Julie Walters: Biography, Life Story, Actress (2024)

Julie Walters: Biography, Life Story, Actress (1)

Julie Walters’s biography tells the life story of a Birmingham-born talent whose warmth and versatility have made her one of Britain’s most beloved actors. Starting as a nurse trainee, Walters’s path took a dramatic turn when she pursued acting, leading to iconic roles in films like Educating Rita, Billy Elliot, and Harry Potter. Her success story is not just about fame but about bringing humor and depth to each character, connecting with audiences in a familiar and fresh way.

Table of Contents

Biography Summary

Dame Julia Mary Walters, born on February 22, 1950, and widely recognized as Julie Walters, is a celebrated English actress. Her acclaimed career has won numerous awards, including four British Academy Television Awards, two British Academy Film Awards, two International Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe, and an Olivier Award.

Major Film and Television Achievements

Throughout her career, Walters has been nominated for two Academy Awards: one for Best Actress and another for Best Supporting Actress. In recognition of her achievements, she received the BAFTA Fellowship for lifetime contributions to the arts in 2014. In 2017, Queen Elizabeth II honored Walters as a Dame (DBE) for her contributions to drama.

Her breakthrough role came in 1983 with Educating Rita, where she played the title character, having originated the role in the West End play. Walters’s impressive filmography includes performances in Personal Services (1987), Prick Up Your Ears (1987), Buster (1988), Stepping Out (1991), Sister My Sister (1994), Girls’ Night (1998), Titanic Town (1998), Billy Elliot (2000), and seven of the eight Harry Potter films (2001–2011). Other notable films include Calendar Girls (2003), Becoming Jane (2007), Mamma Mia! (2008) and its 2018 sequel, Brave (2012), Paddington (2014) and its 2017 sequel, Brooklyn (2015), Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool (2017), and Mary Poppins Returns (2018). Walters won an Olivier Award for Best Actress in the 2001 revival of All My Sons on stage.

Memorable Television Roles and Recognitions

Walters frequently collaborated with comedian Victoria Wood on popular television projects, including Wood and Walters (1981), Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV (1985–1987), Pat and Margaret (1994), and dinnerladies (1998–2000). She holds the record for the most British Academy Television Awards for Best Actress, winning four times for roles in My Beautiful Son (2001), Murder (2002), The Canterbury Tales (2003), and Mo (2010). Walters and Helen Mirren are the only actresses to have won the award three times in a row. Walters is also tied with Judi Dench for the most nominations in this category, with seven total. Additionally, Walters is the only actress to have won the International Emmy Award for Best Actress twice, and she was recognized for her roles in A Short Stay in Switzerland (2009) and Mo (2010).

In 2006, the British public ranked Walters fourth in ITV’s poll of TV’s 50 Greatest Stars.

Early Life

Julie Walters, born Julia Mary Walters on February 22, 1950, at St Chad’s Hospital in Edgbaston, Birmingham, England, was raised in a family with rich cultural roots. Her mother, Mary Bridget (née O’Brien), an Irish Catholic postal clerk from County Mayo, and her father, Thomas Walters, an English builder, shaped her early years. Walters’s maternal ancestors were involved in the Irish Land War of the 19th century, a detail revealed in the BBC genealogy series Who Do You Think You Are? Her paternal grandfather, Thomas Walters, served in the Second Boer War and was later killed in World War I in June 1915 while serving with the Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He is commemorated at the Le Touret Memorial in France.

Growing up, Walters lived with her family on Bishopton Road in the Bearwood area of Smethwick. She was the youngest of five children and the third to survive birth. Walters attended St Paul’s School for Girls in Edgbaston and later Holly Lodge Grammar School for Girls in Smethwick. Recalling her time at school, Walters described it as “heaven” to attend an ordinary grammar school, though she left at the end of her lower sixth due to what she called “high jinks.”1

In an interview with Alison Oddey, Walters reflected on her early schooling, noting that she never felt academic and was encouraged by her mother to consider teaching or nursing.2 After leaving school, she briefly worked in insurance at age 15.3 At 18, Walters trained as a student nurse at Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital, gaining experience in ophthalmic, casualty, and coronary care wards over 18 months. Realizing nursing wasn’t her calling, she decided to pursue acting and enrolled at the newly founded Manchester Polytechnic School of Theatre (now the Manchester School of Theatre).

Walters soon joined the Everyman Theatre Company in Liverpool, performing alongside future stars like Bill Nighy, Pete Postlethwaite, Jonathan Pryce, and notable writers such as Willy Russell and Alan Bleasdale, marking the start of her professional acting journey.4

Career

1971–1979: Early Career and Collaboration with Victoria Wood

Julie Walters began her career alongside comedian Victoria Wood, whom she first met in 1971 at the Manchester School of Theatre. Their partnership took off with the 1978 theater revue In at the Death and continued with a televised version of Wood’s play Talent. By 1981, the pair starred in their own Granada Television series, Wood and Walters. Their ongoing collaboration gained further recognition with the BAFTA-winning BBC series Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV, where Walters’s portrayal of the character Mrs. Overall in the soap parody Acorn Antiques became especially memorable. Walters later reprised this role in a musical adaptation, earning an Olivier Award nomination for her performance.

1980–1989: Breakthrough with Educating Rita and Other Notable Roles

In 1982, Walters gained attention for her television role in Alan Bleasdale’s Boys from the Blackstuff. However, her major breakthrough came with the 1983 film Educating Rita, where she starred opposite Michael Caine. Walters originated the role of Susan “Rita” White, a working-class hairdresser striving to improve her life through an Open University course in English literature, in Willy Russell’s 1980 West End play.5 Her portrayal in the film earned her the BAFTA Award for Best Actress, the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture Musical/Comedy, and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.

During this period, Walters also showcased her comedic talent through various monologues, including The Green Tie on the Little Yellow Dog, broadcast by Channel 4 in 1983. In 1985, she took on the role of Pauline Mole, Adrian Mole’s mother, in the television adaptation of The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole. Walters continued her film career with Personal Services (1987), where she played Cynthia Payne, a British brothel owner, and then starred alongside Phil Collins in Buster (1988), portraying June, the lead character’s wife. In 1989, she appeared as Mrs. Peachum in Mack the Knife, the film adaptation of The Threepenny Opera.

1991–1999: Solo TV Show and dinnerladies

In 1991, Julie Walters starred alongside Liza Minnelli in the film Stepping Out and appeared in her own television special, Julie Walters and Friends. This one-off special featured writing from Victoria Wood, Alan Bennett, Willy Russell, and Alan Bleasdale, all of whom had collaborated with Walters in her earlier career.

In 1993, Walters starred in the television film Wide-Eyed and Legless (released internationally as The Wedding Gift) alongside Jim Broadbent and Thora Hird. Based on Deric Longden’s book, the film portrays the final years of Longden’s marriage to his wife, Diana, who was afflicted by a degenerative illness, now believed to be a form of chronic fatigue syndrome or myalgic encephalomyelitis.

In 1998, Walters brought a touch of magic to the ITV pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk as the Fairy Godmother. She also joined Victoria Wood’s BBC sitcom dinnerladies, playing the role of Petula Gordeno from 1998 to 2000. During this time, she became recognizable to many British viewers through a series of advertisements for Bisto gravy.

2000–2009: Harry Potter, Mamma Mia! and Writing Ventures

In 2001, Julie Walters won a Laurence Olivier Award for her performance in Arthur Miller’s All My Sons. That same year, she garnered a second Oscar nomination and received a BAFTA for her role as the supportive ballet teacher in Billy Elliot (2000). In 2002, she won another BAFTA Television Award for Best Actress for portraying Paul Reiser’s mother in My Beautiful Son.

Walters joined the Harry Potter film series as Molly Weasley, the beloved matriarch of the Weasley family, appearing in all but Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Her role as Molly Weasley was so well-regarded that, in 2003, the BBC recognized her portrayal as the “second-best screen mother.”6

In Calendar Girls (2003), Walters played Annie Clark, a widow aiming to create something meaningful following her husband’s death. In 2005, she took on another real-life role as Marie Stubbs in the ITV drama Ahead of the Class. In 2006, she was ranked fourth in ITV’s public poll of the 50 Greatest Stars, notably surpassing frequent co-star Victoria Wood. That year, she also appeared in Driving Lessons with Rupert Grint, who played her son in the Harry Potter films and starred in the BBC’s adaptation of Philip Pullman’s The Ruby in the Smoke.

When I think of the future, I think of doing my washing so I’ve something to wear tomorrow.

Julie Walters

Expanding her creative endeavors, Walters published her first novel, Maggie’s Tree, in 2006, a psychological drama centered on a group of English actors in Manhattan. Reviewers noted her work’s insight into the complexities of the human mind, drawing from her experiences as an actress.7 That same year, she starred in advertisements for Asda’s Christmas campaign and appeared with Patrick Stewart in UK commercials for Nintendo DS’s Brain Training and in public service films on smoke alarms. Walters also featured in the 2008 film version of Mamma Mia!, where she portrayed Rosie Mulligan, marking her second musical role following Acorn Antiques: The Musical! She also published her autobiography, That’s Another Story, in 2008.

In 2007, Walters starred as Jane Austen’s mother in Becoming Jane, opposite Anne Hathaway. The following year, she played Mary Whitehouse in the BBC’s Filth: The Mary Whitehouse Story, which depicts Whitehouse’s campaign for “taste and decency on television.” Walters expressed excitement about portraying Whitehouse and exploring her efforts to challenge the BBC.8 The film earned the Best Motion Picture Made for Television award, and Walters was nominated for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television at the 13th Annual Satellite Awards.

In 2009, Walters was honored with a star on the Birmingham Walk of Stars on Broad Street, a tribute to her roots in the West Midlands. She reflected on the honor, expressing pride in being recognized in the area that shaped her identity.9 Additionally, she won an International Emmy for her role in A Short Stay in Switzerland.

2010–2019: Independent Films and Notable Supporting Roles

In 2010, Julie Walters starred as the late MP and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Mo Mowlam, in Channel 4’s drama Mo. Although initially hesitant due to physical differences between herself and Mowlam,10 Walters delivered a performance that critics widely praised.11

In 2012, Walters appeared as Mistress Quickly in The Hollow Crown, a BBC Two adaptation of Henry IV, Parts I and II. That same year, she also lent her voice to the Witch in Pixar’s animated film Brave. Walters collaborated with LV= (Liverpool Victoria) to promote a life insurance product targeted at those over 50, appearing in various ads and on the LV.com website to raise awareness.12

Walters took to the stage in The Last of the Haussmans at the Royal National Theatre in 2012, with the production broadcast globally as part of National Theatre Live. On November 18, 2012, she joined the 60th-anniversary performance of Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap in London’s West End, marking her contribution to the world’s longest-running play.

I don’t like the future sewn up. I like an open book – the feeling that anything can happen.

Julie Walters

In 2014, Walters charmed audiences as Mrs. Bird, the Browns’ housekeeper, in Paddington, a film that received critical acclaim. She returned to this role in Paddington 2 (2017), which was also met with universal praise. Alongside the film’s release, Walters designed a “Primrose”-themed Paddington Bear statue placed in Primrose Hill as part of a fundraising auction for the NSPCC.

In 2015, Walters starred as Cynthia Coffin in Indian Summers, a ten-part British drama on Channel 4. That same year, she appeared in the romantic drama Brooklyn and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. Walters’s portrayal earned her a BAFTA nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role.

In 2016, Walters provided the Lexi Decoder (LEXI) voice in Channel 4’s broadcast of the Paralympic Games, aiding viewers with a visual system that clarified the classifications in Paralympic sports. She continued her work in major films with a role in Mary Poppins Returns (2018), playing Ellen, the long-time housekeeper of Michael and Jane, in a nostalgic tale set in Depression-era London.

2020–Present: Recent Work

In 2020, Julie Walters starred alongside Colin Firth in The Secret Garden. That same year, she lent her voice as the narrator for the ITV documentary For the Love of Britain, guiding viewers through scenic locations across the UK.

On Christmas Day 2021, Walters voiced Granny in The Abominable Snow Baby, an animated short film broadcast on Channel 4.

In May 2022, it was announced that Walters would lead Truelove, a new Channel 4 drama series. However, in March 2023, Walters withdrew from the role due to health issues, and Lindsay Duncan stepped in to replace her.13 In addition to her work on Truelove, Walters narrated the BBC documentary The Queen: 70 Glorious Years, celebrating Queen Elizabeth II’s life and legacy as she marked her seventieth year on the British throne.

Personal Life

Julie Walters met her partner, Grant Roffey, a patrolman for the AA, in 1985 during an unexpected encounter at a pub in Fulham, where Roffey mentioned his support for the Labour Party.14 This chance meeting led to a relationship, and shortly after, he was invited to fix Walters’s washing machine, sparking a whirlwind romance. In 1988, they welcomed their daughter, Maisie Mae Roffey, born on April 26. The couple eventually married during a trip to New York City in 1997. Walters and her family reside on an organic farm near Plaistow, West Sussex, which Roffey manages.

Walters is a devoted West Bromwich Albion Football Club fan, a connection to her upbringing in Smethwick. Additionally, she is a patron of Women’s Aid, a charity supporting survivors of domestic violence.

Illness

In 2018, Walters was diagnosed with stage III bowel cancer. After undergoing surgery and chemotherapy, she entered remission, which required her to step back from certain roles, including missing scenes in The Secret Garden and the premiere of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again. Walters publicly revealed her diagnosis in February 2020 during an interview with Victoria Derbyshire, stating her intent to reduce her acting commitments, particularly for demanding film roles. However, she expressed interest in selectively returning for particularly meaningful projects, including a potential Mamma Mia 3! reportedly developing in 2021.15

In March 2023, Walters withdrew from Channel 4’s drama Truelove due to ongoing health issues. Lindsay Duncan subsequently took over her role.16

Top 10 Little-Known Facts About Julie Walters

  1. Started Nursing Before Acting: Before pursuing acting, Walters initially trained as a nurse at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, where she worked in various departments, including ophthalmic and coronary care.
  2. Lifelong Supporter of West Bromwich Albion: Walters has been a dedicated fan of the West Bromwich Albion Football Club, a connection stemming from her upbringing in Smethwick.
  3. Met Her Husband Through a Washing Machine Repair: Walters met her husband, Grant Roffey, in a unique way—he initially came over to repair her washing machine. They have been together since 1985.
  4. Authored a Novel: Walters is not just a talented actress; she also published a novel titled Maggie’s Tree in 2006. The novel explores the lives of actors and their psychological struggles.
  5. Reluctance to Portray Mo Mowlam: Walters hesitated to take on the role of Mo Mowlam in Mo (2010) due to their physical differences, but her portrayal ended up being highly acclaimed.
  6. Paddington Bear Designer: Alongside her role in Paddington, Walters designed a “Primrose”-themed Paddington Bear statue as part of a 2014 charity auction for the NSPCC.
  7. Has a Star in Birmingham: In 2009, Walters received a star on the Birmingham Walk of Stars in recognition of her entertainment contributions and connection to the West Midlands.
  8. First Met Victoria Wood in 1971: Walters’s long-time collaborator and friend, comedian Victoria Wood, first met her during an audition at the Manchester School of Theatre in 1971, sparking a creative partnership that lasted decades.
  9. Stage Name Inspiration: Though born Julia Mary Walters, she chose to go by Julie Walters professionally to create a memorable stage name.
  10. Faced Cancer Diagnoses: Walters was diagnosed with stage III bowel cancer in 2018, undergoing surgery and chemotherapy. She publicly shared her story in 2020, announcing that she would be stepping back from demanding roles, although she remained open to projects she felt passionate about.

Awards

YearAward NameNominated WorkCategory
1984Golden Globe AwardEducating RitaBest Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
1984BAFTA AwardEducating RitaBest Actress in a Leading Role
2001BAFTA AwardBilly ElliotBest Actress in a Supporting Role
2001Laurence Olivier AwardAll My SonsBest Actress
2002British Academy Television AwardMy Beautiful SonBest Actress
2003British Academy Television AwardMurderBest Actress
2004British Academy Television AwardThe Canterbury TalesBest Actress
2006Silver George (Moscow International Film Festival)Driving LessonsBest Actress
2009International Emmy AwardA Short Stay in SwitzerlandBest Actress
2010British Academy Television AwardMoBest Actress
2011International Emmy AwardMoBest Actress

Honors

Julie Walters has been recognized with multiple honors throughout her career. She was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1999 Birthday Honours,17 followed by a promotion to Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2008 New Year Honours.18 In 2017, Walters was named Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in the Birthday Honours for her contributions to drama.19

Final Reflections

Julie Walters’s life story reflects a success story built on talent, resilience, and a genuine connection to her roots. Her journey from the small stage to worldwide fame captures the essence of an artist dedicated to her career and the impact of each role she takes on. Walters has achieved legendary status, leaving a legacy far beyond awards. Looking back at Julie Walters’s biography, her influence will remain a cherished part of British culture, inspiring future generations.

Reference List for Julie Walters’s Biography

  1. Radio Times, 29 Nov.-5 Dec. 2014, p. 33. ↩︎
  2. Oddey, Alison. Performing Women: Stand-ups, Strumpets and Itinerants. Palgrave Macmillan, 2005, p. 305. ↩︎
  3. Walters, Julie. That’s Another Story: The Autobiography. Orion Publishing Co., 2008, p. 100. ISBN 978-0-297-85206-3. ↩︎
  4. Farndale, Nigel. “Bill Nighy Interview for The Boat That Rocked.” The Daily Telegraph, 25 Mar. 2009. ↩︎
  5. Bradshaw, Peter. “Julie Walters’ Best Film Performances – Ranked!” The Guardian, 25 June 2020. ↩︎
  6. “Brockovich Is ‘Best Screen Mother.'” BBC News, 20 Aug. 2003. ↩︎
  7. Hore, Rachel. “Manhattan Transfer.” The Guardian, 14 Oct. 2006. ↩︎
  8. McGarry, Lisa. “Filth: The Mary Whitehouse Story, Julie Walters Takes the Lead.” Unreality TV, 18 Apr. 2007, archived copy. ↩︎
  9. “Julie Walters on Walk of Stars.” BBC, 27 Oct. 2009. ↩︎
  10. “Julie Walters Tells of Fear Over Mo Mowlam Role.” BBC, 20 Jan. 2010. ↩︎
  11. Rampton, James. “Observations: Just a Mo for Julie Walters.” The Independent, 29 Jan. 2010. ↩︎
  12. Joseph, Seb. “LV= Signs Julie Walters to Connect with 50 Plus Demographic.” Marketing Week, 10 Jan. 2012. ↩︎
  13. Farber, Alex. “Julie Walters Pulls Out of Channel 4 Drama Truelove Due to Ill Health.” The Times, 1 Mar. 2023. ↩︎
  14. “23 Reasons Why Julie’s a Real Lady.” Lady.co.uk. ↩︎
  15. Maher, Kevin. “Julie Walters: ‘I Don’t Want to Work Again . . . Unless There’s a Mamma Mia 3′.” The Times, 19 Oct. 2020. ↩︎
  16. “Julie Walters Pulls Out of Channel 4 Drama Truelove Due to Ill Health, Replaced by Lindsay Duncan.” Deadline, 28 Feb. 2023. ↩︎
  17. “No. 55513.” The London Gazette (Supplement), 12 June 1999, p. 13. ↩︎
  18. “No. 58557.” The London Gazette (Supplement), 29 Dec. 2007, p. 8. ↩︎
  19. “No. 61962.” The London Gazette (Supplement), 17 June 2017, p. B8. ↩︎

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