Skip to main content

Julie Andrews is an iconic actress who is well known for her beautiful singing voice as well as for the characters that she portrayed in classic Disney films. Even at the age of 84,

Andrews is still working, although she focuses the majority of her time and attention on writing. People all over the world love Julie Andrews and consider her to be a treasure — and especially adore how her genteel mannerisms mask a wicked sense of humor.

Read on to learn how Julie Andrews became famous, a few of her most popular roles, and why she particularly enjoys swear words.

When did Julie Andrews start acting?

Julie Andrews during an interview
Julie Andrews | Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank

Julie Andrews was born in 1935 and raised in London. At the age of ten, Andrews started working with a voice coach, who was stunned at the range and perfection of her singing voice.

Once everyone realized how incredible her voice was, Andrews began performing on stage with her parents, achieving acclaim all throughout England. When she was twelve, she played an unprecedented one-year run at the Hippodrome, wowing audiences with her solo performances.

Merely a year later, Andrews became the youngest solo performer to play a show in front of Queen Elizabeth and King George VI, when she appeared with other entertainers like Danny Kaye at the London Palladium.

As Andrews grew up, she continued to refine her craft, eventually branching out to acting. She made her Broadway debut in 1954 when she appeared in the play The Boy Friend. Following a successful run in that show, Andrews played Eliza Doolittle in the classic musical My Fair Lady.

From there, it was a short jump to television stardom. A few of the television shows that Andrews appeared in during the fifties and early sixties included The Jack Benny Program, The Ed Sullivan Show, and The Garry Moore Show

Julie Andrews starred in ‘Mary Poppins’ and ‘The Sound of Music’

In 1963, Andrews was cast in the film Mary Poppins. Ultimately, it would be one of her biggest films and one of the most revered Disney movies.  For her work in Mary Poppins, Andrews won the Academy Award for Best Actress and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress.

Following her appearance in Mary Poppins, Andrews became a box-office star, and after The Sound of Music was released in 1965, it only solidified her status as a superstar.

Over the next few years, Andrews would appear in a number of other popular films, including Thoroughly Modern Millie, The Americanization of Emily, and The Tamarind Seed. Throughout the eighties and nineties, Andrews took a step back from the spotlight, although she still appeared in projects from time to time.

She enjoyed a major career renaissance when she appeared in the hugely popular Disney films The Princess Diaries and The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement in the early 2000s. 

What is Julie Andrews’ favorite swear word?

Julie Andrews is now looked upon as a cultural icon, with generations of fans that grew up watching her movies and listening to her beautiful singing voice. Sadly, she lost her ability to sing after a botched surgery in the mid-90s, but that hasn’t stopped her from working hard even at an age when most entertainers have retired. Fans love her for her sassy and sweet demeanor, which was on full display during a recent appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show

During a lighthearted question and answer session, DeGeneres asked Andrews what her favorite curse word is and when the last time was that she used the word.

Without missing a beat, Andrews glanced at her watch to check the time and then said that she has a number of favorite curse words. Then, Andrews made a reference to the song “My Favorite Things” from The Sound of Music before ultimately saying that she couldn’t pick a favorite.

Still, when DeGeneres gave her a scenario, such as what her reaction would be if she slammed her finger in a car door, Andrews acquiesced and stated that the word she would use is probably a four-letter one beginning with “s.”