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 successful American actress renowned for her versatility across genres. She gained fame for her charming roles in romantic comedies and blockbusters, later expanding into dramas and independent films. Her films have grossed over $3.9 billion worldwide, establishing her as one of Hollywood's most bankable stars. Roberts has received numerous awards, including an Academy Award and multiple Golden Globe Awards. Her widespread popularity and charisma have earned her the nickname 'America’s Sweetheart'.
1953: Portrayal of a 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.
February 13, 1987: First Television Appearance in Crime Story
On February 13, 1987, Julia Roberts made her first television appearance as a juvenile rape victim in an episode of Crime Story.
1988: Early Breakthrough in Mystic Pizza
In 1988, Julia Roberts had an early breakthrough role in Mystic Pizza.
1988: Big Screen Debut in Satisfaction 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 gained critical success with Mystic Pizza.
1989: Academy Award Nomination
In 1989, Julia Roberts gained further notice from worldwide audiences following her Academy Award Nomination.
1989: Small Role in Blood Red
In 1989, Julia Roberts had a small role in Blood Red, though it was filmed in 1987, where she only had two words of dialogue.
1989: Breakthrough in Steel Magnolias
In 1989, Julia Roberts solidified her status as a leading lady in Steel Magnolias.
1990: Starred in Pretty Woman
In 1990, Julia Roberts starred in Pretty Woman with Richard Gere, earning her a second Oscar nomination and Golden Globe Award win.
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. Despite negative reviews, these films grossed significant amounts globally.
1992: Cameo Appearance in The Player
In 1992, Julia Roberts made a cameo appearance in Robert Altman's The Player.
1992: First Actress to make the Hollywood Reporter's list
Since 1992, Julia Roberts also became the first actress to make The Hollywood Reporter's list of the 50 most influential women in show business.
1993: Starred in The Pelican Brief
In 1993, Julia Roberts starred with Denzel Washington in the thriller The Pelican Brief, based on John Grisham's 1992 novel.
1994: Starred in I Love Trouble and Prêt-à-Porter
In 1994, Julia Roberts starred in I Love Trouble and Prêt-à-Porter, which were not well-received.
1995: Starred in Something to Talk About
In 1995, Julia Roberts starred in Something to Talk About, which was not a big box office draw.
1995: "Rainmaker for women's films"
In 1995, The New York Times’ Josh Young described Julia Roberts as a "rainmaker for women's films", highlighting her ability to guarantee a film's opening weekend audience.
1996: Guest-Starred in Friends and Michael Collins
In 1996, Julia Roberts guest-starred in Friends and appeared in the historical drama Michael Collins.
1997: Starred in My Best Friend's Wedding and Conspiracy Theory
In 1997, Julia Roberts starred in My Best Friend's Wedding and Conspiracy Theory, marking a renewed success in romantic comedies.
1997: Starred in My Best Friend's Wedding
In 1997, Julia Roberts starred in the romantic comedy My Best Friend's Wedding.
1998: Appeared on Sesame Street and Starred in Stepmom
In 1998, Julia Roberts appeared on Sesame Street and starred in the drama Stepmom with Susan Sarandon.
1999: Starred in Notting Hill and Runaway Bride and Guest Starred in Law & Order
In 1999, Julia Roberts starred in Notting Hill and Runaway Bride with Richard Gere, both being commercially successful. Roberts also guest starred in Law & Order, earning a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.
1999: Starred in Notting Hill and Runaway Bride
In 1999, Julia Roberts starred in Notting Hill and Runaway Bride, both commercially successful films.
2000: Most Influential Women in Show Business
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, ranking third overall.
2000: First Actress to Earn $20 Million for a Film and Academy Award Win
In 2000, Julia Roberts became the first actress to be paid $20 million for a film, Erin Brockovich. She also won the Academy Award for Best Actress and other accolades. She also became the first actress to make The Hollywood Reporter's list.
2000: Earned $20 Million for Erin Brockovich
In 2000, Julia Roberts became the first actress to be paid $20 million for a film, for her role in Erin Brockovich.
2000: Narration of Rett Syndrome Documentary
In 2000, Julia Roberts narrated a documentary about Rett syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder, to raise public awareness about the disease.
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', a road gangster comedy with Brad Pitt, followed by 'America's Sweethearts', a romantic comedy with Billy Crystal, John Cusack, and Catherine Zeta-Jones. She also teamed up with director Steven Soderbergh for 'Ocean's Eleven', a remake of the 1960 film, playing Tess Ocean alongside George Clooney and Brad Pitt. 'Ocean's Eleven' became the fifth highest-grossing film of the year.
2001: Starred in Ocean's Eleven
In 2001, Julia Roberts starred in Ocean's Eleven.
2002: Most Bankable Star in Hollywood
In 2002, Julia Roberts became the first woman to be ranked the most bankable star in Hollywood based on an industry poll by The Hollywood Reporter, tying with Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks.
2003: Earned $25 Million for Mona Lisa Smile
In 2003, Julia Roberts earned $25 million for her role in Mona Lisa Smile.
2004: Executive Producer for American Girl Franchise
From 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: Role in Closer and Ocean's Twelve
In 2004, Julia Roberts replaced Cate Blanchett in the film Closer, and she reprised her role as Tess Ocean in Ocean's Twelve.
2004: Starred in Ocean's Twelve
In 2004, Julia Roberts starred in 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, marking her first music video appearance.
April 19, 2006: Broadway Debut
On April 19, 2006, Julia Roberts made her Broadway debut as Nan in a revival of Richard Greenberg's 1997 play Three Days of Rain opposite Bradley Cooper and Paul Rudd. While commercially successful, her performance received criticism.
2006: Spokeswoman for Earth Biofuels
In 2006, Julia Roberts became a spokeswoman for Earth Biofuels and chair of the company's advisory board, promoting the use of 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.
2006: Voice Acting Roles and Broadway Debut
In 2006, Julia Roberts voiced a nurse ant in 'The Ant Bully' and a barn spider in 'Charlotte's Web'. On April 19, 2006, she made her Broadway debut in 'Three Days of Rain', which received mixed reviews.
2007: Role in Charlie Wilson's War
In 2007, Julia Roberts starred as Joanne Herring in 'Charlie Wilson's War', receiving her sixth Golden Globe nomination.
2008: Screening of Fireflies in the Garden
In 2008, the independent drama 'Fireflies in the Garden', starring Julia Roberts, was screened at the Berlin International Film Festival.
2008: Executive Producer for American Girl film series
Through 2008, Julia Roberts continued to serve as an executive producer for the American Girl film series through Red Om Films.
2009: Starring in Duplicity
In 2009, Julia Roberts starred in the comic thriller 'Duplicity' alongside Clive Owen, receiving her seventh Golden Globe nomination for her performance.
2009: Public Persona and Acting
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 their 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 the film adaptation of 'Eat Pray Love'.
2010: Lancôme extension
In 2010, Julia Roberts signed a five-year extension with Lancôme for $50 million to continue as their global ambassador.
2011: North American Release of Fireflies in the Garden
In 2011, the movie Fireflies in the Garden, which had been screened in 2008, finally got a North American release.
2012: Career Reliance on Star Power
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 the film 'Mirror Mirror', a Tarsem Singh adaptation of Snow White.
2013: Participation in Gucci's Chime for Change Campaign
In 2013, Julia Roberts participated in Gucci's "Chime for Change" campaign, aimed at spreading female empowerment.
2013: Starring in August: Osage County
In 2013, Julia Roberts starred in 'August: Osage County', earning 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 the second season of Makers: Women Who Make America.
2014: Voice of Mother Nature in Conservation International Film
In 2014, Julia Roberts was the voice of Mother Nature in a short film for the Conservation International campaign Nature Is Speaking, which was intended to raise awareness about climate change.
2015: Appearance in 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', a remake of the 2009 Argentine film.
2016: Mother's Day and Money Monster Releases
In 2016, Julia Roberts starred in 'Mother's Day' and 'Money Monster', reuniting with Garry Marshall for 'Mother's Day'.
2017: Selective About Roles
By 2017, Julia Roberts stated that she no longer actively pursued roles but instead waited to see what opportunities arose, remaining selective about her projects.
2017: Roles in Wonder and Smurfs: The Lost Village
In 2017, Julia Roberts starred in 'Wonder' and voiced a Smurf leader in 'Smurfs: The Lost Village'.
November 2018: Premiere of Homecoming on Amazon Video
In November 2018, Julia Roberts starred in Homecoming. The psychological thriller series premiered on Amazon Video, marking Roberts' first regular television project.
2018: First Regular TV Appearance in Homecoming
In 2018, Julia Roberts made her first regular television appearance in the first season of the Amazon Prime Video psychological thriller series Homecoming.
2021: Highest-Grossing Films as of 2021
As of 2021, Julia Roberts's films have earned significantly at the box office.
2021: Global face of Chopard's Happy Sport and Happy Diamonds collections
In 2021, Julia Roberts starred as 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, Ticket to Paradise, starring Julia Roberts and George Clooney, was released by Universal Pictures.
2022: Starred in Ticket to Paradise and Gaslit
In 2022, Julia Roberts starred in Ticket to Paradise and Gaslit. She also portrayed Martha Mitchell in the Starz political limited series Gaslit.
2023: Global Brand Ambassador for Chopard
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, which is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Rumaan Alam.
July 21, 2024: Endorsement of President Joe Biden
Julia Roberts endorsed President Joe Biden for re-election in 2024 and participated in related fundraising activities. However, on July 21, 2024, Joe Biden ended his re-election campaign.
2024: Narration of Lisa Marie Presley's Memoir
In 2024, Julia Roberts and Riley Keough are set to narrate the audiobook version of Lisa Marie Presley's memoir, From Here to the Great Unknown.
2024: Support for Kamala Harris
In 2024, Julia Roberts supported Kamala Harris during the United States presidential election, appearing at a rally and voicing a political advertisement. Donald Trump criticized her role in the advertisement.
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