Julie Andrews (90) has extended her own record. At the Creative Arts Emmys on Sunday evening in Los Angeles, the actress was named Best Voice-Over Performer for a Series Character. The award again honored her narration as Lady Whistledown in the Netflix series “Bridgerton.” At 90, Andrews remains the oldest woman to have ever won a Primetime Emmy. She was not personally present; instead, voice actor Eric Bauza accepted the trophy at the Peacock Theatre on her behalf. Andrews last appeared publicly in March 2023.
Own Record
Julie Andrews had set the age record at 89 a year ago with her award, also for “Bridgerton.” Previously, two 88-year-olds shared the record: Betty White, who in 2010 won for hosting “Saturday Night Live,” and Beulah Bondi, honored in 1977 for her role in “The Waltons.” Among men, Norman Lear remains the frontrunner, who in 2020 won at age 98.
Joining the running were Pamela Adlon (“King of the Hill”), Hank Azaria (“The Simpsons”), Trey Parker (“South Park”), Matt Vogel (“The Muppet Show”), and Steven Yeun (“Invincible”). Bridgerton marks its seventh Emmy win overall, two of which are credited to Andrews.
On-Camera Work Is Done for Andrews
That her voice has become more important than her face is something the legendary “Mary Poppins” star herself explained in August. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, she said that she would not participate in the planned sequel to The Princess Diaries because she has closed the chapter on screen acting: “I think the absolute truth is that I am truly beyond all that.” She is not fully retired; she simply works differently now—on books, podcasts, and voice recordings.
Andrews is regarded as a queer icon, for instance because she challenged heteronormativity in roles for films like Victor/Victoria (1982). She has also been an advocate for queer people, backing organizations during the AIDS crisis — at a time when Hollywood and large parts of the public were quieting or stigmatizing the HIV/AIDS issue.
The Creative Arts Emmys are awarded over two nights before the main Emmy gala, which takes place on September 14. The honors celebrate achievements outside the main categories, such as in animation, documentary, and music, as well as in the technical crafts.
These are the queer winners
RuPaul faced a slight setback: His show “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” along with its inclusive spin-off, had been nominated for ten Creative Emmys in total. In the end the program managed to win only one award — in the category “Best Hairstyling for a Variety, Nonfiction, or Reality Program.”
RuPaul had to concede in the category “Best Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition Program” once again to Alan Cumming. The bisexual Brit won for hosting “The Traitors” (the U.S. version of RTL’s “Die Traitors”) for the third consecutive time. Previously, RuPaul had won this category eight times in a row from 2016 to 2023. Overall, “The Traitors” earned six Creative Emmys. (spot/dk)
