The actress spoke about the importance of finding a cure for the disease
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NEED TO KNOW
- Julie Andrews appeared in a video message for the seventh World Parkinson’s Congress
- The actress called Parkinson’s disease “devastating” and encouraged continued efforts to find a cure
- The appearance marked a rare return to the spotlight for Andrews, whose celebrated career has spanned more than 70 years
Julie Andrews is lending her voice to the fight against Parkinson’s disease.
In a video message shared to YouTube by the World Parkinson Coalition, the legendary actress addressed attendees of the seventh World Parkinson’s Congress and spoke about the importance of continuing efforts to find a cure for Parkinson’s disease.
“Good evening, everyone, I'm Julie Andrews and I'm pleased to welcome you to the seventh World Parkinson's Congress,” Andrews said in the clip.
“Your participation is invaluable as we seek to find a cure to this terrible disease,” she continued. “I know well how devastating it can be.”
The beloved star ended her message on an uplifting note.
“May we all become a beacon of light to stop it in its tracks. Count me in as a red thread. Thank you,” Andrews concluded.
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The appearance marked a rare return to the spotlight for Andrews, whose celebrated career has spanned more than 70 years.
The actress, 90, first rose to worldwide fame with her Oscar-winning performance in Mary Poppins. She later cemented her Hollywood legacy while starring opposite the late Christopher Plummer in The Sound of Music, earning a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Maria von Trapp.
Andrews’ warmth behind the scenes appears to have mirrored the nurturing spirit of her iconic character. Just last year, Duane Chase, who played Kurt von Trapp in the beloved musical, told PEOPLE that the actress was “kind of a nanny for” the younger cast members while filming the movie nearly 60 years ago.
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Over the decades, Andrews has continued to build an award-winning career across film and television, earning multiple Oscar nominations and 10 Emmy nominations, including recognition for her voice-over role in Bridgerton.
Most recently, Andrews took home the Emmy for Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance at the 76th Creative Arts Emmy Awards for her work on the Netflix hit.
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While discussing the series during a 2022 appearance on the Today show, Andrews revealed that she had never actually met the cast in person despite narrating the drama as Lady Whistledown.
“You know I've never met the company in person,” Andrews told co-host Hoda Kotb at the time. “Of course, I see them on the show sometimes. But I do all my recording far far away from them.”
The actress also became a favorite to a new generation of fans through her role as Queen Clarisse Renaldi in The Princess Diaries films opposite Anne Hathaway. While a third installment has been greenlit, it remains unclear whether Andrews will return to the franchise.
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