'I will miss him more than I can say': Julie Andrews on Tony Walton
‘I will miss him more than I can say’: Julie Andrews reveals her heartbreak after ‘monumental’ first husband Tony Walton’s death from stroke at 87
- Dame Julie Andrews expressed her love for late ex-husband Tony Walton, 87
- The Oscar winning director has died following five decades of work in the arts
- Dame Julie said that her ‘doting’ ex-husband was ‘beloved beyond measure’
Speaking of her late ex-husband Tony Walton, Dame Julie Andrews said she will him ‘more than I can say’ following the award-winning British director and production designer’s death.
Dame Julie called Walton a ‘Titan of the Arts’ and praised his decades of work in ‘theatre and film, ballet and opera, the graphic arts and illustration’.
The Oscar winning director, who died aged 87, enjoyed a career spanning five decades in film, television and the stage and was famous for his work on Broadway in the US.
Walton was given Lifetime Achievement honour at the Annual Art Directors Guild Awards
His film work included Mary Poppins, The Boy Friend, The Wiz and Murder on the Orient Express, all of which earned him Academy Award nominations.
In a statement, Dame Julie said: ‘Tony (Walton) was my dearest and oldest friend.
‘He taught me to see the world with fresh eyes and his talent was simply monumental. I will miss him more than I can say.
‘We are a huge, blended family and as we hold each other close, we take comfort knowing that he lives on, not only in his children and grandchildren, but in the memories of thousands who cherished his warmth and generosity and the glorious gifts he gave us…gifts of theatre and film, ballet and opera, the graphic arts and illustration.
‘He was a Titan of the Arts. A doting father and husband…and beloved beyond measure.’
The wedding of Julie Andrews and Tony Walton at St Mary Oatlands Church, Weybridge, Surrey in 1959
His death was announced on his official website on Wednesday.
Walton and Dame Julie, who were childhood sweethearts, married in 1959 but remained friends following their divorce in 1968.
Walton won the Oscar for best art direction for Bob Fosse’s All That Jazz in 1979.
He has also been honoured with 16 Tony awards, and won an Emmy for Outstanding Art Direction for a Miniseries or Movie for his work on Death of a Salesman in 1985.
Walton’s death following complications from a stroke was announced on his official website.
Walton’s work included Mary Poppins as well as mystery Murder on the Orient Express
Walton and Dame Julie married in 1959 but still remained friends after their divorce
Among those paying tribute to Walton was Hollywood actor Alec Baldwin, who wrote: ‘My friend Tony has left us.
‘He directed me in EQUUS at @guild-hall a few years back. I assume he’s having lunch with Nichols now. Plotting.
‘Rest In Peace, Tony.’
His step daughter Bridget LeRoy paid tribute to ‘the most fabulous stepdad and human being in the world’.
‘Love you forever, Tony Walton. Have a great trip,’ she wrote online.
Walton was born Walton-on-Thames, in England, on October 24, 1935, and studied art and design at the Slade School of Fine Art in London.
He was born in Walton-on-Thames, in England, on October 24, 1935, and studied art in London
Pia Lindstrom and Tony Walton attend the American Theatre Wing’s Annual Gala in 2013
Among many others his designs for Broadway included Bob Fosse’s original productions of Chicago and Pippin, Grand Hotel, Uncle Vanya, Guys and Dolls and Harold Pinter’s Moonlight and Ashes to Ashes.
He was the production designer for Madison Square Garden’s A Christmas Carol for 10 years as well as for Dame Julie Andrews’ 2003 revival of Sandy Wilson’s The Boy Friend.
Walton and Dame Julie, who were childhood sweethearts, married in 1959 but remained friends following their divorce in 1968.
He was elected to the Theatre Hall of Fame in 1991.
Following the news of his passing The Museum Of Broadway paid tribute to the ‘brilliant’ designer.
‘We mourn the loss of celebrated designer, Tony Walton,’ the official account tweeted.
He was the production designer for Madison Square Garden’s A Christmas Carol for 10 years as well as for Dame Julie Andrews’ 2003 revival of Sandy Wilson’s The Boy Friend
‘Tony was a brilliant scenic and costume designer whose work was seen on Broadway across five decades, winning three Tony Awards. Rest In Peace.’
As a producer, Walton co-presented six productions – plays and musicals – in London.
His designs for Opera have been seen at London’s Theatre Royal Covent Garden, The Sadler’s Wells Opera Company and throughout Europe and America.
Walton leaves behind his wife, author Genevieve LeRoy Walton, his two daughters, Emma Walton Hamilton and Bridget LeRoy, and five grandchildren.
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