Career Timeline of Julia Roberts: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of Julia Roberts, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Julia Roberts is a highly acclaimed American actress renowned for her versatile performances across various genres. She gained prominence through leading roles in romantic comedies and blockbusters, portraying charming and relatable characters. Roberts has since expanded her repertoire to include dramas, thrillers, and independent films. Her talent has been recognized with numerous accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and three Golden Globe Awards, solidifying her status as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
1953: Portrayal of art history professor in Mona Lisa Smile
In 1953, Julia Roberts portrayed a forward-thinking art history professor at Wellesley College in the film 'Mona Lisa Smile'. She received a record $25 million for the role, which was the highest ever earned by an actress at the time.
February 13, 1987: Television Debut in Crime Story
On February 13, 1987, Julia Roberts made her first television appearance as a juvenile rape victim in 'Crime Story'.
1988: Breakthrough role in Mystic Pizza
In 1988, Julia Roberts had an early breakthrough role in the film 'Mystic Pizza'.
1988: Big Screen Debut and Role in Miami Vice
In 1988, Julia Roberts made her big screen debut in 'Satisfaction' and had a role in 'Miami Vice'. She also starred in 'Mystic Pizza'.
1989: Starred in Steel Magnolias
In 1989, Julia Roberts starred in 'Steel Magnolias', receiving her first Academy Award nomination and Golden Globe Award win.
1989: Blood Red Release
In 1989, the film 'Blood Red', which Julia Roberts filmed a small role in 1987, was released.
1990: Starred in Flatliners
In 1990, Julia Roberts starred in 'Flatliners', a supernatural thriller.
1991: Starred in Sleeping with the Enemy, Hook, and Dying Young
In 1991, Julia Roberts starred in 'Sleeping with the Enemy', 'Hook', and 'Dying Young'.
1992: Cameo in The Player and Media Attention
In 1992, Julia Roberts made a cameo in 'The Player'. In this year or early 1993, she was the subject of a People magazine cover story.
1993: Starred in The Pelican Brief
In 1993, Julia Roberts starred in 'The Pelican Brief' with Denzel Washington.
1994: Starred in I Love Trouble and Prêt-à-Porter
In 1994, Julia Roberts starred in 'I Love Trouble' and 'Prêt-à-Porter'.
1995: Starred in Something to Talk About
In 1995, Julia Roberts starred in 'Something to Talk About'.
1995: "Rainmaker for women's films"
In 1995, The New York Times described Julia Roberts as a "rainmaker for women's films", highlighting her influence on a film's success.
1996: Guest Starred in Friends and Starred in Michael Collins and Mary Reilly
In 1996, Julia Roberts guest-starred in 'Friends' and appeared in the films 'Michael Collins' and 'Mary Reilly'.
1997: Starred in My Best Friend's Wedding and Conspiracy Theory
In 1997, Julia Roberts starred in 'My Best Friend's Wedding', receiving high praise, and 'Conspiracy Theory'.
1997: Starred in My Best Friend's Wedding
In 1997, Julia Roberts starred in 'My Best Friend's Wedding', which renewed her success in romantic comedies.
1998: Appeared on Sesame Street and Starred in Stepmom
In 1998, Julia Roberts appeared on 'Sesame Street' and starred in the drama 'Stepmom'.
1999: Starred in Notting Hill and Runaway Bride
In 1999, Julia Roberts starred in 'Notting Hill' and 'Runaway Bride', both successful romantic comedies.
2000: Included on The Hollywood Reporter's list
In 2000, Julia Roberts became the first actress to be included on The Hollywood Reporter's list of the 50 most influential women in show business.
2000: Narration of Rett Syndrome Documentary
In 2000, Julia Roberts narrated a documentary about Rett syndrome to raise public awareness about the disease.
2000: Starred in Erin Brockovich and Made Hollywood Reporter's List
In 2000, Julia Roberts starred in 'Erin Brockovich' and became the first actress to be paid $20 million for a film. She also became the first actress to make The Hollywood Reporter's list of the 50 most influential women in show business since the list had begun in 1992.
2000: Won Academy Award for Erin Brockovich
In 2000, Julia Roberts won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in 'Erin Brockovich'.
2001: Release of The Mexican, America's Sweethearts, and Ocean's Eleven
In 2001, Julia Roberts starred in 'The Mexican' with Brad Pitt, 'America's Sweethearts' with Billy Crystal, John Cusack, and Catherine Zeta-Jones, and 'Ocean's Eleven' with George Clooney and Brad Pitt. 'The Mexican' earned $66.8 million in North America, 'America's Sweethearts' grossed over $138 million worldwide, and 'Ocean's Eleven' became the fifth highest-grossing film of the year with $450 million worldwide.
2001: Starred in Ocean's Eleven
In 2001, Julia Roberts starred in the film 'Ocean's Eleven'.
2002: Ranked most bankable star
In 2002, Julia Roberts became the first woman to be ranked the most bankable star in Hollywood.
2004: Role in Closer and Ocean's Twelve
In 2004, Julia Roberts replaced Cate Blanchett in the film 'Closer' and reprised her role as Tess Ocean in 'Ocean's Twelve'.
2004: Executive Producer for American Girl Films
In 2004, Julia Roberts served as an executive producer for the first four films of the American Girl franchise through her production company, Red Om Films.
2004: Starred in Ocean's Twelve
In 2004, Julia Roberts starred in the film 'Ocean's Twelve'.
2005: Appearance in Dreamgirl music video
In 2005, Julia Roberts was featured in the music video for the single "Dreamgirl" by the Dave Matthews Band. This was her first music video appearance.
April 19, 2006: Broadway Debut in Three Days of Rain
On April 19, 2006, Julia Roberts made her Broadway debut as Nan in a revival of Richard Greenberg's play 'Three Days of Rain'.
2006: Spokeswoman for Earth Biofuels
In 2006, Julia Roberts became a spokeswoman for Earth Biofuels and chair of its advisory board, promoting renewable fuels.
2006: Endorsement deal with Gianfranco Ferre
In 2006, Julia Roberts signed a $6 million endorsement deal with fashion label Gianfranco Ferre and was photographed by Mario Testino for the brand's advertising campaign.
2007: Role in Charlie Wilson's War
In 2007, Julia Roberts starred as Joanne Herring in 'Charlie Wilson's War', which earned her a sixth Golden Globe nomination.
2008: Executive Producer for American Girl Films
By 2008, Julia Roberts continued to serve as an executive producer for the first four films of the American Girl franchise through her production company, Red Om Films.
2008: End of American Girl Film Series Production
In 2008, Julia Roberts concluded her work as executive producer for the first four films of the American Girl film series.
2008: Screening of Fireflies in the Garden at Berlin International Film Festival
In 2008, the independent drama 'Fireflies in the Garden', starring Julia Roberts, was screened at the Berlin International Film Festival.
2009: Starring in Duplicity
In 2009, Julia Roberts starred in the comic thriller 'Duplicity' and received her seventh Golden Globe nomination for her performance.
2009: The New Yorker critic's assessment
In 2009, a critic for The New Yorker suggested that Julia Roberts' technical abilities might not always match the emotional depth required for audiences to fully connect with her performances, partly due to the distance she maintains in her public persona.
2009: Lancôme's Global Ambassador
Since 2009, Julia Roberts has been Lancôme's global ambassador, involved in the development and promotion of cosmetics and beauty products.
2009: Global Ambassador for Lancôme
Since 2009, Julia Roberts has been the global ambassador for Lancôme.
2010: Roles in Valentine's Day, and Eat Pray Love
In 2010, Julia Roberts played a U.S. Army captain in 'Valentine's Day' and starred in 'Eat Pray Love'.
2010: Five-year extension with Lancôme
In 2010, Julia Roberts signed a five-year extension with Lancôme for $50 million, continuing her role as the brand's global ambassador.
2011: North American Release of Fireflies in the Garden
In 2011, the film "Fireflies in the Garden" starring Julia Roberts, was released in North America.
2012: HuffPost writer on Julia Roberts' Career
In 2012, HuffPost writer Mike Ryan suggested that Julia Roberts' career has relied more on her star power than on widespread acclaim for her acting.
2012: Portrayal of Queen Clementianna in Mirror Mirror
In 2012, Julia Roberts portrayed Queen Clementianna in 'Mirror Mirror'.
2013: Participation in Gucci's Chime for Change campaign
In 2013, Julia Roberts participated in Gucci's "Chime for Change" campaign to spread female empowerment.
2013: Starring in August: Osage County
In 2013, Julia Roberts starred in 'August: Osage County' and earned nominations for several awards, including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
2014: Narration of Women in Hollywood
In 2014, Julia Roberts narrated "Women in Hollywood", an episode of Makers: Women Who Make America.
2014: Voice of Mother Nature
In 2014, Julia Roberts was the voice of Mother Nature in a short film for Conservation International's 'Nature Is Speaking' campaign, raising awareness about climate change.
2015: Givenchy Campaign and Secret in Their Eyes
In 2015, Julia Roberts appeared in Givenchy's spring–summer campaign and starred in 'Secret in Their Eyes'.
2016: Roles in Mother's Day and Money Monster
In 2016, Julia Roberts reunited with Garry Marshall in 'Mother's Day' and starred in Jodie Foster's thriller 'Money Monster'.
2017: Selectivity in choosing roles
By 2017, Julia Roberts stated that she no longer actively pursued roles, waiting instead for opportunities to arise, and maintained that she is selective about her projects.
2017: Roles in Wonder and Smurfs: The Lost Village
In 2017, Julia Roberts starred in 'Wonder' and voiced a character in 'Smurfs: The Lost Village'.
2017: Starred in Wonder
In 2017, Julia Roberts starred in the film 'Wonder'.
November 2018: Premiere of Homecoming
In November 2018, Julia Roberts's first regular television project, the psychological thriller series 'Homecoming', premiered on Amazon Video, and she received a Golden Globe nomination.
2018: Starred in Homecoming
In 2018, Julia Roberts starred in the first season of the streaming series 'Homecoming'.
2019: Golden Globe nominations as of 2019
As of 2019, Julia Roberts has garnered eight Golden Globe nominations for her performances.
2021: Global face of Chopard's Happy Sport and Happy Diamonds collections
Since 2021, Julia Roberts has been the global face of Chopard's Happy Sport and Happy Diamonds collections campaigns.
October 21, 2022: Release of Ticket to Paradise
On October 21, 2022, Julia Roberts reunited with George Clooney for the release of the romantic comedy 'Ticket to Paradise'.
2022: Starred in Ticket to Paradise and Gaslit
In 2022, Julia Roberts starred in 'Ticket to Paradise' and the television series 'Gaslit'.
2022: Highest grossing films as of 2022
In 2022, it was noted that Julia Roberts' films have earned the most at the box office.
2023: Named Chopard's Global Brand Ambassador
In 2023, Chopard announced Julia Roberts as its Global Brand Ambassador.
2023: Starring in Leave the World Behind
In 2023, Julia Roberts starred as Amanda Sandford in the film 'Leave the World Behind'.
2024: Narration of Lisa Marie Presley's Memoir
In 2024, Julia Roberts and Riley Keough are scheduled to narrate the audiobook version of Lisa Marie Presley's memoir, 'From Here to the Great Unknown'.
February 28, 2025: Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters
On February 28, 2025, Julia Roberts was honored by French Minister of Culture Rachida Dati as a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters (Chevalier de l'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres) for her significant contribution to world cinema.
2025: Set to star in After the Hunt
In 2025, Julia Roberts is slated to appear in 'After the Hunt'.
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