Eartha Mae Kitt (January 17, 1927 -- December 25, 2008) was an American actress, singer and cabaret star. She was perhaps best known for her highly distinctive singing style and her 1953 hit Christmas song "Santa Baby". Orson Welles once called her the "most exciting woman in the world." She took over the role of Catwoman for the third season of the 1960s Batman television series, replacing Julie Newmar, who was unavailable for the final season."Santa Baby" was originally recorded by Eartha Kitt with Heri René and his orchestra in New York city on October 6, 1953. It was released by RCA Victor Records as catalog number 20-5502 (in USA)and by EMI on the His Master's Voice as catalog numer B 10728. The song was a huge hit for Kitt, and she later said that it was one of her favorite songs to record. A sequel, "This Year's Santa Baby", was recorded by Kitt in 1954, to no commercial success; Kitt also reprised the original song in a 1963 re-recording for Kapp Records, with a more uptempo arrangement.