You Know Her from ‘Emergency!’—But Julie London’s Other Roles Might Surprise You
Most folks remember Julie London best as Dixie McCall, the perpetually calm, peacemaking heading of nursing on the 1970s medical drama Emergency! But the diminutive beauty with the movie siren looks enjoyed a robust career in music, film and TV long before Nurse McCall set foot in the halls of Rampart Emergency Hospital. And you may have seen her on more of your favorite dramas and variety shows than you realize, especially Westerns. She’s great with a stethoscope and a Smith & Wesson!
Born Julie Peck on Sept. 26, 1926, to vaudevillian parents in Santa Rosa, Calif., London was discovered by actor Alan Ladd‘s talent agent wife, Sue Carol, while working as an elevator operator in downtown Los Angeles. Her elegant, bedroom-eyed beauty led the then teenage London to film roles, particularly in Westerns such as 1947’s The Red House with Edward G. Robinson and Rory Calhoun, 1951’s The Fat Man with Rock Hudson and Jayne Meadows, and 1958’s Man of the West with Gary Cooper and Hawaii 5-0‘s Jack Lord and Saddle the Wind with Robert Taylor and John Cassavetes.
Julie London, Rock Hudson. Everett Collection
An early marriage to actor-producer Jack Webb ended as London’s star rose, but the two remained friends and Webb would figure prominently into her TV career later on.
In 1957, London received the Photoplay Awards Gold Medal for Most Promising Female Star. But by 1960, London shifted her career to television, particularly the Western dramas that were captivating TV viewers. Here are a few of the classic favorites in which London played memorable (and sometimes musical) guest roles.
Laramie (1960) — June Brown
Julie London, Claude Akins. Everett Collection
London played a card dealer who calls herself June Brown on Season 1 episode “Queen of Diamonds.” A new arrival in Laramie, the fetching Brown lures young rancher Slim Sherman (John Smith) into helping her and her husband, former Marshall Jim Dark (Claude Akins) avoid the Reeves gang, who’ve escaped from jail and are seeking revenge on Jim.
Fun fact: London’s future Emergency! co-star Robert Fuller also appears in this episode as vengeful drifterJess Harper.
Rawhide (1960) — Anne Danvers
Eric Fleming, Julie London. Everett Collection
In the Season 3 episode “Incident at Rojo Canyon,” London plays famous singer “Liberty Girl,” aka Anne Danvers, who, along with her manager (played by London’s new husband and future Emergency! costar Bobby Troup), discover her father’s house burned down and sets out to find him. London warbles “Greensleeves” during the episode.
The Barbara Stanwyck Show (1964) — Julie
Barbara Stanwyck, Julie London. Everett Collection
Before she played Barkley matriarch Victoria Barkley on The Big Valley, Stanwyck hoped to use this anthology series (for which she earned an Emmy) as as a springboard to a series starring her recurring character Josephine Little. In the 1961 episode “Night Visitor,” London plays a con woman who teams up with a rich couple’s butler to kill the snooty wife (Stanwyck) and steal the couple’s valuables.
Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1965) — Barbara
Julie London, Peter Lawford. Everett Collection
London showed up in “Crimson Witness” the 12th episode of Season 3 on this continuation of the horror master’s iconic Alfred Hitchcock Presents. London plays sexy secretary Barbara/Babs who gets involved with both her married boss, Ernie (Peter Lawford), and his more intriguing brother, Farnum (Roger Carmel). When Ernie loses his wife, his mistress and his job to Farnum, a murderous plot ensues.
The Man From U.N.C.L.E. (1967) — Laura Sebastian
London appeared on the NBC spy drama as the wife of mad scientist Luther Sebastian (Bradford Dillman) in the back half of a two-part episode called “The Princess of Darkness Affair.” A year later, this two-parter came to theaters as The Helicopter Spies.
The Big Valley (1968) — Julia Saxon
Everett Collection
London appearED with her husband Bobby Troup and got to show off her pipes once again in the Season 4 episode “They Call Her Delilah.” London plays beautiful singer Julia Saxon, a former paramour of Jarrod Barkley (Richard Long), who returns to town with a secret: She was once a Confederate spy. Troup, a talented musician in his own right, plays Julia’s piano player.
What was your favorite of Julie London’s TV and film roles? Tell us in the comments below!
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Where Are They Now? Music Legends
July/August 2025
They rocked and rolled us, they shredded, they head-slammed and they crooned, but what happened to them and where are they now?
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