8 classy facts about Julie Andrews
Image: 20th Century Fox
Is there a more beloved screen and stage actress than Julie Andrews? Born in Walton-on-Thames in 1935, Andrews has made undeniable contributions to both the stage and screen. With a resume dating back to her first stage show in 1945 and roles in classic films like Mary Poppins, The Sound of Music, Thorougly Modern Millie and Victor/Victoria, its crazy to believe that she's also a Dame and writer, currently starring in the educational kid's TV series Julie's Greenroom on Netflix.
What other fun facts might you not know about Julie Andrews? Read on to find out!
She was passed over for the role of Eliza Doolittle
Andrews was the first person to play the role in the first run of My Fair Lady on Broadway, and it helped her rise to prominence in the theater circuit, she was actually snubbed when it came to casting the film because producers wanted someone who was more well-known, so they opted for Audrey Hepburn. That same year, though, Andrews starred in Mary Poppins, and took home the Academy Award for Best Actress.
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That iconic mountain scene was tough to film
The scene in The Sound of Music when Maria is spinning on the mountaintop was filmed with a helicopter. Andrews has talked about how it took multiple takes because the wind from the helicopter was so strong that it kept knocking her down.
Image: 20th Century Fox / Giphy
She almost didn’t take the part as Maria
Out of fear that she’d be typecast as only being able to play nanny roles after being in Mary Poppins as well, Andrews almost didn’t accept the role that she’s most known for. Richard Rogers wanted her right off the bat, but she took some convincing. If she hadn’t taken the role, it would have gone to Grace Kelly or Doris Day.
Image: 20th Century Fox
She has a rose named after her
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that one of the most elegant women has one of the most elegant flowers named after her. The Julie Andrews rose is an orange-pink shade and it was named after her in 1992, at the Chelsea Flower Show. This was in honor of her role as a flower seller in My Fair Lady.
Image: rareroses.com / Pinterest
She’s an EGO winner
It seems weird that the only award Andrews is missing is the Tony, doesn’t it? In 1996, she was actually nominated for her role as Victoria in the Victor/Victoria stage production. However, she felt that the rest of the cast and crew didn’t get the recognition they deserved, so she turned down the nomination.
Image: AP Photo
She lost her voice in the '90s
While we don’t doubt there was some natural talent there, Andrews is a classically trained soprano, having begun formal voice lessons before she was even 10 years old. In fact, when her parents brought her to the doctor as a child, the doctor told them that she had an “almost-adult larynx,” which contributed to her strong voice. However, in 1997, she developed nodules on her throat and went into surgery for a routine procedure that was supposed to allow her to continue singing six weeks later. However, her vocal cords were permanently damaged and she was unable to return to the stage.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
'My Fair Lady' has come full-circle
Though Andrews can’t sing professionally anymore, it hasn’t stopped her from staying involved in the theater community. In 2016, she directed the 60th anniversary production of My Fair Lady at the Sydney Opera House.
She and Carol Burnett are BFFs
Burnett is even the godmother of Andrews’ first daughter, Emma.
Image: YouTube