A History of Mental Illness
When the Depression hit, Kim’s father lost his post teaching history and took a job as a railroad freight dispatcher. Joseph was a stern and troubled man, and growing up, Kim had a complex relationship with him. Later in life, she revealed that her father suffered from bipolar disorder and had a family history of mental illness that was untreated until the emergence of effective antipsychotics.
Kim Novak, Blanch Novak, Joseph Novak. Source: Chicago Tribune
Young Marilyn Novak attended William Penn Elementary and Farragut High School before graduating to Wright Junior College. She then was awarded two scholarships to SAIC: the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Hoping to help her overcome her shyness, Novak’s mother signed her up to the youth group, Fair Teen Club.