Mt. Rushmore- Julie Andrews
It was unplanned for Anne Hathaway & Julie Andrews to be back and back as they were costars in a film that appears on both of their Mt. Rushmores. Julie Andrews is one of those actors in 2025 that just has this presence and weight that her name brings, so today I’m talking on the difficult task of putting her top 4 most iconic roles on a pedestal above the rest. Before we get started I’d like to honorably mention some honorable mentions: Nanny in ‘Eloise at the Plaza,’ Queen Lilian in the ‘Shrek’ franchise, Gru’s mother in ‘Despicable Me,’ & the voice of Lady Whistledown on ‘Bridgerton.’
Victoria Grant/Count Victor Grazinski in ‘Victor/Victoria’- Andrews manages to bring a combination of gravitas & comedy to every role she takes in, and in this role she leans even more heavily into the comedy. While not technically a dual role as she is really just playing one character pretending to be another, Andrews might as well be playing two roles, which she did well enough to earn herself an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.
Queen Clarisse Renaldi in ‘The Princess Diaries’- The only live action film role Andrews has taken on more than once is that of the regal Queen of Genovia, Clarisse. After the death of her son, she seeks out her estranged daughter, Mia (Anne Hathaway) so she can teach her how to be a princess, and eventually queen. Though Andrews is playing a supporting role to Hathaway’s Mia, she is just as integral to the film as Mia is. Also, in the sequel she shows everyone up by being the coolest mattress surfer ever.
Maria von Trapp in ‘The Sound of Music’- Andrews second major film role and also her second most iconic. ‘The Sound of Music’ is one of the most iconic & well known films ever, but especially in the musical genre. Andrews takes on the lead role as a nun who comes to care for seven children and eventually marry their father. Andrews truly makes the hills come alive with the sound of music with songs like the titular track & ‘Do-Re-Mi,’ among others.
Mary Poppins in ‘Mary Poppins’- How cool that Andrews debut role is not only her most iconic, and not only did it win her the Academy Award for Best Actress, but it also is one of the most iconic movie characters ever. Sixty years later it remains one of Disney’s most famous films, in large part to Andrews’s legendary acting performance. She sang & danced her way to the top very quickly with this film.
