Roberts, Julia (1967-…), an American actress, became one of the most popular motion-picture stars in Hollywood while she was still in her early 20’s. Her portrayal of a breezy young prostitute in Pretty Woman (1990) won her international fame and helped make the film a major box-office hit. Roberts won the 2000 Academy Award for best actress for her performance in Erin Brockovich. In that film, based on a true story, Roberts portrayed a single mother who fought a legal battle against a powerful corporation to help uncover one of the biggest environmental crimes in history.
Julia Fiona Roberts was born in Smyrna, Georgia, on Oct. 28, 1967. She is the younger sister of actor Eric Roberts. Julia began acting in a theater workshop run by her parents in Atlanta and made her movie debut in Blood Red (completed in 1986, released in 1989). The National Association of Theatre Owners voted Roberts Female Star of the Year in 1991. Her other movies include Mystic Pizza (1988); Steel Magnolias (1989); Sleeping with the Enemy and Hook (both 1991); The Pelican Brief (1993); Something to Talk About (1995); Mary Reilly (1996); My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997); Stepmom (1998); Notting Hill and Runaway Bride (both 1999); The Mexican, America’s Sweethearts, and Ocean’s Eleven (all 2001); Confessions of a Dangerous Mind and Mona Lisa Smile (both 2003); Ocean’s Twelve and Closer (both 2004); Charlie Wilson’s War (2007); Fireflies in the Garden (2008); Duplicity (2009); Valentine’s Day and Eat Pray Love (both 2010); Larry Crowne (2011); August: Osage County (2013); and Money Monster and Mother’s Day (both 2016).
Roberts was married to the American country singer Lyle Lovett from 1993 to 1995. In 2002, Roberts married the American cameraman and cinematographer Daniel Moder.
