Biography
Julia Roberts was raised in a fervently pro-theatre environment. Her parents held acting and writing workshops, and both of the Roberts
children (Julia and her brother Eric) showed an interest in the performing arts at an early age.
Eric was the first to break into film; in 1978, one year after their father died of lung cancer at 47, Eric Roberts starred in King of
the Gypsies.
Though her older brother would go on to have a solid acting career, it was, of course, Julia Roberts who earned a place among Hollywood's
elite.
After making her film debut in Blood Red and appearing in several television features, Roberts got her first real break in the
cable drama Satisfaction.That role, consequently, led to her first significant supporting role -- a pizza parlour waitress in
Mystic Pizza with Annabeth Gish.
Mystic Pizza was not a star-making film for Roberts, but she later landed the part of Shelby in Steel Magnolias.
She then secured her role in Flatliners (1990) with former flame Kiefer Sutherland, and then the comedy Pretty Woman with
Richard Gere.
Roberts broke off her engagement with Sutherland in 1991, just three days before they were scheduled to be married.
In 1991 she made Dying Young and Sleeping With the Enemy, and then Hook.
In 1993 she began her two-year marriage to country singer Lyle Lovett.
Also in 1993, her role alongside Denzel Washington in The Pelican Brief reaffirmed her status as a dramatic actress.
In 1994 she made both Prêt-à-Porter and I Love Trouble.
In 1996 there was Conspiracy Theory with Mel Gibson Mary Reilly, and this led to several successful comic roles including
Notting Hill with Hugh Grant, Runaway Bride, and My Best Friend's Wedding with Rupert Everett.
Roberts' biggest success was in 2000, when she delivered an Oscar-winning performance playing the title role in Erin Brockovich.
In 2001 Roberts starred in America's Sweethearts with Billy Crystal, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and John Cusack, as well as
The Mexican with Brad Pitt.
While making The Mexican, Roberts met cameraman Danny Moder, and they were married in 2001.
2001 was a good year for Roberts; in addition to America's Sweethearts and The Mexican, Roberts starred in the crime caper
Ocean's Eleven.
In 2002 Julia starred again in Full Frontal and Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, which featured Roberts as a femme fatale
alongside George Clooney.
In 2003 there was Mona Lisa Smile and she is also starring in the new Ocean's Twelve film.