Julie Brown facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Julie Brown
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Brown in 2012
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| Born |
Julie Ann Brown
August 31, 1958 Van Nuys, California, U.S.
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| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1980–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Terrence E. McNally
(m. 1983; div. 1989)Ken Rethen
(m. 1993; div. 2007) |
| Children | 1 |
Julie Ann Brown (born August 31, 1958) is an American actress, comedian, musician, and filmmaker. She is famous for her funny songs and for acting in popular movies and TV shows like Clueless and Camp Rock.
Contents
Early Life and School
Julie Brown was born in Van Nuys, a neighborhood in Los Angeles, California. Show business was part of her family. Her father worked for the TV network NBC, and her mother was a secretary at the same studio. Her great-grandfather, Frank O'Connor, was also an actor.
Brown went to a Catholic elementary school and later attended Van Nuys High School. After high school, she studied acting at Los Angeles Valley College and the American Conservatory Theater to improve her skills.
Career in Comedy and Acting
Getting Started in Hollywood
Brown began her career by performing comedy in nightclubs. She soon started getting roles on television shows like Happy Days, Laverne & Shirley, and The Jeffersons. She also had small parts in movies, including The Incredible Shrinking Woman.
Making Funny Music
In 1984, Brown released her first collection of songs, an EP called Goddess in Progress. The album was full of parodies, which are funny versions of serious songs. Her songs often made fun of the "valley girl" personality that was popular in the 1980s.
Two of her songs, "'Cause I'm a Blonde" and "The Homecoming Queen's Got a Gun," became very popular and were played on the radio around the world. In 1987, she released a full album called Trapped in the Body of a White Girl. The music videos for her songs were often shown on MTV.
TV Shows and Movies
In 1989, Brown created and starred in her own comedy show on MTV called Just Say Julie. On the show, she played a funny, bossy character who would make jokes about famous musicians before playing their videos.
Her biggest movie project was Earth Girls Are Easy (1988). She co-wrote the movie and also acted in it. The film was based on one of her songs and also starred famous actors like Geena Davis and Jeff Goldblum, as well as future stars Jim Carrey and Damon Wayans.
Throughout the 1990s, Brown starred in many TV shows and movies. She was a main cast member on the Fox comedy show The Edge. She also created TV movies that made fun of pop culture. One was Medusa: Dare to Be Truthful, a parody of a documentary by the singer Madonna. Another was Attack of the 5 Ft. 2 In. Women, which poked fun at major news stories of the time.
Voice Acting and Clueless
Brown is also a talented voice actress. She voiced the character Minerva Mink in the cartoon Animaniacs and the powerful magician Zatanna in Batman: The Animated Series. She also voiced the sea witch Saleen in the Aladdin TV series.
One of her most famous roles was playing Coach Millie Stoeger in the 1995 hit movie Clueless. She played the same character in the Clueless TV show that ran from 1996 to 1999. She also worked behind the scenes as a writer, producer, and director for the show.
Later Work
In 2008, Brown co-wrote and acted in the popular Disney Channel movie Camp Rock, playing the character Dee La Duke. From 2010 to 2017, she had a recurring role as Paula Norwood, the friendly neighbor on the ABC sitcom The Middle. She also worked as a writer for the show Melissa & Joey.
Personal Life
Brown was married to writer and actor Terrence E. McNally from 1983 to 1989. In 1994, she married Ken Rathjen, and they have one son. They later divorced in 2007.
Selected Film and TV Roles
Julie Brown has appeared in many movies and television shows. Here are some of her most well-known roles.
Movies
- Earth Girls Are Easy (1988) - as Candy Pink
- A Goofy Movie (1995) - as the voice of Lisa
- Clueless (1995) - as Ms. Stoeger
- Wakko's Wish (1999) - as the voice of Minerva Mink
- Camp Rock (2008) - as Dee La Duke
Television
- Happy Days (1980) - as Suzy Simmonds
- Newhart (1986–88) - as Buffy Denver
- Just Say Julie (1989) - as Host
- Tiny Toon Adventures (1991) - as the voice of Julie Bruin
- Batman: The Animated Series (1992–93) - as the voice of Zatanna
- Animaniacs (1993–97) - as the voice of Minerva Mink
- Aladdin (1994–95) - as the voice of Saleen
- Clueless (1996–99) - as Coach Millie Deimer
- The Middle (2010–17) - as Paula Norwood
Discography
- Goddess in Progress (1984)
- Trapped in the Body of a White Girl (1987)
- Smell the Glamour (2010)
See also
In Spanish: Julie Brown para niños
