Kim Novak
Biography
Kim Novak is an American retired film and television actress. Born on February 13, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois, she began her acting career in 1954 after signing with Columbia Pictures. Novak is known for her starring roles in several films, including Picnic, The Man with the Golden Arm, Pal Joey, and Alfred Hitchcock's thriller Vertigo. She was popular in box office polls and worked with top leading men of the era. Novak has a total of 68 known credits in her acting career.
Career overview
Kim Novak began her acting career in 1954 after signing with Columbia Pictures. She quickly gained success, starring in a string of movies including the critically acclaimed Picnic in 1955. Her subsequent performances in films such as The Man with the Golden Arm and Pal Joey further solidified her position as a popular actress of the era.
One of Novak's most notable roles is in the classic thriller Vertigo, where she played dual roles as Judy Barton and Madeleine Elster. Her performances in these films demonstrate her versatility as an actress and her ability to take on a wide range of roles.
Throughout her career, Novak starred opposite several top leading men of the era, contributing to her popularity in box office polls. Her body of work consists of 68 known credits, showcasing her extensive experience in the film industry.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Kim Novak.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- Proust Palimpsesto: Pastiches e Misturas (2026) as Madeleine Elster (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Kim Novak's Vertigo (2025) as Self
- Kim Novak: Hollywood's Golden Age Rebel (2023) as Self - Portrait Subject & Interviewee
- Rat Pack (2022) as Self (archive footage)
- Sammy by Sammy: My Tale of the 60's (2022) as Self (archive footage)
- I Am Alfred Hitchcock (2021) as Self (archive footage)
- Sammy Davis, Jr.: I've Gotta Be Me (2017) as Self
- Made in Hollywood: Hitchcocks Blondinen (2016) as Self
- Kim Novak: Live from the TCM Classic Film Festival (2013)
- Stardust Hollywood - Sternenstaub und Götterwelten (2013) as Self (archive footage)
- Hollywood sul Tevere (2009)
- To Each His Own Cinema (2007) as Self (segment "47 Ans Après") (archive footage)
- Jenseits von Hollywood – Das Kino des Otto Preminger (2006) as Herself
- Hollywood Legenden (2004) as Self
- Heart of the Festival (2002) as Self (archive footage)
- Bride of Trailer Camp (2001) as (archive footage)
- Obsessed with Vertigo (1997) as Self
- Dark Galaxy (1993) as (archive footage)
- Liebestraum (1991) as Lillian Anderson Munnsen
- Preminger: Anatomy of a Filmmaker (1991) as Molly (archive footage) (uncredited)
- The Children (1990) as Rose Sellars
- Rita Hayworth: Dancing Into the Dream (1990) as Self
- Hollywood Out-takes and Rare Footage (1983) as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- Malibu (1983) as Billie Farnsworth
- Falcon Crest (1981) as Kit Marlowe
- The Mirror Crack'd (1980) as Lola Brewster
- Just a Gigolo (1978) as Helga von Kaiserling
- Please Turn the Page (1977) as Self
- The White Buffalo (1977) as Poker Jenny Schermerhorn
- Satan's Triangle (1975) as Eva
- Tales That Witness Madness (1973) as Auriol (segment "Luau")
- The Third Girl from the Left (1973) as Gloria Joyce
- V.I.P. Schaukel (1971) as Self
- The Great Bank Robbery (1969) as Sister Lyda Kebanov (forger)
- The Legend of Lylah Clare (1968) as Lylah Clare / Elsa Brinkmann / Elsa Campbell
- Lionpower from MGM (1967) as Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
- The Amorous Adventures of Moll Flanders (1965) as Moll Flanders
- Kiss Me, Stupid (1964) as Polly the Pistol
- Of Human Bondage (1964) as Mildred Rogers
- MGM 40th Anniversary (1964)
- The Notorious Landlady (1962) as Carly Hardwicke
- The Notorious Landlady (1962) Costume Design
- Boys' Night Out (1962) as Cathy
- Boys' Night Out (1962) Co-Costume Designer
- Strangers When We Meet (1960) as Margaret 'Maggie' Gault
- Pepe (1960) as Kim Novak
- Stars in the Ring (1959) as Self
- Middle of the Night (1959) as Betty Preisser
- Vertigo (1958) as Madeleine Elster / Judy Barton
- Bell, Book and Candle (1958) as Gillian Holroyd
- The All-Star Christmas Show (1958) as Self
- Pal Joey (1957) as Linda English
- Jeanne Eagels (1957) as Jeanne Eagels
- The Steve Allen Show (1956) as Self
- Cinépanorama (1956) as Self
- The Eddy Duchin Story (1956) as Marjorie Oelrichs Duchin
- The Man with the Golden Arm (1955) as Molly
- Picnic (1955) as Madge Owens
- Son of Sinbad (1955) as Harem Girl
- 5 Against the House (1955) as Kay Greylek
- Reflets de Cannes (1954) as Self
- Pushover (1954) as Lona McLane
- Phffft (1954) as Janis
- The French Line (1954) as Model (uncredited)
- A Star Is Born World Premiere (1954) as Self
- The Oscars (1953) as Self
- What's My Line? (1950) as Self
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1948) as Self
- The Fall: Part I as Self
- The Fall: Part II as Self