The March, 1999 edition of
Catherine Harty's VOICE FROM ABROAD

THE NAME GAME

What do Jimmy Stewart, David Bowie, and Patsy Palmer all have in common? They
all had to change their professional name because someone else beat them to
fame. Jimmy Stewart’s name had been Stewart Granger , David Bowie’s name had
been Davy Jones and Patsy Palmer’s name had been Julie Harris.

Julie Harris was born December 2, 1925 in Grosse Point Park, Michigan, USA.
As a young girl, she was taken to theatrical productions in downtown Detroit
by a loving mother and father and says that her interest in acting started
then. She went on to attend the prestigious Yale Drama School. She made her
Broadway debut in 1945.

Her lengthy stage career has earned her 10 Tony Award nominations, which is
more than any other Broadway performer in history. She has won five times;
the first in 1952 for originating the character of Sally Bowles in John van
Druten's I am a Camera (which later was turned into the musical Cabaret). In
1977, she won her unprecedented fifth Tony as Emily Dickinson in William
Luce's one-woman play The Belle of Amherst.

To shine a spotlight on her theatre career is not to suggest that she only
performs on the boards. She can be found on film as well in such movies as
Gorillas in the Mist (as Roz Carr), The Bell Jar (as Mrs. Greenwood), and
alongside such notables as James Dean in East of Eden (as Abra). The
incredible performance she gives as Dutch holocaust victim Betsie ten Boom in
The Hiding Place is not to be missed (former EastEnder Michael Melia “Eddie
Royal” lists the movie on his resume as well). To read her entire filmography
go to http://uk.imdb.com/Name?Harris,+Julie

The modern irony, in the world of acting today, is that no matter how many
characters you have portrayed it will be a television role which gets you the
most recognition. You might not remember Julie Harris for any of the other
roles she has played except for this: she played Gary Ewing’s mother-in-law,
“Lilimae Clements” (1981-1987) on the night time soap Knots Landing. The show
was spun off from the most popular night time soap in the world, Dallas.

Or should I say: the most popular soap of its day. For another soap was
born, just as another Julie Harris was born.

On May, 26, 1972, young mother Patsy Harris chooses the name Julie Anne
Harris for her new baby. She knew there was an American actress of that name,
but she did not choose the name because of her. Family and friends call the
little girl Julie. Playground bullies would later call the flame-haired girl
“Gingernut”. Growing up in Bethnal Green, Julie would watch the petite
strawberry blond Julie Harris on TV’s Knots Landing. It wasn’t until she was
a teenage performer registering with the Actors Union Equity that her famous
moniker caused her problems. There couldn’t be two actresses registered with
the same name. That was when she changed her name to Patsy Palmer, which was
her mother’s maiden name.

She never legally changed her name to Patsy Palmer. It is her professional
name only. Family and friends still call her Julie. After seeing her reach
so much fame on EastEnders, those playground bullies probably wish they’d
called her Julie too. And no matter how many fans or photographers shout out
the name, “Patsy Palmer!” as she walks by, she herself knows who she is and
that is Julie.

Except, she isn’t Julie Harris any more. She took Nick Love’s name in
marriage at the Bow registry office on August 12, 1998, and is now Julie Love.
Her son, Charley, by a previous relationship, remains a Palmer.

So, there really is only one Julie Harris left. Julie Harris has returned to
the stage in a touring production of The Gin Game, with Charles Durning (TV’s
Evening Shade and Dustin Hoffman’s Tootsie). Written by D. L. Coburn, it’s a
drama about growing older and learning how to play the cards you’re dealt in
life. She breezed through my city this winter, and though we were unable to
meet, I was able to send her a list of questions. The answers she sent back
were short, but they were written in her own hand and I am thankful for her
kind reply.

I was curious to know if Julie Harris had heard about this young British
actress who had to change her name. Here’s what I found out:

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Have you ever heard of Patsy or of EastEnders? It is shown nationally on
PBS--but not on all stations. If you have seen it, any impressions? It is
cockney drama. Have you ever done a cockney accent? If yes, when and did you
think you were successful?

I have watched and enjoyed EastEnders. I couldn’t say I know which part is
Patsy Palmer. I haven’t seen the show for a long time.
I played Eliza Dolittle in G. B. Shaw’s Pygmalion for Hallmark Hall of Fame on
TV. A long time ago. Eliza is a cockney girl.

“Julie Harris” is not a terribly uncommon name. Do you have a middle
name? Have you been told of other actresses changing their names because of
you?

My name--Julia Ann Harris--but was always called Julie. Haven’t heard of
anyone having to change their name because of me.

Your name seems to be English. Is it? And do you know where your people
are from?

My father’s side of the family--English and Scotch. My mother--Dutch and
German.

Do you travel to England? Are there English things that you are fond of?

I go to England whenever I can. I love London--and the London theatre.

You appeared on the night time soap Knots Landing. What did you find the
biggest challenge of shifting gears into that genre?

I have always done TV and I loved working on Knots Landing--wonderful actors.

What do you think the public remembers you appearing in the most? Are you
ever confused with someone else?

Knots Landing. The Belle of Amherst --a solo play about the life of American
poet Emily Dickinson.

If you had to change your name, what do you think you would change it to?

I would never change my name.

You have withstood the test of time as an actress. Is there any bit of
wisdom you could share with Patsy?

Keep looking for challenges.