Vertigo Star Kim Novak Is Spending Her 91st Birthday with ‘Friends and Lots of Fudge’ (Exclusive)

Tuesday marks the 91st birthday for Kim Novak, the star of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1958 film Vertigo, who walked away from Hollywood over five decades ago.

“She’s spending her birthday having a picnic on her property with friends and lots of fudge,” says her longtime manager and close friend Sue Cameron.

Life is sweet these days for Novak, who lives quietly on the Oregon coast, surrounded by her beloved horses.

In honor of her 91st birthday, read on for an interview from 2021 in which Novak shared why she left Hollywood and found her true self.

Over 50 years ago, Kim Novak, the enigmatic star of Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo, walked away from Hollywood. The woman who had once been the No. 1 box office draw in the world put her belongings in a van and drove north, first to Carmel, California and then two decades later to Oregon, to live her life as an artist.

“I had to leave to survive,” she tells PEOPLE. “It was a survival issue.”

“I lost a sense of who I truly was and what I stood for,” says Novak in a rare interview to talk about her new book, Kim Novak : Her Art and Life. published by the Butler Museum of American Art.

“I fought all the time back in Hollywood to keep my identity so you do whatever you have to do to hold on to who you are and what you stand for,” she explains.

“I’ve never done one of those tell-all books that they wanted me to do for so long, and I thought this is the kind of book I’d like to do,” she says of her art book. “Actually, I had written my autobiography and it was almost complete but I had a house fire and the house burned down and I made no copies. I just couldn’t go through it again because I had spent so much time. But it was okay because it was a catharsis just to do it.”

After starring in Picnic (1955) with William Holden, The Man With the Golden Arm (1955) and Pal Joey (1957), opposite Frank Sinatra, and Vertigo, with Jimmy Stewart, Novak was at the height of her career but still under the control of the studio.

As she writes in her book’s introduction, “I was both dazzled and disturbed to see me being packaged as a Hollywood sex symbol. However, I did win my fight over identity. I wouldn’t allow [Columbia Pictures chief] Harry Cohn to take my bohemian roots away by denying me my family name. Novak. I stood my ground and won my first major battle.”

Cohn wanted her to change her name to Kit Marlowe, telling her that audiences would be turned off by her Eastern European roots. She refused. In the late ’50s, she defied him again when she began dating singer Sammy Davis Jr. against his wishes and she fought to live her life as an independent woman.

“There was constant pressure to be seen and not heard,” writes Novak, “especially if you had a pretty face.”

“In Hollywood a lot of people assume who you are, because of the character you play, but also just because of who they expect you to be, how they expect you to dress,” she says. “It influences you because if you’re in some gorgeous sequined gown, you can’t run along the ocean and run on the beaches.”

“I kept feeling like I was going deeper and deeper, lost in almost like a quicksand, where it’s swallowing you up, your own personality, and I’d started to wonder who I am,” she explains. “I realized needed to save myself.”

She found peace living and painting in the Rogue River Valley of Oregon and notes, “I needed the Pacific Ocean to inspire me, the animals, the beauty.”

“I wanted to live a normal life and a life with animals,” says the actress, who had always loved drawing and painting as a young girl growing up in Chicago. She was awarded two scholarships to the Chicago Art Institute before she was spotted by a talent scout on a trip to L.A. and her life changed course.

Once she left Hollywood, Novak returned to her twin passions: art and animals. “My teachers were the animals, not just dogs and cats, but other animals, horses and llamas, whom you have to meet half way, because they’re not ready to accept humans. I had to learn to win them over,” she says. “They understand a person who’s genuine so I had to become more real and that made me rely on my inner self — and that also encouraged me to paint. Everything seemed to flow from that.”

“You learn how to count on, not how you look, which is a big thing as a movie star, especially if you were recognized because of how you look,” she adds. “That can be a difficult thing when you change — but looks had nothing to do with it.”

She met second husband, Robert Malloy, an equine veterinarian, in the late ’70s, when he paid her a house call to treat one of her Arabian horses. She called him her “soul mate.” He died last December.

“I don’t feel 87,” says Novak. “I don’t keep tract of the time. If I did, I’d be an old lady and I’m not an old lady. I’m still riding my horse. I stay as healthy as I can.”

In 2012, Novak revealed she’d been living with bipolar disorder. “I don’t mind being open about who I am because these are all characteristics which make you who you are, especially as an artist,” she says. “Now, of course, I have medication for it but the best medicine of all is art.”

She’s proud of her favorite films, including Vertigo and Bell, Book and Candle (1958), and has fond memories, especially of her friend and costar Jimmy Stewart. Says Novak: “He didn’t let Hollywood change who he was.”

“People can remember me in movies but I want them to see me as an artist,” says Novak, whose paintings were exhibited at a 2019 retrospective at the Butler Museum in Youngstown, Ohio. “What’s great about painting is, you become the director too. No one’s telling you how to do it. You get to direct the whole thing.”

“I’ve been influenced a lot by Hitchcock in my work because he did mysteries and at first glance, I want my painting to be a mystery,” she says. “I love being the director, the producer, the actor in my paintings.”

“This is who I am. I want people to see I was not just a movie star.”

Looking back, Novak says, “I’m so glad I didn’t do the tell-all book, where you write all about your love life. That wasn’t who I was. This book tells who I am. I just needed to be free.”

Greedy Heirs Tried to Earn Favor with Grandpa to Inherit More, Their Jaws Dropped When the Lawyer Read the Will

“You always have room for one more,” his late wife would say with a gentle smile. Mr. Lewis believed in giving back and creating a life of meaning through acts of kindness.

But in his later years, the family that had once filled his home with joy grew distant. His children rarely visited, except when they needed something.

“Dad, it’s tough out there. Just need a little help,” his eldest son, Richard, would say, barely making eye contact before asking for money.

Olivia, his daughter, was no different. “Dad, the kids’ school fees are outrageous. Could you—” she’d start, and before long, he’d be reaching for his checkbook.

Even his grandchildren only came around during holidays, eyeing his home and wealth more than they ever looked at him.

When Mr. Lewis received his terminal diagnosis, he called his family to share the news. Within hours, they flocked to his mansion, putting on their best performances as the “devoted” children and grandchildren.

“We’re here for you now, Dad,” Richard said, patting his father on the shoulder with forced affection.

“We’ve got you, Grandpa,” echoed his teenage granddaughter, Willow, her eyes barely leaving her phone as she spoke.

For weeks, they hovered around him, offering tea they hadn’t brewed themselves and empty words they didn’t mean. Mr. Lewis saw through it all. They weren’t there out of love—they were there for the money. He was no fool, and though his heart ached, he knew exactly what was happening.

When Mr. Lewis finally passed away peacefully in his sleep, the family immediately shifted their focus to the inheritance. The day of the will reading, they packed into the lawyer’s office, eager to claim their share.

“I bet Dad left the most to me,” Olivia whispered smugly.

“Please,” Richard scoffed. “I’m the one with the business sense.”

But the bickering ceased when Mr. Alaric, the family lawyer, entered the room—accompanied by a quiet, 13-year-old girl none of them recognized.

“Who’s the kid?” Richard blurted out, his confidence fading.

“This,” Mr. Alaric announced, “is Harper. She’s here for the reading of the will.”

Confusion rippled through the room as the family exchanged puzzled looks. The lawyer’s next words left them speechless.

“Harper is the sole heir to Mr. Lewis’ entire estate.”

The room erupted into chaos. “What are you talking about?!” Richard shouted. “She’s just a kid! Dad would never do that.”

Olivia’s voice rose in disbelief. “This is absurd! We’re his family—his blood!”

Mr. Alaric raised his hand for silence. “I know this is a shock, but Mr. Lewis left a letter explaining his decision. Allow me to read it.”

The room fell silent, thick with tension, as the lawyer began.

Dear Family, the letter began, I know you’re probably confused, maybe even angry. But please hear me out. Over the past few years, Harper has been my greatest source of joy. She’s the little girl who lived next door. Long before any of you noticed, Harper saw that I wasn’t well. She’d see me struggling to get the mail or sitting alone on the porch.

Harper shifted uncomfortably as all eyes turned toward her, but she stayed quiet, her hands clasped.

Harper visited me every day. Not for money, not for favors. She came to share stories, play cards, or just sit with me. She made me feel less alone. In the years when I needed family the most, Harper was there.

Richard rolled his eyes. “We were busy living our lives, Dad. You should’ve told us you were lonely.”

Ignoring the interruption, Mr. Alaric continued reading.

What you don’t know is that Harper has her own battles to fight. A few months ago, she was diagnosed with a terminal illness—one no child should ever have to face. Despite her struggles, she’s remained a light in my life. She deserves the chance to live her dreams, no matter how short her time may be.

A stunned silence fell over the room as Mr. Lewis’ children absorbed the revelation. Even Olivia, who had been fuming moments earlier, sat quietly, tears welling in her eyes.

By the time you hear this, I’ll be gone. Harper may only have a year or two left, but I’ve made sure she has everything she needs to live those years to the fullest. Instead of fighting over my money, I hope you’ll support her in the way she supported me. Harper showed me love when none of you did. Remember: love is the greatest inheritance.

Mr. Alaric folded the letter, leaving the room heavy with the weight of Mr. Lewis’ words.

Harper stepped forward, her voice small but steady. “Mr. Lewis was my friend. I never wanted his money, just his stories and time.”

Richard cleared his throat, ashamed. “Harper, I’m sorry. We didn’t know…”

“I’m going to use the money to travel with my parents, eat ice cream for breakfast, and live as much as I can,” Harper said. “When I’m gone, the rest will go to other kids who are fighting like me.”

Tears streamed down Olivia’s face. “You’re so brave, Harper. I hope you get to do everything you dream of.”

Over the following months, Harper did just that. She visited the Eiffel Tower, dipped her toes in the ocean, and filled her days with laughter and love. When her time came, she passed away peacefully, surrounded by those she loved.

True to her wishes, the remainder of Mr. Lewis’ fortune was donated to charities that supported children with terminal illnesses, funding research and helping families in need.

Harper’s legacy became a symbol of the power of kindness and the impact of genuine connection. And for Mr. Lewis’ family, the lesson was clear: wealth isn’t measured by money, but by love. Harper had taught them all the true value of life.