Julie Andrews

October 1, 2024

Fast Facts
Background
Career Timeline
Why We Love
Surprising Facts
FAQs

Dame Julie Andrews, born October 1, 1935, is an English actress who has enjoyed great success in the industry. She has received numerous accolades during this time, including two Primetime Emmy Awards, an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, six Golden Globe Awards, and three Grammy Awards. Andrews was also made a Disney Legend in the early ’90s.

Fast Facts

Full Name:

Dame Julie Andrews

Nickname:

Jules

Birth date:

October 1, 1935

Age:

Zodiac Sign:

Libra

Height:

5' 8"

Relationship Status:

Single

Net Worth:

$30 million

Background

Julia Elizabeth Wells was born in Surrey, England. Her mother’s name was Barbara Ward Wells (1910–1984) and her foster father was Edward Charles Wells a.k.a. Ted (1908–1984). He worked as a metalwork and woodwork teacher. Andrews was born as a result of an affair her mother had outside their marriage. This information was not publicly disclosed until her 2008 autobiography. Barbara and Edward divorced when World War II started. They both remarried years later — Barbara to Ted Andrews and Edward to Winifred Maud Birkhead.

Andrews lived briefly with Edward Wells and her brother in Surrey. In 1940, Edward sent her to live with her mother and stepfather, believing that Barbara could better provide for her daughter. The family lived in a bad slum area of London. According to Andrews, the war was a very dark period in her life. Her stepfather was violent and an alcoholic.

As the war ended, their family could afford a better living environment. They first moved to Beckenham and later to Hersham. Andrews’ stepfather sponsored her talent lessons, first at the Cone-Ripman School (ArtsEd), and thereafter with voice instructor Madame Lilian Stiles-Allen. Several months later, her stepfather introduced her to managing director Val Parnell. Andrews made her professional solo debut at the London Hippodrome on October 22, 1947.

Career timeline

1947

The Solo Music Debut

Andrews sings as part of a musical called Starlight Roof.

1948

The Performs For King George VI

Andrews becomes the youngest solo performer to be seen in a Royal Variety Performance before King George VI.

1982

The Golden Globe Award

Andrews’ performance in the film “Victor/Victoria” earns her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress.

2000

The Dame Commander Award

Andrews is made a Dame Commander of the British Empire and receives an award from Queen Elizabeth II.

Why We Love Julie Andrews

She is talented
Andrews has a good singing voice. She is also very talented in acting.
She loves kids
Andrews loves kids. She even adopted two girls with her late second husband, Blake Edwards.
She is a positive person
Andrews experienced throat problems while singing. She was operated on and lost her ability to sing — despite this, Andrews still has a smile on her face.

5 Surprising Facts

She discovered her dad at 14
Andrews only discovered who her real dad was when she was a teen.
Her last name isn’t Andrews
Her real name is Julia Elizabeth Wells.
Her stepfather was an alcoholic
Andrews was raised by a violent alcoholic stepfather, forcing her to install a lock on her room door.
She adopted two girls
Andrews and her late second husband, Blake Edwards adopted two daughters shortly after they married.
Her father was a war hero
Ted Wells, who raised Andrews, helped to evacuate children during the Blitz in World War II.