Julie Walters on aging and being considered a national treasure

by · November 16, 2014

In a recent interview with the Sunday Express, Julie Walters (Molly Weasley) discusses aging in the public eye and being considered a national treasure. Walters, who will turn 65 in February, has a refreshingly positive outlook on aging, saying,

It’s just what happens… I didn’t have a crisis at 60 – I found it a relief and felt liberated by it. I thought I could legitimately give up work if I wanted to. I could have white hair. I thought, ‘I can be who I am.’ So I’m not about to go and have a facelift or anything. Mind you… there are times when I wonder what I would look like. Because that’s what everyone has done and pretends they haven’t, isn’t it?

Having garnered more BAFTA awards than any other British actress, it comes as no surprise that Walters is considered a national treasure. The celebrated actress takes it all in her stride though, saying,

Well, that’s just a press title,isn’t it? I don’t think about it, but it’s lovely. And people are lovely, but then a couple of times someone has said, ‘Oh, you were amazing in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel,’ and I’m like, ‘That’s not me…’ They’re thinking I’m Judi Dench, which is a great compliment. Maybe I should sign something like, ‘Love, Judi Walters or Julie Dench.’

As we reported earlier, BAFTA recently celebrated Walters in an A Life in Television episode.

Walters, who has recently been filming the upcoming movie Paddington, still manages to take time out of her busy schedule to support charitable causes. As reported in the West Sussex County Times, she is Patron of Samaritans Horsham and will be attending their awards ceremony at Horsham’s Capitol Theatre this Tuesday, November 18, for students of the College of Richard Collyer who participated in a Christmas card design competition.

Walters will be presenting prizes to the winners, whose designs will be sold by Samaritans Horsham. She will also remain at the event after the awards ceremony to help sell cards. The event will be open to the public at 3:45 p.m.

How do you feel about Walters being considered a national treasure? Will you be attending the Samaritans Horsham event? Are you excited to see her in Paddington? We want to know your thoughts!