Julie Harris was a renowned American actress, widely regarded as one of the finest classical and contemporary leading ladies of the 20th century. Born on December 2, 1925, in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, she was the daughter of William Pickett, an investment banker, and Elsie L. (née Smith) Harris, a nurse.
Harris's early interest in the performing arts was encouraged by her family, and she began her training at the Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts School & Camp in Colorado. She later attended the New York School of Drama and was one of the earliest members of the Acting Studio.
Harris made her Broadway debut in 1945 at the age of 19 in the comedy "It's a Gift." She went on to apprentice on Broadway for several years, appearing in various ensemble parts and short-lived plays. Her breakthrough role came in 1950 as Frankie Addams in the classic drama "The Member of the Wedding," opposite veteran actress Ethel Waters.
This performance earned her her first Tony Award nomination and launched her career as a leading lady. She went on to win five Tony Awards, a record that stood for over two decades. Harris's other notable stage roles include Sally Bowles in "I Am a Camera," Joan of Arc in "The Lark," and Emily Dickinson in "The Belle of Amherst."
Harris also had a successful film career, appearing in classic movies such as "East of Eden," "The Haunting," and "Reflections in a Golden Eye." She won three Emmy Awards and was nominated for 11, as well as receiving a Grammy and an Academy Award nomination.
In her later years, Harris continued to work in theatre, film, and television, earning critical acclaim and numerous awards for her performances. She was inducted into the American Theatre Hall of Fame in 1979 and received a National Medal of Arts in 1994.
Harris was married and divorced three times and had one son, Peter, who became a theatre critic. She died on August 24, 2013, at the age of 87, due to congestive heart failure.
