Julia Morris doesn’t enter a room. She bursts into one. “Stand clear, mediocre talent walking,” the comedian cracks as she arrives on The Weekly’s set. It’s the beginning of a series of pithy and often self-deprecating jokes that will launch the assembled crew into fits of giggles throughout our shoot, occasionally holding up proceedings as we get sucked into the comedic stories.
It’s this effortless flow of banter that has seen her traverse what she calls her “75 years in the business”, pivoting from one opportunity to the next and finding a legion of new, loyal fans along the way. But while it’s easy to write Julia off as a human one-liner generator, scratch gently beneath the surface and there’s a woman of many layers and complexities sitting underneath.
“That was a cross between glorious and gently embarrassing,” she sighs once the camera has been put down. “For years I was conscious of not looking like I was taking myself too seriously and in the end, that just took up more time.
“I think it’s something in the 50s about letting go. Not letting go of how I look – quite the opposite. But having faith that everyone else knows what they are doing.”
It’s not the first time Julia has shot with The Weekly. But it is the first time she’s spoken to us in the wake of her split from husband of 16 years Dan Thomas. And it’s the first time she’s laid bare not only the way she, Dan and their two daughters – Ruby, 16, and Sophie, 14 – have navigated the huge life shift, but also the personal awakenings she’s had along the way.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Hitting a nerve
Regulating the vagus nerve with its links to depression, anxiety, arthritis and diabetes - could aid physical and mental wellbeing.
Take me to the river
With a slew of new schedules and excursions to explore, the latest river cruises promise to give you experiences and sights you won’t see on the ocean.
The last act
When family patriarch Tom Edwards passes away, his children must come together to build his coffin in four days, otherwise they will lose their inheritance. Can they put their sibling rivalry aside?
MEET RUSSIA'S BRAVEST WOMEN
When Alexei Navalny died in a brutal Arctic prison, Vladimir Putin thought he had triumphed over his most formidable opponent. Until three courageous women - Alexei's mother, wife and daughter - took up his fight for freedom.
The wines and lines mums
Once only associated with glamorous A-listers, cocaine is now prevalent with the soccer-mum set - as likely to be imbibed at a school fundraiser as a nightclub. The Weekly looks inside this illegal, addictive, rising trend.
Jenny Liddle-Bob.Lucy McDonald.Sasha Green - Why don't you know their names?
Indigenous women are being murdered at frightening rates, their deaths often left uninvestigated and widely unreported. Here The Weekly meets families who are battling grief and desperate for solutions.
Growing happiness
Through drought flood and heartbreak, Jenny Jennr's sunflowers bloom with hope, sunshine and joy
"Thank God we make each other laugh"
A shared sense of humour has seen Aussie comedy couple Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammall conquer the world. But what does life look like when the cameras go down:
Winter baking with apples and pears
Celebrate the season of Australian apples and pears with these sweet bakes that will keep the midwinter blues away.
Budget dinner winners
Looking for some thrifty inspiration for weeknight dinners? Try our tasty line-up of low-cost recipes that are bound to please everyone at the table.
