Background
DeCarlo was born Josette Dumont in France.
DeCarlo was born Josette Dumont in France.
Unable to have a conversation due to their language barrier, Dumont and DeCarlo communicated through his cartoons. In a later interview, Josie explained their early courtship, "We communicated with drawing..He would draw things for me to make me understand what he had in mind. He was really so amusing.
Instead of just using words, he would use cartoons to express himself.
Right away, we knew that we were meant for each other."
She became the inspiration for Josie and the Pussycats almost accidentally while the couple were taking a cruise. DeCarlo wore a cat suit costume during the cruise, which became the basis for the fictional Josie and the Pussycats trademark outfits.
She explained to the New York Times in 2001 interview, "We went on a Caribbean cruise, and I had a costume for the cruise, and that’s the way it started."
Josie first appeared in Archie Comics in 1962. While DeCarlo became the model for Josie, the character was voiced by actress Janet Waldo in the television series.
Dan DeCarlo died in 2001.
However, Josie DeCarlo remained active in the comic and animation industries following his death. She promoted her late husband"s work within the industry, particularly the Josie and the Pussycats brand during the 2000s. Josie DeCarlo died in her sleep on March 14, 2012, aged 88.
Her funeral was held in Scarsdale, New New York
She was survived by two grandchildren.
At the time of their meeting, Dumont did not speak any English, while DeCarlo, a member of the United States. Army during World World War II, spoke very little French.