âVertigoâ star Kim Novak was honored with the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement on September 1 at the Venice Film Festival, a radiant return to the spotlight after decades away from Hollywood.
At 92, the actress was greeted with a standing ovation before filmmaker Guillermo del Toro delivered a moving tribute.
Novak Looks Gorgeous In Venice While Accepting ‘Golden Lion’
She looked stunning. At 92, Novak radiated elegance and timeless grace as she took the stage of the Sala Grande to accept the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement from Venice Film Festival director Alberto Barbera and filmmaker Guillermo del Toro.
The honor comes nearly three decades after she was recognized in Berlin in 1997, but this one carried a deeper meaning for her.
âThose gods up there, not one in particular but all of them, have made my life truly special, and being here is an absolute privilege,â Novak said.
Novak’s Legendary Career
Novak first captured global fame in the 1950s and â60s, becoming one of the eraâs most bankable stars.
Her career highlights include Joshua Loganâs Picnic (1955), Otto Premingerâs The Man with the Golden Arm (1955), George Sidneyâs Pal Joey (1957), and Alfred Hitchcockâs Vertigo (1958), where she delivered her defining performance in dual roles.
A Rare Return to the Spotlight After Decades
Novak was first spotted when she made a rare and heartwarming appearance in Venice on August 28, just days before the official ceremony, turning heads on the red carpet at the festivalâs 81st edition. It was her first major public outing in more than a decade.
The actress, who left Hollywood in 1966 to build a quieter life in Oregon, looked radiant as she accepted the recognition of her remarkable career.
The Golden Lion honor not only celebrates her lasting impact on cinema but also her choice to live authentically and on her own terms.
When Novak Reflected on Leaving Hollywood
In a recent interview with The New York Times, Novak shared how leaving the entertainment industry gave her freedom. âWhen I left Hollywood, it isnât like I just wrapped up my life,â she explained. âSuddenly I was free to express everything on canvas and not have to be the canvas.â
She has been candid in the past about the struggles she faced during her acting years. âI had to leave to survive,â she told People in 2021. âI lost a sense of who I truly was and what I stood for. I fought all the time back in Hollywood to keep my identity.â
Alongside the Golden Lion ceremony, Venice also premiered âKim Novakâs Vertigo,â a documentary produced by her longtime manager Sue Cameron and directed by Alexandre Philippe. The project, in development for over 15 years, chronicles her life and legacy, including her childhood struggles, her rise to stardom, and her decision to step away from fame.
By the 1980s, Novak devoted herself to painting and caring for animals at her home in Oregonâs Rogue River Valley. âI needed the Pacific Ocean to inspire me, the animals, the beauty,â she told People.
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