Reclusive Vertigo star Kim Novak, 84, makes a rare public outing years after her appearance at 2014 Oscars ceremony sparked 'bullying' remarks about her looks
She lit up the silver screen during her heyday as one of Alfred Hitchcock's iconic blondes.
But after ruling the red carpet in the 1960s, Vertigo star Kim Novak's life is a very different story now.
The 84-year-old made a rare public appearance as she stepped out in Oregon this week - three years after her turn at the 2014 Oscars sparked 'bullying' remarks about her looks.
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Out and about: Reclusive former pin-up Kim Novak made a rare public appearance as she stepped out in Oregon this week
The blonde showed off her wrinkle-free complexion as she sported a red and black ensemble on a gentle stroll with a female friend.
Novakfaced harsh criticism following her stint on stage at Hollywood's glitziest bash, presenting awards alongside hunk Matthew McConaughey.
Fans were shocked at her dramatically changed appearance, which caused a stir on social media with trolls making fun of her and supporters jumping to her defence.
Nobody was more offended than the star herself who described the cruel remarks as 'bullying' - especially when they came from US President-to-be Donald Trump.
In an open letter released after she was bombarded with abuse, she said: 'It really did throw me into a tailspin and it hit me hard.
'I will no longer hold myself back from speaking out against bullies. We can't let people get away with affecting our lives.'
Now and then: The blonde showed off her wrinkle-free complexion on her outing this week. Right, in her Hollywood heyday in the 1958 film Vertigo
Outing: The veteran star sported a red and black ensemble on a stroll with a female friend
She went on to admit that she had undergone cosmetic procedures to boost her confidence - but the jibes had left her feeling like a 'teenager'.
'For days, I didn't leave the house, and it got to me like it gets kids and teenagers [who are attacked],' she continued. 'I'm not going to deny that I had fat injections in my face. They seemed far less invasive than a face lift. In my opinion, a person has a right to look as good as they can, and I feel better when I look better.'
Obviously feeling the burn of her response, Trump subsequently tweeted: 'I was always a big fan of Kim Novak and still am - a wonderful actress.'
The actress now lives a quiet life on her 240-acre ranch in southern Oregon with husband Robert Malloy.
Novak's breakthrough role came in 1955 when she portrayed Madge Owens in Picnic opposite William Holden.
But it was her turn in Hitchcock's 1958 thriller Vertigo which made Hollywood sit up and take notice.
Playing the female lead Madeleine alongside James Stewart, she has since proudly spoke out in defence of the film's iconic status, and that of its controversial director, who died in 1980.
Iconic: Kim's breakthrough role came in 1955 but it was in 1958's Vertigo alongside James Stewart which made Hollywood sit up and notice, albeit briefly
Getting along famously: Novak with Alfred Hitchock. Film bosses leaked she had a feud with the director to boost publicity for the movie but she slammed reports that he had acted inappropriately towards her on-set
Speaking about her relationship with Hitchcock - who film bosses claimed she had a feud with to boost publicity for the movie - she slammed reports that he had acted inappropriately towards her on-set.
In a candid interview with the Daily Telegraph in 2014, she said: 'I feel bad about all the stuff people are saying about him now, that he was a weird character. I did not find him to be weird at all. I never saw him make a pass at anybody or act strange to anybody.
'I didn’t find him controlling whatsoever. I found him a joy. But on how to interpret the character, he gave us complete freedom and trust.'
Explaining how she landed such a huge role despite only just starting out, she said she was lent out by Columbia studio boss Harry Cohn, with whom she was then under contract, to Paramount, the company behind Vertigo.
'Cohn said to me, "I don’t think this is going to be a good movie, but Alfred Hitchcock’s a good director, so I’ll let you do it." I was happy to get away from Columbia for a while, because he was such a tyrant.'
Dramatic difference: The outing comes three years after the actress surprised film fans with her appearance at the 2014 Academy Awards
On stage: Novak was criticised following her stint co-presenting with Matthew McConaughey at Hollywood's glitziest bash
She earned a Golden Globe Award for the role and was also nominated for a BAFTA.
Novak has also starred alongside the likes of Kirk Douglas and Elizabeth Taylor.
However, her star burned brightly and briefly, and she struggled to maintain the success she earned with Vertigo.
She appeared in a series of lacklustre roles before 'comeback' roles in the Eighties and Nineties. She last appeared on screen in an acting role in Liebestraum in 1991.
Novak has faced a series of health battles in recent years - in 2010 she revealed she had been diagnosed with breast cancer before revealing she was bipolar in 2012.
'I don't think I was ever cut out to have a Hollywood life,' Kim told The Los Angeles Times .
Instant icon: Kim's breakthrough role came in 1955 when she portrayed Madge Owens in Picnic opposite William Holden. After Vertigo, she struggled to keep up that momentum and took a series of lacklustre parts before a number of 'comeback roles' in the Eighties and Nineties
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