31 Facts About Julie London

Julie London was an American singer and actress whose career spanned more than 40 years.

Julie London's recording of "Cry Me a River", a track she introduced on her debut album, was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2001.

Julie London's 35-year acting career began in film in 1944, and included roles as the female lead in numerous westerns, co-starring with Rock Hudson in The Fat Man, with Robert Taylor and John Cassavetes in Saddle the Wind, with Gary Cooper in Man of the West and with Robert Mitchum in The Wonderful Country.

Julie London was described by friends and family as a shy child "without much self-confidence".

Julie London graduated from the Hollywood Professional School in 1945 and worked as an elevator operator in downtown Los Angeles throughout high school.

In 1943, Julie London met Sue Carol, a talent agent and then-wife of actor Alan Ladd, while operating the elevator at Roos Bros.

Julie London met Esquire photographer Henry Waxman while working her second job as a clerk at a menswear store, and he shot photographs of her that appeared in the magazine's November 1943 issue.

Julie London made her film debut while still in high school, appearing under the name Julie London in Nabonga in 1944.

Julie London later starred in the 1947 film The Red House with Edward G Robinson.

Julie London was cast in the lead role of Pat Boyd in the William Castle-directed The Fat Man.

Julie London recorded 32 albums in a career that began in 1955 with a live performance at the 881 Club in Los Angeles.

Julie London subsequently appeared in a television advertisement for Marlboro cigarettes, singing the "Marlboro Song".

Julie London appeared in several Westerns: In 1957, she appeared in Drango playing a Southern belle harboring fugitives, followed by a starring role opposite Gary Cooper in Man of the West, in which her character, the film's only woman, is abused and humiliated by an outlaw gang.

Julie London appeared in The Wonderful Country in 1959, in which she plays a downtrodden wife of an army major.

Julie London released numerous albums on Liberty Records throughout the 1960s, including Whatever Julie Wants, Love Letters, The End of the World, and All Through the Night, the latter a collection of songs by Cole Porter.

Julie London appeared on numerous television series in the 1960s, including guest appearances on Rawhide, Laramie, I Spy, Alfred Hitchcock Presents and The Big Valley.

Julie London released studio albums until the end of the decade, and her final studio album was Yummy, Yummy, Yummy, a collection of contemporary songs.

Julie London played Dixie McCall, and Troup was cast as emergency-room physician Dr Joe Early.

Julie London completed "My Funny Valentine", her last musical recording, for the soundtrack of the Burt Reynolds film Sharky's Machine in 1981.

Predominantly a torch singer, Julie London was described by critics as both "sultry" and "low-keyed".

Julie London's recordings were often noted by critics for being "intimate", typically featuring sparse guitar and bass arrangements.

In 1959, Julie London married jazz composer and musician Bobby Troup, and they remained married until his death in 1999.

Julie London was the stepmother of Cynthia and Ronne Troup, Troup's daughters by his first marriage to Cynthia Hare.

Julie London was a chain smoker from the age of 16 and at times smoked in excess of three packs of cigarettes per day.

Julie London suffered a stroke in 1995 and remained in poor health for the following five years.

On October 17,2000, Julie London was rushed from her home to the Encino-Tarzana Regional Medical Center after choking and struggling to breathe.

Julie London was cremated and buried next to Troup in the Courts of Remembrance Columbarium of Providence at Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles.

Julie London performed "Cry Me a River" in the film The Girl Can't Help It, and her recording gained later attention for its use in the films Passion of Mind and V for Vendetta.

Julie London has been named as an influence by several contemporary artists, including Lana Del Rey and Billie Eilish.

Julie London's cover of the Ohio Express song "Yummy Yummy Yummy" was featured on the television series Six Feet Under and appears on its soundtrack album.

Julie London's "Must Be Catchin' " was featured in the 2011 premiere episode of the series Pan Am.