At 92, Julie Newmar Is Still Caring for Her Son—A Role She Has Embraced for 45 Years

Julie Newmar may be best remembered as the original Catwoman from the iconic 1960s television series Batman, but one of the most important roles of her life has never been played on a television screen.

At 92, Newmar continues to devote herself to caring for her son, John, who was born with Down syndrome.

When John was just 3 years old, he developed meningitis and lost his hearing. Determined to communicate with her son, Newmar enrolled in night school to learn sign language.

She went on to raise John as a single mother and remained his primary caregiver for more than four decades.

Over the years, Newmar worked to ensure that her son had opportunities to socialize and live as independently as possible. She found a deaf companion who could take John out during the day, while he also participates in a regular group for adults with disabilities.

But despite the support around him, Newmar has remained at the center of John’s life and care.

She has never described motherhood as a burden or portrayed her son as something she needed to overcome. Instead, she has spoken about raising John as one of the most meaningful and positive experiences of her life.

“Parents should never feel like they have an afflicted child,” Newmar has said.

Her perspective reflects a mother who has spent decades seeing her son not through a diagnosis, but as an individual deserving of love, opportunity and dignity.

At an age when many people might reasonably step away from demanding responsibilities, Newmar continues to be there for John.

She is now 92 years old, yet her commitment to her son remains unwavering.

For 45 years, she has made sure John has companionship, support and, most importantly, someone who will always be in his corner.

Millions of people knew Julie Newmar as Catwoman—a glamorous superhero figure who captivated audiences on television.

But away from the cameras, she has spent decades playing a very different role: mother, advocate and caregiver.

Her most enduring legacy may not be the character she portrayed on television.

It may be the life she built with her son.

She once played a superhero on television.

For 45 years, she has quietly been one in real life.

Source: Bright Side