J. Holt Smith: Julie Newmar’s Ex-Husband – Bio, Marriage & Family

J. Holt Smith is an American attorney whose name became part of Hollywood history through his marriage to actress Julie Newmar. While Newmar was already a household name — famous for her role as Catwoman in the 1966 Batman television series — Smith lived a far more private life rooted in the legal profession.

The couple married on August 5, 1977, and their union lasted seven years before ending in divorce in 1984. Together they had one son, John Holt Smith Jr., whose birth would go on to shape Newmar’s life and advocacy work in profound ways.

Despite being connected to one of television’s most iconic actresses, Smith has kept an extremely low public profile. Very little verified information exists about his personal background, and he’s rarely spoken publicly about his marriage or family life. What we do know paints a picture of a working attorney who briefly crossed paths with the entertainment world before returning to a life away from the spotlight.

Early Life and Background

Who Is J. Holt Smith?

J. Holt Smith — also referred to as John Holt Smith in professional legal directories — is a Texas-based attorney. His exact date of birth hasn’t been confirmed through any verified public source. However, records show he was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1967, which means he’d completed both college and law school by that point. Based on the typical educational timeline, he was most likely born in the early-to-mid 1940s.

Beyond his legal career and his connection to Julie Newmar, very little has been documented about Smith’s upbringing, family background, or education. He doesn’t maintain a public social media presence, and he hasn’t given interviews about his personal history. This level of privacy isn’t unusual for someone outside the entertainment industry, but it does mean that much of what’s written about his early years remains unverified.

What’s clear is that by the mid-1960s, Smith had established himself as a licensed attorney in Texas — a career he appears to have maintained throughout his adult life.

J. Holt Smith and Julie Newmar

When Were J. Holt Smith and Julie Newmar Married?

J. Holt Smith and Julie Newmar married on August 5, 1977. At the time, Newmar was already well established in Hollywood. She’d earned fame as Catwoman on the ABC Batman series (1966–1967), had appeared in numerous films and Broadway productions, and was widely regarded as one of the most striking women in the entertainment industry.

Smith, by contrast, was a practicing attorney with no ties to show business. The pairing of a Texas lawyer and a Hollywood actress drew some attention, but the couple largely kept their relationship out of the tabloids.

Their marriage lasted until 1984, spanning roughly seven years. During that time, they had one child together and appeared to live a relatively private life compared to many celebrity marriages of that era.

Why Did J. Holt Smith and Julie Newmar Divorce?

The specific reasons behind the divorce haven’t been publicly disclosed by either party. Neither Smith nor Newmar has spoken in detail about what led to the end of their marriage, and court records from the proceedings aren’t readily available in the public domain.

What is known is that their divorce was finalized in 1984. Newmar has occasionally referenced her marriage in interviews over the years, but she’s generally focused those conversations on her son and her subsequent advocacy work rather than on the details of the split.

Without confirmed statements from either Smith or Newmar, any claims about the cause of their divorce would be speculation. Both parties moved on with their lives — Smith returning to relative anonymity and Newmar continuing her career in entertainment while raising their son.

Career as an Attorney

J. Holt Smith built his professional life in law. He was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1967, and records indicate he practiced as an attorney in the state.

Details about his specific area of legal practice, the firms he worked with, or any high-profile cases he may have handled aren’t well documented in publicly available sources. This isn’t surprising — the vast majority of practicing attorneys don’t generate media coverage unless they’re involved in cases that attract public attention.

What we can say with confidence is that Smith chose a career path grounded in the legal system, and he maintained that career independently of his connection to Newmar. His professional life appears to have been conducted entirely outside the entertainment industry, and he hasn’t leveraged his brief association with Hollywood fame for any public-facing ventures.

Children

J. Holt Smith and Julie Newmar had one son together: John Holt Smith Jr. Their son was born with Down syndrome, a diagnosis that would significantly shape Newmar’s life beyond acting.

After her son’s birth, Newmar became a committed advocate for individuals with disabilities and their families. She spoke openly about the challenges and rewards of raising a child with Down syndrome at a time when public conversation around developmental disabilities was far less open than it is today. Her advocacy helped bring greater awareness and understanding to the experiences of families in similar situations.

Newmar has spoken warmly about her son in interviews over the years, describing him as a source of immense love and purpose in her life. She’s credited motherhood — and specifically the experience of raising a child with special needs — as one of the most meaningful parts of her life.

Smith’s involvement in his son’s upbringing after the divorce hasn’t been publicly detailed. As with most aspects of his personal life, he’s chosen to stay out of the public conversation.

Where Is J. Holt Smith Now?

There’s very little current information available about J. Holt Smith. He doesn’t appear to be active on social media, hasn’t given recent interviews, and doesn’t maintain a visible public presence.

Given his age — he’s likely in his early 80s based on his 1967 bar admission — it’s reasonable to assume he’s either retired from legal practice or significantly scaled back his professional activities. However, without confirmed reporting, his current status remains unknown.

His ex-wife, Julie Newmar, has continued to be a public figure into her later years, making occasional appearances and remaining active in advocacy. Smith, true to form, has stayed entirely out of the spotlight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is J. Holt Smith?

J. Holt Smith is an American attorney who’s best known as the ex-husband of actress Julie Newmar. He was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1967 and practiced law throughout his career.

Was J. Holt Smith married to Julie Newmar?

Yes. Smith and Newmar married on August 5, 1977, and divorced in 1984. Newmar is famous for playing Catwoman in the 1966 Batman television series.

Did J. Holt Smith and Julie Newmar have children?

Yes, they have one son: John Holt Smith Jr. He was born with Down syndrome, and his birth inspired Newmar to become an advocate for individuals with disabilities and their families.

What does J. Holt Smith do for a living?

Smith is an attorney. He was admitted to the Texas Bar in 1967. Details about his specific legal practice or any firms he worked with aren’t widely documented in public sources.

How old is J. Holt Smith?

His exact date of birth hasn’t been confirmed. Based on his 1967 bar admission, he was most likely born in the early-to-mid 1940s, which would place him in his early 80s as of 2026.