Celebrity News
Actors of Color Who Played or Voiced Catwoman Before Zoe Kravitz
Zoe Kravitz is 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’sThe Batman, 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
Ryan Coogler, the acclaimed director of Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, has confirmed that Hollywood legend Denzel Washington will join the cast of Black Panther 3. This announcement came during Coogler’s appearance on the 7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony podcast, where he revealed that he has written a role specifically for the two-time Oscar winner, whom he regards as “the greatest living actor.”
Washington first hinted at his involvement in the Marvel project during a November 2024 interview on the Today show in Australia, generating excitement among fans. Coogler, who has long admired Washington, expressed his enthusiasm about their upcoming collaboration, noting their close relationship and Washington’s cultural significance. “Denzel is family at this point,” he said in the interview.
Although Marvel Studios has not officially announced Black Panther 3, the franchise’s success, having grossed over $2 billion globally from its first two films, makes a third installment a logical step. The film is still in early development, and while there is no confirmed release date, Coogler hinted that it’s “not long” away, potentially targeting a 2028 release following Avengers: Secret Wars.
Speculation about Washington’s role is abundant, with fans suggesting he could portray a new Wakandan character, a historical figure like Bashenga, or even a multiverse variant of T’Challa or T’Chaka. The emotional connection to the late Chadwick Boseman, who credited Washington’s mentorship for his career, adds significant weight to this casting choice.
Halle Berry and Van Hunt went public with their relationship in September 2020. After five years of dating, Hunt, a Grammy-winning musician, proposed to the Oscar-winning actress, but Berry has not yet accepted.
Berry’s decision to decline Hunt’s proposal, at least for now, stems primarily from her history with marriage. The actress has been married three times previously—to former MLB player David Justice (1993–1997), singer Eric Benét (2001–2005), and actor Olivier Martinez (2013–2016). She also shares a daughter, Nahla, 17, with ex-boyfriend Gabriel Aubry, and a son, Maceo, 11, with Martinez. Hunt has been married once and has a teenage son, Drake.
During the Today interview, Berry explained, “Well, I’ve been married three times. Van has been married once, and so no, we don’t feel like we have to get married to validate our love in any way. We don’t.”
While Berry has not accepted Hunt’s proposal, she has not ruled out marriage entirely. In the same interview, she expressed that she believes Hunt is the right partner for her, stating, “I think we will get married just because, out of the people I’ve been married to, this is the person I should have married.” She added that any future marriage would be a choice made out of desire for expression, not obligation, and hinted at a potential wedding “soon.”
Batwoman‘s star Javicia Leslie is engaged!
The 37-year-old shared the exciting news via Instagram earlier today with a caption that reads, “An answered prayer.”
According to his bio, Leslie’s now-fiancé, Nana-Yaw Asamoah, is a New York native and a sports and entertainment executive. He currently serves as the Chief Commercial Officer of AMB Sports and Entertainment.
While the couple’s romantic relationship has not been public until now, Leslie has been open about being bisexual. In fact, she is the first Black and queer woman to play the aforementioned DC’s superhero.
During an interview on E! News’ Daily Pop, the actress shared that her role in the CW series inspired her to come out to her mom. “For me, I never felt like I had to hide anything,” Leslie said. “That wasn’t really where I was coming from. I just hadn’t had a conversation, so I just wanted to talk to my mom about it because I was living my life. I just wanted to be able to talk to her so she didn’t have to be told through the media.”
According to the shared Instagram post, Asamoah proposed to Leslie in Napa Valley, at what appears to be a winery, in front of a beautiful mountain backdrop. Friends, family, and fans flooded the comment section with congratulations and best wishes to the couple. We are joining in as well!
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