Roberts had become one of the highest-paid actresses in the world, topping the Hollywood Reporter's annual "power list" of top-earning female stars from 2005 to 2006. Her fee for 1990's Pretty Woman was $300,000; in 2003, she was paid an unprecedented $25 million for her role in Mona Lisa Smile (2003). As of 2010, Roberts's net worth was estimated to be $140 million.
Roberts has been named one of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People in the World" eleven times, tied with Halle Berry. In 2001, Ladies Home Journal ranked her as the 11th most powerful woman in America, ahead of then national security advisor Condoleezza Rice and former first lady Laura Bush. Roberts has a production company called Red Om Films.
Early life and family
Roberts was born in Atlanta, Georgia, at Crawford Long Hospital (now Emory University Hospital Midtown), to Betty Lou (née Bredemus) and Walter Grady Roberts. She is of English, Scottish, Irish, Welsh, German, and Swedish descent. Her parents were Baptist and Catholic, and she was raised Catholic. Her older brother Eric Roberts (from whom she was estranged until 2004), sister Lisa Roberts Gillan, and niece Emma Roberts, are also actors. Julia's parents, one-time actors and playwrights, met while performing theatrical productions for the armed forces and later co-founded the Atlanta Actors and Writers Workshop in Atlanta, Georgia, off Juniper Street in Midtown. While her mother was pregnant with Julia, she and her husband ran an acting school for children in Decatur, Georgia. The children of Martin Luther King, Jr. and Coretta Scott King attended the school. As a thank-you for their service, Mrs. King paid the hospital bill when Julia's mother gave birth to Julia. Julia's mother filed for divorce in 1971, with the divorce being finalized early in 1972. The family moved to Smyrna, Georgia in 1972, where Roberts attended Fitzhugh Lee Elementary School, Griffin Middle School, and Campbell High School. Her mother married Michael Motes and had daughter Nancy Motes in 1976. Julia's father died of cancer when she was ten.
Roberts wanted to be a veterinarian as a child. She played clarinet in the band in school. After graduating from Smyrna's Campbell High School, she headed to New York to pursue a career in acting. Once there, she signed with the Click Modeling Agency and enrolled in acting classes. She reverted to her original name, "Julia Roberts", when she discovered that a "Julie Roberts" already was registered with the Screen Actors Guild.
Personal life
Relationships
Roberts has had reported romantic relationships with numerous famous men, including Liam Neeson, Dylan McDermott, Kiefer Sutherland, Jason Patric, Lyle Lovett, Matthew Perry, and Benjamin Bratt. She was briefly engaged to McDermott, her Steel Magnolias co-star, whom she broke up with during the making of Pretty Woman. Her subsequent engagement and breakup with Keifer Sutherland led to Roberts' suffering from "mental issues" according to director Steven Spielberg on the set of the film Hook. She met Sutherland in 1990, when he was her co-star in Flatliners. In August 1990, Roberts and Sutherland announced their engagement, with an elaborate studio-planned wedding scheduled for June 14, 1991. Roberts broke the engagement three days before the wedding. Roberts subsequently went to Ireland with Jason Patric, a friend of Sutherland's. On June 25, 1993, she married country singer Lyle Lovett. The wedding took place at St. James Lutheran Church in Marion, Indiana, near where Lovett was appearing on tour with his band. In March 1995, the couple separated, and subsequently divorced.
In 1998, Roberts began dating Law & Order star Benjamin Bratt, and he was her escort for the March 25, 2001 Academy Awards ceremony at which she won her Oscar. Three months later, in June 2001, Roberts and Bratt announced that they were no longer a couple. "It's come to a kind and tenderhearted end," she said of their relationship.
Roberts met her current husband, cameraman Daniel Moder, on the set of her film The Mexican in 2000, while she was still dating Bratt. At the time, Moder was married to Vera Steimberg Moder. He filed for divorce a little over a year later, and after it was finalized, he and Roberts wed on July 4, 2002, at her ranch in Taos, New Mexico. Together, they have three children, twins Hazel Patricia Moder and Phinnaeus "Finn" Walter Moder (born November 28, 2004) and Henry Daniel Moder (born June 18, 2007).
Career
1986–1989
Roberts made her first big screen appearance in the film Satisfaction (1988), released on February 12, 1988, as a prostitute with, as she put it, "a heart of cocaine". She had previously performed a small role opposite her brother, Eric, in Blood Red (1986) (she has two words of dialogue), filmed in 1987 and released in 1989. Her first television appearance was as a juvenile rape victim in the initial season of the series Crime Story with Dennis Farina, in the episode titled "The Survivor", broadcast on February 13, 1987. Her first critical success with moviegoers was her performance in the independent film Mystic Pizza in 1988; that same year, she had a role in the fourth season finale of Miami Vice. In 1989, she was featured in Steel Magnolias, as a young bride with diabetes, and received both her first Academy Award nomination (as Best Supporting Actress) and first Golden Globe Award win (Motion Picture Best Supporting Actress) for her performance.
1990–2000
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| Roberts in 1990 |
Roberts became known to worldwide audiences when she co-starred with Richard Gere in the Cinderella/Pygmalionesque story, Pretty Woman, in 1990. Roberts won the role after Michelle Pfeiffer, Molly Ringwald, Meg Ryan, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Karen Allen, and Daryl Hannah (her co-star in Steel Magnolias) all turned it down. The role also earned her a second Oscar nomination, this time as Best Actress, and second Golden Globe Award win, as Motion Picture Best Actress (Musical or Comedy). Her next box office success was the thriller Sleeping with the Enemy, playing a battered wife who escapes her abusive husband, played by Patrick Bergin, and begins a new life in Iowa. She played Tinkerbell in Steven Spielberg's Hook in 1991, and also played a nurse in the 1991 film, Dying Young. This work was followed by a two-year hiatus, during which she made no films other than a cameo appearance in Robert Altman's The Player (1992). In early 1993, she was the subject of a People magazine cover story asking, "What Happened to Julia Roberts?" She was offered the role of Annie Reed in Sleepless in Seattle (1993), but turned it down.
Roberts co-starred with Denzel Washington in The Pelican Brief (1993), based on John Grisham's 1992 novel of the same name.In 1995, she appeared in season 2 of Friends (episode 13 "The One After the Superbowl"). Roberts recorded her scenes from January 6–8, 1996. She had a relationship with cast member Matthew Perry at the time, and an audience member said about their on-screen kiss, "Julia looked at Matt and said 'I'm glad we rehearsed this over the weekend'." She was offered the role of Lucy Eleanor Moderatz in While You Were Sleeping (1995), but also turned it down.
Roberts co-starred with Liam Neeson in Michael Collins (1996). Over the next few years, she starred in a series of films that were critical and commercial failures,[citation needed] such as Stephen Frears' Mary Reilly (1996). Roberts overcame these with the commercial and critical success of My Best Friend's Wedding in 1997. In 1998, she appeared on Sesame Street opposite the character Elmo, demonstrating her ability to change emotions. She was offered the role of Viola de Lesseps in Shakespeare in Love (1998), but turned it down. She starred with Hugh Grant in Notting Hill (1999). That same year she also starred in Runaway Bride, her second film with Richard Gere. Roberts was a guest star on the Law & Order television series episode "Empire" with series regular Benjamin Bratt (at that time her boyfriend). Also in 1999 she starred in the critically panned film Stepmom (1998) alongside Susan Sarandon.
2001–2005
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| Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Matt Damon, Andy García, Julia, cast of Ocean's Eleven along with director Steven Soderbergh in December 2001. |
In 2001 Roberts received the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Erin Brockovich, who helped wage a successful lawsuit against energy giant Pacific Gas & Electric. While presenting the Best Actor Award to Denzel Washington the following year she made a gaffe, saying she was glad that Tom Conti wasn't there. She meant the conductor, Bill Conti, who had tried to hasten the conclusion of her Oscar speech the previous year, but instead named the Scottish actor.Roberts team with Erin Brockovich director Steven Soderbergh for three more films: Ocean's Eleven (2001), Full Frontal (2002), and Ocean's Twelve (2004). Later in 2001 she starred in the road gangster comedy, The Mexican, giving her a chance to work with long-time friend, Brad Pitt. In 2005 she was featured in the music video for the hit single "Dreamgirl" by the Dave Matthews Band; it was her first music video appearance.
2006–present
Roberts had two films released in 2006, The Ant Bully and Charlotte's Web. Both films were animated features for which she provided voice acting. Her next film was Charlie Wilson's War (2007), with Tom Hanks and Philip Seymour Hoffman, directed by Mike Nichols and based on the book by former CBS journalist George Crile; it was released on December 21, 2007. Fireflies in the Garden (2008), also starring Ryan Reynolds and Willem Dafoe, was released at the Berlin International Film Festival in February 2008.
Roberts made her Broadway debut on April 19, 2006 as Nan in a revival of Richard Greenberg's 1997 play Three Days of Rain opposite Bradley Cooper and Paul Rudd. Although the play grossed nearly US$1 million dollars in ticket sales during its first week and was a commercial success throughout its limited run, her performance drew criticism. New York Times' critic Ben Brantly described her as being fraught with "self-consciousness (especially in the first act) and] only glancingly acquainted with the two characters she plays." Brantley also criticized the production of "Greenberg's slender, elegant play," writing that “it's almost impossible to discern its artistic virtues from this wooden and splintered interpretation, directed by Joe Mantello."[30] Three Days of Rain received two Tony Award nominations in stagecraft categories. In 2009, Lancôme announced that Roberts would become their global ambassador for their company.Julia starred with Clive Owen in the comedy-thriller Duplicity for which she received her seventh Golden Globe nomination. In 2010, she appeared in the ensemble romantic comedy Valentine's Day, with Cooper, and starred in the film adaptation of Eat Pray Love. Eat Pray Love had the highest debut at the box office for Roberts in a top-billed role since America's Sweethearts. Later in the year, she signed a five-year extension with Lancôme for GB£32 million (US$50 million). In 2011, she co-starred as Mercedes Tainot opposite Tom Hanks who directed and played the title role in the romantic comedy Larry Crowne. The movie has received generally bad reviews with only 35% of the 175 Rotten Tomatoes reviews giving it high ratings, although Roberts' comedic performance was praised.
American Girl films
Roberts has brought to life some of the books from American Girl as films, serving as executive producer alongside her sister Lisa. The company's product lines and services are focused on pre-teen-girl characters from various periods of American history, embodied as dolls and featured in narratives including books and movies. Roberts has produced four movies.
Beliefs
Roberts disclosed in a 2010 interview for Elle magazine that she believes in and practices Hinduism. Roberts is a devotee of Neem Karoli Baba (Maharaj-ji). A picture of Neem Karoli Baba drew Roberts to Hinduism.
Charities
Roberts has given her time and resources to UNICEF as well as to other charitable organizations. On May 10, 1995, Roberts arrived in Port-au-Prince, as she said, "to educate myself". The poverty she found was overwhelming. "My heart is just bursting", she said. UNICEF officials hoped that her six-day visit would trigger an outburst of giving: $10 million in aid was sought at the time.
In 2000, Roberts narrated Silent Angels, a documentary about Rett syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder, which was shot in Los Angeles, Baltimore and New York. The documentary was designed to help raise public awareness about the disease. In July 2006, Earth Biofuels announced Roberts as a spokeswoman for the company and as chair of the company's newly formed Advisory Board promoting the use of renewable fuels.
Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
Film
1987 Firehouse Babs
1988 Blood Red Maria Collogero
1988 Mystic Pizza Daisy Arujo Nominated—Independent Spirit Award for Best Lead Female
Nominated—Young Artist Award for Best Young Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama
1988 Satisfaction Daryle Also known as Girls of Summer
1989 Steel Magnolias Shelby Eatenton Latcherie Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture
Nominated—Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress
1990 Flatliners Rachel Mannus Nominated—Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress
1990 Pretty Woman Vivian Ward Blimp Award for Favorite Movie Actress
Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
Nominated—Academy Award for Best Actress
Nominated—BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role
1991 Hook Tinkerbell Nominated—Razzie Award for Worst Supporting Actress
1991 Dying Young Hilary O'Neil Nominated—MTV Movie Award for Best Female Performance
Nominated—MTV Movie Award for Most Desirable Female
1991 Sleeping with the Enemy Sara Waters/Laura Burney Nominated—Saturn Award for Best Actress
1992 The Player Cameo
1993 The Pelican Brief Darby Shaw Nominated—MTV Movie Award for Best Female Performance
1994 Prêt-à-Porter Anne Eisenhower Also known as Ready to Wear
National Board of Review Award for Best Cast
1994 I Love Trouble Sabrina Peterson
1995 Something to Talk About Grace King Bichon
1996 Everyone Says I Love You Von Sidell
1996 Michael Collins Kitty Kiernan
1996 Mary Reilly Mary Reilly Nominated—Razzie Award for Worst Actress
1997 Conspiracy Theory Alice Sutton Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actress – Suspense
1997 My Best Friend's Wedding Julianne Potter Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actress – Comedy
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
Nominated—MTV Movie Award for Best Female Performance
1998 Stepmom Isabel Kelly Nominated—Blimp Award for Favorite Movie Actress
Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actress – Drama
1999 Runaway Bride Maggie Carpenter Nominated—Blimp Award for Favorite Movie Actress (also for Notting Hill)
Nominated—Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actress – Comedy/Romance
Nominated—Csapnivalo Award for Best Female Performance
Nominated—MTV Movie Award for Best Female Performance
1999 Notting Hill Anna Scott Nominated—Blimp Award for Favorite Movie Actress (also for Runaway Bride)
Nominated—Blimp Award for Favorite Movie Couple (shared with Hugh Grant)
Nominated—Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actress – Comedy/Romance
Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
2000 Erin Brockovich Erin Brockovich Academy Award for Best Actress
BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role
Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress
Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Actress – Drama
Empire Award for Best Actress
Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama
London Film Critics Circle Film Award for Actress of the Year
Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress
MTV Movie Award for Best Female Performance
National Board of Review Award for Best Actress
San Diego Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Teen Choice Award for Film – Choice Actress
Nominated—Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress
Nominated—Las Vegas Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress
Nominated—MTV Movie Award for Best Line from a Movie (For "Bite my ass, Krispy Kreme!")
Nominated—MTV Movie Award for Most Desirable Female
Nominated—Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Actress
Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Actress - Motion Picture Drama
2001 Ocean's Eleven Tess Ocean Nominated—Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Cast
2001 America's Sweethearts Kathleen "Kiki" Harrison
2001 The Mexican Samantha Barzel Nominated—Teen Choice Award for Film – Choice Chemistry (Shared with Brad Pitt)
2002 Confessions of a Dangerous Mind Patricia Watson
2002 Grand Champion Jolene
2002 Full Frontal Catherine/Francesca
2003 Mona Lisa Smile Katherine Ann Watson
2004 Ocean's Twelve Tess Ocean Nominated—Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Cast
2004 Closer Anna Cameron National Board of Review Award for Best Cast
Nominated—Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best Cast
2006 Charlotte's Web Charlotte the Spider (voice)
2006 Beslan: Three Days In September Narrator
2006 The Ant Bully Hova (voice) Nominated—Blimp Award for Favorite Voice From an Animated Movie
2007 Charlie Wilson's War Joanne Herring Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress – Motion Picture
2008 Fireflies in the Garden Lisa Waechter
2009 Duplicity Claire Stenwick Nominated—Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
2010 Valentine's Day Kate Nominated—People's Choice Award for Favorite Movie Actress (also for Eat Pray Love)
2010 Eat Pray Love Elizabeth Gilbert Nominated—People's Choice Award for Favorite Movie Actress (also for Valentine's Day)
2011 Larry Crowne Mercedes Tainot
2012 Snow White 3D (working title) The Wicked Queen
2012 August: Osage County Barbara Fordham
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