What is Julie Andrews' Net Worth and Salary?
Julie Andrews is an English film and stage actress, singer, and dancer who has a net worth of $30 million. She initially gained recognition as a child actress in stage productions and later became one of the entertainment industry's leading stars. One of her most memorable roles was in "Mary Poppins," which earned her an Academy Award for Best Actress.
Julie continues to secure roles well into the modern era, establishing herself as a talented voice actress. She is celebrated not only for her acting but also for her singing abilities showcased in various musicals.
Early Life
Julia Elizabeth Wells was born on October 1, 1935, in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, England. Raised by Ted Wells, her real father was a family friend, a fact Julie discovered in 1950 and later revealed in her 2008 autobiography.
After her parents divorced following the onset of World War II, she briefly lived with Ted before moving in with her mother and stepfather in 1940. Although they lived in poverty, her stepfather, an alcoholic, and her mother, both rising stars in local theatre, believed they could help Julie succeed in the entertainment industry. Julie's early training included acting lessons and voice training with a prominent British soprano singer.
Theatrical Career
Julie Andrews began her stage career performing alongside her parents. Her stepfather introduced her to Val Parnell, a significant figure in London’s live performance scene. In 1947, she performed a professional solo at the London Hippodrome, followed by a performance before King George VI and Queen Elizabeth at the London Palladium in 1948.
She progressed in radio, television, and theatre productions in London's West End. Julie started her voice acting career in 1952, lending her voice to Princess Zeila in the Italian animated film "The Singing Princess."
Mary Poppins
By 1954, Julie was on Broadway, starting with the musical "The Boy Friend." She continued with "My Fair Lady" and starred in the made-for-TV film "High Tor." Her breakthrough came in 1963 with the title role in "Mary Poppins," a choice personally insisted upon by Walt Disney. The film became a massive box office success and won Julie an Academy Award for Best Actress.
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The Sound of Music
Julie followed her "Mary Poppins" success with "The Sound of Music" in 1965, another box office hit that remains one of the highest-grossing films in US history. She received several awards for her role, including a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination.
However, subsequent films "Star!" and "Darling Lili" did not perform well, leading Julie to focus more on television, including hosting her variety show from 1972 to 1973.
Victor/Victoria
In 1982, Julie starred in "Victor/Victoria," a commercial success that earned $30 million. She won a Golden Globe and received an Academy Award nomination for her role. Julie again starred in the Broadway adaptation in 1995, earning a Tony Award nomination, which she declined due to the production being otherwise snubbed.
Julie left the stage version of "Victor/Victoria" in 1997 due to a hoarse throat caused by non-cancerous throat nodules. A surgery to remove them permanently damaged her singing voice, leading to a lawsuit settled for an undisclosed amount.
She resumed acting in 2001, starring in "The Princess Diaries" and its sequel. Julie also found success in voice acting, with roles in "Shrek 2," "Despicable Me," and their respective sequels.
Relationships
Julie's first marriage was to Tony Walton, a set designer, from 1959 to 1967, with whom she had one child. In 1969, she married director Blake Edwards, and they remained together until his death in 2010, adopting two Vietnamese daughters during their marriage.
Real Estate
In 2012, Julie listed her Brentwood home for $2.649 million. She originally lived in this home, featuring cathedral ceilings, an artist's studio, and a swimming pool, with her late husband. The couple had purchased the property in 1989 for $1.2 million.
