Did Walt Disney wait for Julie Andrews?

Julie Andrews is now known for her prim and proper on-screen persona. Andrews has impressed audiences with her vocal prowess and RP accent for decades, from The Queen of Genovia in The Princess Diaries to Maria in The Sound of Music

. Mary Poppins, one of her most famous roles, earned her an Academy Award in 1965 and launched her booming film career.

Andrews was pregnant when Disney offered her the main role in Mary Poppins opposite Dick Van Dyke. Rather than changing course and finding another actress – most likely one with a higher Q score – he waited for the star to give birth before beginning filming.

Mary Poppins began filming in 1963, and the film aired two years later, in 1965. Andrews went on to star in The Sound of Music shortly after. Following both premieres, Andrews rapidly became a household name.

Andrews won the Oscar for her directorial debut – a highly rare feat in Hollywood (which she shares with actress Lupita Nyong’o).

In 1983, she was nominated twice again for The Sound of Music and Victor/Victoria.