Hollywood legend Julie Andrews of Mary Poppins and Sound Of Music fame is known for being one of the beloved stars still working in the entertainment industry today.
While the actress appears to have been popular with the vast majority of people that got the chance to work with her in the past, it will undoubtedly come as a surprise to her fans that one of her former co-stars was quick to slam her as “condescending and mean.”
‘She Was Condescending And Mean’
Fresh off the success of Mary Poppins and Sound of Music, which came out in 1964 and 1965 respectively, Andrews starred in the epic 1966 film Hawaii alongside Richard Harris and Max von Sydow. Unfortunately, Harris was not a fan of Andrews, and he later told his biographer Michael Feeney Callan that he had “rarely, if ever, experienced such hatred for a person.”
“She was condescending and mean. I’m sure she saw how much I was enjoying myself, and I thought that annoyed her,” Harris said, according to The Mirror. “She would say something, all quiet and conspiratorial, to the director, and I would shout ‘Did you say something, Jules?’ which just p****d her.”
Harris died in 2002 at the age of 72 after a lengthy career in Hollywood that saw him be nominated for two Oscars and have a starring role in the Harry Potter film series, playing Dumbledore in the first two films before his passing.
Andrews Felt She Wasn’t ‘Worthy’ Of Her Success
Andrews, who is now 87 years-old, has been open about her struggles in the 1960s, declaring in an interview last year that she did not feel “worthy” of the success she had after winning the Best Actress Oscar for her role Mary Poppins.
“I kept the Oscar in the attic for a very long time because I thought I’d been given it as a ‘Welcome to Hollywood’ and I didn’t feel worthy of it,” she explained. “So much early success sent me into therapy and analysis.”
Perhaps Harris misread some of Andrews’ insecurities during this time period as her being “condescending and mean.” She is never known to have badmouthed Harris, and she has only ever had fond things to say about working on the 1966 film Hawaii.
“It was a good, gutsy role; this was an historical epic,” Andrews once said of the role. “Being a part of it was very stimulating.”
Related: The Von Trapp Children Reunite To Surprise Julie Andrews
Carol Burnett Has Julie Andrews’ Back
Harris may not have been in Andrews’ corner, but one person who has always had her back is the comedic icon Carol Burnett, who has been her friend for decades. Earlier this year, Burnett praised Andrews while presenting her with the AFI Life Achievement Award.
“It was if we’d always known each other, and that evening kicked off what was to be, so far, a six-decade relationship, professional and best of all, personal,” said Burnett, 89, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
“This award is so very much deserved. Julie has constantly given us her all and her all is awe-inspiring. You’re a great dame in every sense of the word. I love you. Congratulations Chum,” she added, making a reference to a nickname the two call each other.
Related: Julie Andrews Stuns Fans By Revealing She Was Caught In Compromising Position With Carol Burnett
This all just goes to show that even someone like Julie Andrews isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Just because one person she worked with wasn’t fond of her, it doesn’t mean that the rest of us need to love her any less!