Juliet Mills "Nanny and the Professor"

She was born into show business royalty, made her film debut at just 11 weeks old, and grew up surrounded by legends like Noel Coward, Vivien Leigh, Laurence Olivier, and more. On this episode of Still Here Hollywood, Steve Kmetko sits down with the luminous Juliet Mills, the beloved star of Nanny and the Professor, to trace a life and career that spans West End theater, Broadway, classic television, and unforgettable Hollywood collaborators. Juliet shares how her family and upbringing shaped her worldview, why gratitude became one of her guiding principles, and what it was really like stepping into the spotlight as “Nanny” during a time when television was far more “tea and nightgowns” than romance and realism. She also looks back on the global success of the show, her bond with co-star Richard Long, and why she believes the series might have lasted longer if the on-screen relationship had been allowed to evolve. Plus, Juliet tells behind-the-scenes stories from her career highlights, including working with Billy Wilder and Jack Lemmon on Avanti! (yes, the role that required her to gain 35 pounds, a true acting challenge if spaghetti is involved). She also opens up about love, marriage, and fate, as her husband Maxwell Caulfield joins the conversation for a charming, honest look at how their relationship began during The Elephant Man, with a cameo appearance from Natalie Wood in the origin story. 0:00 — Showbiz Royalty: Juliet Mills’ Origin Story 0:41 — “My Film Debut Was at 11 Weeks Old” 1:18 — Broadway at 16 and the Peter Shaffer Breakthrough 2:25 — Destined to Act? The Mills Family Reality Check 4:16 — Billy Wilder + Jack Lemmon: The Career Highlight 5:20 — Her Father’s Greatest Lesson: Gratitude 6:46 — Vivien Leigh, Noel Coward, Olivier: The House Guests 8:10 — Hayley Mills Turns 80 and Still Works 10:35 — The Oscar Night She’ll Never Forget 12:55 — Nanny and the Professor: The Role That Changed Everything 17:40 — Why “Nanny” Felt Real to Her (ESP, Magic, Afterlife) 19:51 — How the Show Made Her a Star 22:39 — London Theater Now, Broadway Now 25:35 — The Romance They Wouldn’t Let Happen on TV 27:03 — Richard Long: Loss and Reality 28:46 — Writing an Episode and Her Father’s Guest Role 32:28 — The Happiest Era of Her Life 36:40 — Maxwell Caulfield Joins: The Hand-Holding Moment 40:19 — The Age Gap Question (and Why It Didn’t Matter) 46:58 — Two Things That Warm Her Heart Most 49:14 — Working Together and Loving It 51:13 — Wrap