Julie Budd

Julie Budd (born May 7, 1954) is an American recording artist and actress.

Early life and education Budd was born Edith Erdman the second of three daughters of Joan and Saul Erdman, a bottling company executive. She attended the Roy H. Mann Jr. High School in Brooklyn until 1969, when she transferred to a private academy in Manhattan.

Singing Budd began her singing career at the age of 12 when, after winning amateur night at a resort camp, she was spotted by producer Herb Bernstein, who became her manager and arranger. After signing a contract for personal management, he also had her record a demo, and arranged for a three-year contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer records. Budd also became a regular on the NBC summer series Showcase '68. At the time, her style drew frequent comparisons to Barbra Streisand (to the point where she was mistakenly assumed to be Streisand's sister).

Appearing at Caesars Palace at the age of 16, Budd became the youngest opening act for Frank Sinatra. She performed the title song for the 1972 film Living Free, which played over the opening credits.

Budd continues to perform mainly in the New York City area and Las Vegas. She released the albums Pure Imagination (1997) and If You Could See Me Now (2000), She also teaches master classes in singing. She has also performed concerts and one-woman shows at the London Palladium and the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center. She has worked with symphony orchestras including Baltimore Symphony, National Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, Austin Symphony, Alabama Symphony, Philadelphia Symphony, Dallas Symphony and the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.

Acting Budd is associated with the Circle Repertory Company and Playwrights Horizons of New York City. Budd has stated that "having the opportunity to work for the Disney Company was a life changer for me. At Disney they always do it right".