biography
Born Julie Peck in Santa Clara, California, on September 26, 1926, sultry actress and singer Julie London enjoyed a long career in films
and the recording industry. Her parents had a vaudeville act and when the act moved to radio in the 1930s, London began singing on the
show. In 1943, while still a teenager, she was discovered by agent and former actress Sue Carol and landed her first film role in
Nabonga (1944; with Buster Crabbe). At the same time, London pursued a singing career with the
Matty Malnech Orchestra. Several more films followed, but when London married actor/producer/director Jack Webb in 1947, she cooled her
career to raise a family. After having two daughters, the couple parted ways in 1954, and London eventually went back to acting and embarked
upon a highly successful singing career. 
LEFT: Beautiful 1940s photo of Julie London. RIGHT: Late 1950s photo
With the success of Julie London's nightclub singing act, Bobby Troup set out to land her a recording contract. However, all the major labels turned London down. She ended up at the newly formed Liberty label, and her signature song, Cry Me a River (Liberty single 55006), was released in 1955 as only the sixth record released by the fledgling label. The song proved to be a huge hit, eventually selling a staggering three million copies. Cry Me a River was also released as a track on her first album, Julie Is Her Name, which kicked off a thirteen-year recording spree at Liberty yielding more than 30 albums. But when Liberty was purchased by Transamerica Corporation (United Artists) in late 1968, London's contract ended and she virtually abandoned her singing career. Her last recording was done in 1980 as an entry on the soundtrack of the action film Sharky's Machine (1981; with Burt Reynolds and Rachel Ward). |
the films of julie londonTap Roots (1948)
Promotional still from Tap RootsThe Fat Man (1951)  
From the Universal-International mystery The Fat Man, directed by William Castle. LEFT and CENTER: With Rock Hudson. RIGHT: London as Pat BoydThe Great Man (1956)
With Jose Ferrer in the drama The Great Man. Ferrer also directed this film, which is one of London's bestSaddle the Wind (1958)
With Robert Taylor in the MGM western Saddle the WindVoice in the Mirror (1958)   
From Voice in the Mirror, which features London's best performance. LEFT: With Arthur O'Connell. CENTER A: Richard Egan as the alcoholic Jim Burton whose wife Ellen (Julie London) helps him recover and reform. CENTER B: Tense scene with Aruthur O'Connell and Richard Egan. RIGHT: With Richard EganNight of the Quarter Moon (1959)
With John Drew Barrymoore in the scandalous MGM release Night of the Quarter MoonThe Wonderful Country (1959)
With Gary Merrill and Jack Oakie in the United Artists western The Wonderful CountryThe George Raft Story (1961)
With Ray Danton in The George Raft Story. This was London's final theatrically released filmEmergency! (1972-1979 NBC TV Series)
With co-star Robert Fuller in the long-running NBC drama Emergency!, produced by Jack Webb's Mark VII Ltd.later yearsAfter Emergency left the air in 1978, London retired from show business. In 1995, two serious setbacks---a stroke and the death of her daughter, Stacy---left London in poor health. On February 7, 1999, Bobby Troup passed away at age 80. London passed away on October 18, 2000 at age 74. She is survived by two sons, two daughters, and grandchildren. |
filmographyFILM
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This page premiered October 18, 2001.
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