Julie Christie

"I like a peaceful existence. Films have caused me an enormous amount of anxiety because I don't have a lot of confidence"

The quintessential English actress, she became an icon of 1960s London and proved her versatility in both comedy and drama. Her films remain some of the best love of the decade and she helped pave the way for future actresses by playing complicated female characters.

Julie Christie was born in Assam, India 1940, where her father owned a tea plantation. Christie went to school in England and was expelled from one convent school for telling a rude joke. She developed an interest in acting after being cast as the Dauphin in her schools production of Saint Joan. In 1961 she appeared in the television show, A for Andromeda, which garnered her a certain amount of attention. Her breakthrough role was in the 1963 film, Billy Liar, in which she played free spirited Liz. She quickly became a fan favourite and gained further acclaim in the film Darling (1965) for which she won an Oscar. That same year she starred in her most famous film, Doctor Zhivago. She briefly dated fellow actor Terence Stamp and became a fashion icon. Her characters embodying the feel of Swinging London. In the following years she starred in Fahrenheit 451, Far From the Madding Crowd and Petulia. In 1967 she moved to Los Angeles but remained a favourite in Britain.That same year she appeared in the documentary, Tonite Lets All Make Love in London, which cemented her status as one of the most popular faces of Sixties London.
When the sixties ended she starred in several films with her then boyfriend Warren Beatty, including McCabe and Mrs Miller (1971) and Shampoo (1975). She won further acclaim for the films Don't Look Now (1973) and Away from Her (2006). She currently lives in Wales with her husband Duncan Campbell and remains involved with film and is passionate about environmental causes.

Julie was the first free spirited London girl to burst onto the scene. She embodied the times choosing to act in both avant garde and mainstream films. Her characters were complex, sensitive and intelligent and she brought a naturalness to all her film roles. She also wasn't afraid to tackle controversial and difficult themes of infidelity, mental illness and female sexuality.

As London fashion swept the world Julie's look was at the forefront. She favoured shift dresses, pleated skirts and knitted sweaters. A long sleeve shift dress made by designer Betsey Johnson and worn by Julie in a magazine spread became known as 'the Julie Christie dress' and was a best seller. Time magazine said "what Julie Christie wears has more impact on fashion than all the clothes of the ten best-dressed women combined". Her gold Oscar dress was hand sewn (either by Julie herself or a friend, depending on the sources). Her role as Lara in Doctor Zhivago even started a mini fashion revolution with long Russian style coats and hats becoming all the rage.

Despite being in the public eye Julie has always tried to retain her privacy. Despite being such a prominent figure of the sixties she was always shy and nervous about her fame. Her naturalness was a welcome change in the acting community and her interviews are candid and gentle. She represented a new way of being for many young women and her work continues to inspire both in the film world and in fashion.

"I prefer real life, whatever real life is. I no longer have a career to build and I can get by. I consider myself a lucky woman"