and subsequently settled a lawsuit against her ex, Diddy, alleging various forms of abuse during their relationship. Fine has been incredibly supportive of his wife during this time.
The soon-to-be father-of-three also expressed his excitement in a post captioned “Best gift I could ask for.” In his Instagram stories, he revealed that Cassie is six months pregnant.
Preacher and producer DeVon Franklin is engaged to his girlfriend, celebrity trainer, Maria Castillo.
Franklin, who announced his split from Meagan Good in December 2021, proposed to Castillo on a Hawaii holiday vacation.
“Finding Maria has been one of God’s greatest blessings in my life, so I wanted the proposal to be as special as our love,” he told PEOPLE magazine. “We went to Maui for vacation, I told her we were gonna do a photo shoot and during the photo shoot I surprised her with the proposal! It was truly a magical moment and I can’t wait to spend a magical life with Maria!”
The couple reportedly met a year ago when Castillo’s business partner, also Franklin’s friend, introduced them to one another. The two connected over their love for fitness and since that meeting, they’ve been inseparable.
See the gorgeous engagement photos below, courtesy of People magazine.
Viola Davis and Angela Bassett are set to take on roles that are not only groundbreaking but also reflect a vision of leadership that has been historically underrepresented. Both actresses, known for their extraordinary talents and impactful performances, will portray Black women presidents in two upcoming projects: “G20” and “Zero Day.”
Viola Davis in ‘G20’ on Prime
Viola Davis stars as President Danielle Sutton in the action-packed thriller “G20,” produced by Amazon MGM Studios. Set to premiere on Prime Video on April 10, 2025, “G20” unfolds during an international summit in Cape Town, South Africa, which is suddenly besieged by terrorists. Davis’s character, a former war hero elected on a liberal ticket, must use her military acumen and diplomatic skills to protect her family, her nation, and the world leaders in attendance.
Viola Davis in ‘G20.’
This film marks a significant moment as Davis, who has already achieved EGOT status, steps into a role that showcases her as a leader and an action hero. The story emphasizes her character’s resilience and strategic thinking under duress, offering viewers a thrilling yet grounded portrayal of a Black woman navigating the highest office during a crisis. The film’s director, Patricia Riggen, praised Davis for bringing an unprecedented depth to the role, turning her into a “weapon of mass destruction” in her efforts to combat the threats at the summit.
Angela Bassett in ‘Zero Day’on Netflix
Meanwhile, Angela Bassett takes on the role of President Evelyn Mitchell in Netflix’s “Zero Day,” a series that delves into the aftermath of a catastrophic cyberattack on the United States. Scheduled to stream from February 20, 2025, the film explores themes of technology, politics, and power, with Bassett’s character navigating the complexities of leading a nation in crisis. In “Zero Day,” the Commander-In-Chief teams up with a retired president, played by Robert De Niro, to unravel the truth behind an attack that claims thousands of lives.
Robert DeNiro and Angela Basset in ‘Zero Day’. Courtesy of Netflix
Bassett, known for her powerful performances in films like “What’s Love Got to Do with It” and “Black Panther,” brings a nuanced portrayal of the presidency, highlighting the challenges of leadership in a modern, tech-driven world. Her role in “Zero Day” is about commanding authority and the moral and ethical dilemmas that come with such power.