TV journalist Rawdon Christie reckons he might "have a watch" of tomorrow's Oscars ceremony to see if "Aunt Julie" wins another gong.
London-born Rawdon, presenter of TV One political current affairs show Agenda and former Dragons' Den host, is a cousin of British actress Julie Christie but he
refers to her as his aunt. The 66-year-old pop icon was born in Assam, India, and is Rawdon's father's cousin.
She is best known for her roles in 1960s films Billy Liar and Doctor Zhivago, and has more recently appeared in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban.
She received her fourth best actress nomination for Away From Her, in which she plays a woman who develops Alzheimer's.
A supporter of animal rights and environmental protection, Christie already has an Academy Award for her role in 1965 film Darling.
Rawdon said his aunt was a private person who spent her time pursuing her causes and her career, and was well-loved by her family.
"She hates the glitz and attention which her career has brought her.
"I wrote to her last week, because I'd seen so much of what she'd been doing, so I wanted to remind her I was in little old New Zealand on the other side of the world, and that I was as proud of her as anyone.
"But that's the sort of attention she's always shirked."
Rawdon is yet to see Christie's latest film but usually collects her works and would watch the Oscars ceremony to see if she won.
The reporter also partially credited his aunt with his decision to become a journalist. "I looked at going into acting, and she gave me the advice that it had to be the only thing I wanted to do for it to be a good idea. It was almost like she was ringing a bell of caution."
However Rawdon, who has lived in New Zealand for more than four years, thinks he may have to persuade his daughter to avoid a movie career.
"I think my little 3-year-old has exactly the same eyes and exactly the same personality at this stage. But I will obviously dissuade her from going into that industry."
