Dame Julie Elizabeth Andrews, DBE (born Julia Elizabeth Wells on 1 October 1935 in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, England) is an award-winning British actress, singer, author and cultural icon. She is the recipient of Golden Globe, Emmy, Grammy, BAFTA, People's Choice Award, Theatre World Award, Screen Actors Guild and Academy Award honours. Julie Andrews got her big break when her stepfather introduced her to Val Parnell, whose Moss Empires controlled prominent venues in London.