For decades, Julia Roberts has captured the hearts of audiences around the world. With her dazzling smile, undeniable charm, and talent for both comedy and drama, she has earned the nickname “America’s Sweetheart.”
From unforgettable movie performances to a rich personal life, Julia Roberts remains one of Hollywood’s most beloved and enduring stars. Here is everything you need to know about her best performances, love stories, and life behind the scenes.
Best Performances
Julia Roberts became a household name in the late 1980s and early 1990s thanks to a series of iconic roles. Her breakthrough came with Mystic Pizza (1988), where she played a spirited waitress dreaming of a better life. But it was Pretty Woman (1990) that turned her into a superstar.
As Vivian Ward, a charming Los Angeles escort who falls in love with a wealthy businessman played by Richard Gere, Roberts delivered one of the most memorable romantic performances of all time. She proved her dramatic chops with Steel Magnolias (1989), earning her first Academy Award nomination for her role as Shelby, a young woman battling diabetes.
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Roberts starred in a string of hits like My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997), Notting Hill (1999), and Runaway Bride (1999). In Erin Brockovich (2000), she portrayed a real-life legal assistant who takes on a major energy company accused of polluting a town’s water supply. The role won her an Academy Award for Best Actress and is widely considered one of the finest performances of her career.
Roberts continued to evolve, starring in films like Closer (2004), Charlie Wilson’s War (2007), Eat Pray Love (2010), and August: Osage County (2013), showing her range and maturity as an actress.
Recently, she has also taken on television roles, starring in the critically acclaimed series Homecoming (2018) and Gaslit (2022), based on the Watergate scandal.
Personal Life
Julia Roberts has kept much of her personal life relatively private despite her enormous fame. She was born on October 28, 1967, in Smyrna, Georgia, and grew up dreaming of being a veterinarian before turning to acting.
Family has always been a central part of her life. Roberts is close to her siblings, including actor Eric Roberts, and maintains a strong focus on raising her children away from the spotlight.
In 2002, Roberts married cinematographer Daniel Moder. They met on the set of the film The Mexican. Together, they have three children: twins Hazel and Phinnaeus and a younger son, Henry. Roberts has spoken often about how motherhood changed her priorities, shifting her focus from fame and career to her home life. She and her family split their time between homes in Malibu and New Mexico, far from the Hollywood chaos.
Love Stories
Before finding lasting love with Daniel Moder, Julia Roberts had several highly publicized relationships. She was briefly engaged to actor Kiefer Sutherland in the early 1990s, but the wedding was called off just days before it was set to take place. She also had relationships with actors Dylan McDermott, Liam Neeson, and Matthew Perry.
Roberts was married once before, to country singer Lyle Lovett. They wed in 1993 after a whirlwind romance but divorced less than two years later.
Her love story with Daniel Moder is one of Hollywood’s most quietly enduring marriages. The couple often avoids the public eye but occasionally shares glimpses of their deep bond during interviews and on social media.
Julia Roberts Today
Today, Julia Roberts continues to balance her career with her role as a mother and advocate. She supports several charities, including UNICEF and Stand Up to Cancer, and has long been involved in environmental and humanitarian causes.
In Hollywood, she remains a symbol of grace, intelligence, and authenticity. Whether lighting up the big screen or living a low-key family life, Julia Roberts has proven that you can be a superstar and still stay true to yourself. As new generations discover her timeless films, one thing is clear: Julia Roberts will always be America’s Sweetheart.