How Old Was Julie Andrews When She Starred in ‘Mary Poppins’?

The magical nanny Mary Poppins floated into movie theaters in 1964, bringing delight to children and adults alike. But just how old was Julie Andrews when she starred in ‘Mary Poppins’?

Julie Andrews skyrocketed to international fame for her portrayal of the practically perfect Mary Poppins. With her cheery disposition, memorable songs, and magical adventures, Mary Poppins captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. And the musical talents and screen presence of Julie Andrews is a huge part of what made the film so successful.

At the time Mary Poppins debuted in theaters, Julie Andrews was 28 years old. Although Andrews was still a young actress, she brought an impressive resume of stage experience to the role.

Early Life and Career of Julie Andrews

Julie Andrews was born as Julia Elizabeth Wells on October 1, 1935 in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, England. She discovered her exceptional vocal talents at a young age, displaying a four-octave range by age 12.

Andrews caught the attention of musical theater impresarios, and made her stage debut in 1947’s West End production of the musical romance Starlight Roof. More stage roles followed as a teenager, including notable performances in the London productions of The Boy Friend and American musical The Boy Friend.

In 1954, Andrews made her Broadway debut, reprising her role as Polly Browne in the New York production of The Boy Friend. She received glowing praise from critics and theater-goers alike. Shortly after, Andrews was cast in the lead role of the Broadway production of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe’s musical My Fair Lady.

My Fair Lady became a smash-hit sensation, and Andrews won the Theatre World Award for her lauded performance. At age 19, she was the youngest artist ever to receive the honor. Propelled by her Broadway success, Andrews soon attracted the attention of Hollywood.

Becoming Mary Poppins

After starring in Broadway productions of Camelot and Cinderella, Andrews made her big-screen debut in 1964’s Mary Poppins. Walt Disney himself invited her to play the title role after seeing her dynamic stage presence and four-octave vocal range.

At 28 years old, Andrews brought poise and self-assurance to the character of Mary Poppins that likely couldn’t have been captured by a younger actress. Andrews’ maturity enabled her to believably embody the sensible, upright British nanny with a unique magical charm.

Though there was some skepticism that Andrews was too young to play the seemingly ageless character initially created by author P.L. Travers, she ultimately won over even the story’s creator with her performance. Andrews went on to receive critical acclaim for the role.

The runaway success of Mary Poppins cemented Andrews’ status as an international movie star. Her performance as the magical nanny remains widely considered the role that made her a Hollywood icon and household name.

Awards Success for Andrews and Mary Poppins Film

Mary Poppins dominated the 1964 Academy Awards. The musical blockbuster received a total of 13 Oscar nominations, taking home 5 statuettes.

Julie Andrews won the Oscar for Best Actress for her legendary performance as the titular character. At age 29, she became one of the youngest Best Actress winners in Oscar history.

In addition, Andrews also took home the 1964 Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy for Mary Poppins. Co-star Dick Van Dyke famously tripped going onstage to accept the award for Best Comedy Picture on behalf of the film’s creators.

Mary Poppins also nabbed Oscars for Best Visual Effects, Best Film Editing, Best Original Score, and Best Original Song for “Chim Chim Cher-ee.” The beloved musical warmed hearts around the world and became a cultural touchstone still treasured by children and adults today.

Continuing a Legendary Career

Andrews was only 28 when she first brought the magical nanny to life on the silver screen. But her maturity and stage experience enabled her to capture the poise and self-assurance of Mary Poppins.

After Mary Poppins dominated both the box office and awards season, Andrews cemented her status as one of the most popular and acclaimed actresses of the 1960s. She went on to star in more Hollywood musicals like The Sound of Music, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Victor/Victoria.

Now in her late 80s, Julie Andrews remains a beloved icon. Her portrayal of Mary Poppins is still considered one of the all-time great movie musical performances. Though decades have passed since Andrews first stepped into the shoes of the world’s most magical nanny, her brilliance in the role still captivates fans both old and new. I sincerely hope you reading this “How Old Was Julie Andrews When She Starred in ‘Mary Poppins’?” article.