Julie Amato


Julie Amato was a professional actress, singer, and voice-over artist.

Early life

Amato was born to Thaddeus and Rose Just in Lackawanna, New York in 1944, the eldest of six siblings. She was afflicted with Guillane-Barre syndrome at the age of ten and was paralyzed for two years.
In 1961, Amato graduated high school and went on to study drama at Ithaca College. She also sang in local clubs, where she met her husband, musician Dominc Joseph Amato. The two married in 1965, after Julie's graduation, and had their first child in 1966.
Amato won the title of Miss New York State 1965. At the Miss America pageant, she was a non-finalist and won the talent award for popular singer.
The family emigrated to Canada as conscientious objectors to the Vietnam War.

Career

In Canada, Amato established herself as a TV personality. She was featured on "Time for a Living," a CBC series with Alan Thicke, became a regular on "House of Pride," and appeared as a guest panelist on "This Is The Law." She also made guest appearances on "Rollin' On The River" and "Half The George Kirby Comedy Hour." Soon she landed herself a role as host of a variety show in the style of The Carol Burnette Show. "Julie," or "The Julie Show," ran for two seasons between 1976 and 1978. Season 1 ran on CTV on Tuesdays at 8:30pm. Season 2 ran on CTV on Fridays at 7:30pm. The change in time slots is thought to have attributed to the show's cancellation. Some notable guests on the show include Andy Griffith, Eartha Kitt, and Rip Taylor.

"Julie" (aka The Julie Show)

DateGuest
30 Sep 1977Rip Taylor and Arte Johnson
7 Oct 1977Chuck McCann and Clifton Davis
14 Oct 1977Avery Schreiber and Rip Taylor
21 Oct 1977Kelly Garrett and Chuck McCann
4 Nov 1977Kelly Garrett and Clifton Davis
11 Nov 1977-
18 Nov 1977-
25 Nov 1977-
2 Dec 1977-
9 Dec 1977-
16 Dec 1977-
30 Dec 1977Rip Taylor and Arte Johnson
6 Jan 1978Patsy Gallant, Ted Zeigler, and Murray Langston
20 Jan 1978Billy Crystal and Phyllis Diller
27 Jan 1978Billy Crystal, Ted Zeigler, and Murray Langston
10 Feb 1978Phyllis Diller and Dave Broadfoot
17 Feb 1978-
24 Feb 1978-
3 Mar 1978Hagood Hardy, Steve Landesberg, and the Unknown Comic
24 Mar 1978-
31 Mar 1978Ruth Buzzi, Joan Allan Cameron, and Steve Landesberg
7 Apr 1978Soupy Sales, Henny Youngman, and Diane Stapley
14 Apr 1978-
21 Apr 1978-
28 Apr 1978-
5 May 1978-
12 May 1978Avery Schreiber and Rip Taylor
19 May 1978-
26 May 1978Clifton Davis
2 Jun 1978Rita Moreno and Marilyn Michaels

Other guest appearances : Jack Duffy, Billy Van, Bobby Vinton, George Goebbels
Following "The Julie Show," Amato became the spokesperson for White Westinghouse. She participated in several advertising campaigns: She was the voice of the National Geographic, the NBC, and narrated several “Celebrity Profiles” for the “E!” channel. Amato later became a successful voiceover coach.

The Ghost Dance

Although filming was done in the mid-1970s, "The Ghost Dance" was not released until 1982, following the premiere of the "Friday the 13th" franchise. In it, Amato plays Dr. Kay Foster.

Later years

Amato met her later life partner, C.O. Lee Boyce Jr., at Mann’s Chinese Theater in November 1992.