Julie Newmar Had Son With Down Syndrome After 3 Miscarriages Who Teaches Her ‘Unconditional Love’ | “He Is My Teacher”

Julie Newmar well known for portraying the alluring Catwoman in the Batman series, is still remembered for her iconic role. But there’s another role she loves playing and wishes to be known for – the role of a mother. Fans watched as Newmar rose to new levels of stardom, but she also had some personal difficulties to face simultaneously. The actress claimed that before giving birth to her son, who she currently spends time with, she had three miscarriages. At the age of 48, when Newmar finally became a mother, she discovered that her son, John Jewl Smith, had Down syndrome. Raising her cherished child gave meaning to the actor’s life. Newmar confessed that she had to learn things she had never known before, per Esquire.

In an exclusive word with the outlet the actor shared, “He is my teacher. From him, I get and give unconditional love." The actor further disclosed that being a mother has been a blessing for her as she loves mothering her son, who brought about a different side of her that she was unaware of. According to Closer Weekly, Newmar loves her "adorable" only child, like any mother. 

While talking about her son in an interview, Newmar requested parents of kids with Down syndrome not to "feel like they have an afflicted child." She admitted having Smith in her life helped her a lot. Newmar loves spending quality time with her 42-year-old son as she posts about him and his fun pictures with herself on her social media platforms. "He's the cause of the great expansion of my outlook on life," the actress confessed. Despite having learning difficulties, Smith became an artist and displayed his work at an exhibition in California in 2016.

Newmar also said that it’s “very helpful” to have a child with Down syndrome. "He’s adorable. He lives with me, and he’s a wonderful artist. As a matter of fact, he now has an exhibit at the Washington Reid Gallery in Culver City [Calif.],” she told the outlet. Speaking about her son, the actor revealed the amount of compassion and love she learned from him, "He’s responsible for my understanding and practice of unconditional love.”

The actor who has also starred in classic hits among the fans like Star Trek and Bewitched, today loves every passing moment and lives it to the fullest with her loved one around. The 89-year-old actor also disclosed that she finds her son nothing short of a blessing. “John is what makes my life great,” Newmar told the outlet as she gushed about John.

References:

https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/interviews/a4014/julienewmar0108/

https://www.closerweekly.com/posts/julie-newmar-down-syndrome-son-exclusive-98781/

Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Frederick M. Brown