Julie Sommars was born in Fremont, Nebraska to a government grain inspector and schoolteacher. Her early life was marked by a series of moves, as her family relocated to various parts of the Midwest, including Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota. During her teenage years, Julie's father entered her name in a worldwide talent hunt without her knowledge, which led to her auditioning for Otto Preminger for the lead role in his film "Saint Joan" when she was just 15 years old. Although she didn't land the part, she went on to win the American Legion State Oratory Contest in Aberdeen, South Dakota as a high school senior, making her the only female winner in all 48 states at the time.
After graduating from high school, Julie moved to California, where she attended San Bernardino Valley College and began her acting career. Her early roles included appearances in the play "Our Town" and an episode of the "Loretta Young Show," where she played Loretta Young's daughter. At the age of 19, she won the female lead in Ross Hunter's talent hunt for unknowns to play in his 1966 black comedy, "The Pad and How to Use It."
Julie's big break came in the late 1960s when she starred in the comedy series "The Governor and J.J.," playing Dan Dailey's daughter, J. J. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Musical or Comedy in 1970, tying with Carol Burnett, as well as the Best New Star Award from the Television Critics Association.
Throughout the 1970s, Julie continued to work in film and television, starring alongside Dean Jones and Don Knotts in the Disney movie "Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo" and appearing in various episodic television shows, including "Get Smart," "Barnaby Jones," "Harry O," "The Rockford Files," "McMillan and Wife," "McCloud," and "Magnum P.I." She also starred in several made-for-television movies, including "The Harness," "Five Desperate Women," "Cave-In," and "Centennial."
In the 1980s, Julie joined Andy Griffith in the popular television series "Matlock," playing his love interest Assistant District Attorney, Julie March. Her performance earned her a second Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama in 1990.
After retiring from acting, Julie went on to serve as a public member on the California Judicial Performance Commission from 1999 to 2000 and the Board of Governors for the State of California from 2000 to 2003. Today, Julie lives in California with her husband of 38 years, John Karns, and their three children, Jacey Erwin, Mike Karns, and Bill Karns.
