Kim Novak paints with a dreamy, impressionistic style where unexpected symbols make their way into her work. “A goat showed up on one canvas, and I thought, ‘Where in the world is this goat coming from?’” the legendary star of Vertigo told Closer. Then Kim had a realization: Before they started dating, her future husband—who was a large-animal veterinarian—had treated one of her goats after it tried to munch on some wet cement.
Since the sudden passing of Robert Malloy, her husband of 44 years, in 2020, Kim, now 89, has turned to her art as a way to fill the void in her life. “Painting a picture of him felt like we could still communicate in a warm and intimate way,” she explains. “It made me feel less alone in this world.”
From Stardom to a Quiet Life
Kim Novak’s journey in Hollywood began when Columbia Pictures signed her as the next Rita Hayworth. She appeared in several frothy comedies, but it was her breakout role in the 1955 film Picnic, opposite William Holden, that truly put her on the map. Within a few years, Kim became a major box office draw, delivering acclaimed performances in Vertigo, Pal Joey, and her personal favorite, Middle of the Night.
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Stardom’s Stressful Side
But fame wasn’t all glitz and glamour for Kim. “Being a star was incredibly stressful,” she shares candidly. “Back then, critics could be brutal. You’d pour your heart into a movie, and they’d tear it apart. Now, I’m grateful that my work as an actress is appreciated, but it wasn’t always like that.”
A Bond Beyond Acting
When Kim met Bob Malloy in 1974, her life began to shift. By then, she was painting more and acting less. “I had been married once before [to Moll Flanders costar Richard Johnson], but being married to another actor just didn’t suit me,” Kim reflects. “Bob and I shared a deep love for animals, and that bond brought us together. He also had this fantastic sense of humor that lit up every room he entered.”
Life Without Bob
Losing Bob in November 2020 was a seismic shift for Kim. “I realized how much I didn’t know or fully appreciate the hard work my husband did behind the scenes,” she admits. “Suddenly, I had to handle all the business aspects of life, which was something I’d never had to deal with before. There are days when it’s hard not to feel sorry for myself, but I’m learning to push through.”
Healing Through Creativity
Kim has found solace in her art, which has become even more prolific since Bob’s passing. “I feel like he’s still with me, looking over my shoulder, smiling that gentle smile of his,” she says. “Creating art has been a way for me to communicate with him, even after he’s gone. It’s comforting to know he’s still a part of my world.”
Last year, Kim published a book of memories, artwork, and poetry titled Kim Novak: Her Life and Art. She’s also collaborating with French filmmakers on a documentary about her life, keeping her busy and inspired. “Life goes on, and so do I,” Kim says with a resilient smile.
—Louise A. Barile with reporting by Katie Bruno
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