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 leading roles across diverse film genres. She has won an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and three Golden Globe Awards. Her films have grossed over $3.9 billion worldwide, establishing her as a major box office draw in Hollywood. She gained prominence with roles in Mystic Pizza and Steel Magnolias, followed by her breakthrough role in the commercially successful romantic comedy Pretty Woman.
1953: Portrayal of Art History Professor in "Mona Lisa Smile"
Julia Roberts portrayed a forward-thinking art history professor at Wellesley College in 1953, for the movie 'Mona Lisa Smile', receiving a record $25 million for the role.
February 13, 1987: First Television Appearance
On February 13, 1987, Julia Roberts made her first television appearance as a juvenile rape victim in Crime Story.
1988: Appearance in Mystic Pizza
In 1988, Julia Roberts had an early breakthrough with an appearance in Mystic Pizza.
1988: Big Screen Debut in Satisfaction
In 1988, Julia Roberts made her big screen debut in the dramedy Satisfaction.
1989: Role in Blood Red
In 1989, Blood Red with Julia Roberts was released, though she had filmed a small role in 1987.
1989: Appearance in Steel Magnolias
In 1989, Julia Roberts had an early breakthrough with an appearance in Steel Magnolias.
1989: Starred in Steel Magnolias
In 1989, Julia Roberts starred in Steel Magnolias as a young bride with diabetes. She received her first Academy Award nomination and Golden Globe Award win for her performance.
1990: Headline in Pretty Woman
In 1990, Julia Roberts established herself as a leading actress when she headlined the top-grossing romantic comedy Pretty Woman.
1990: Starred in Pretty Woman
In 1990, Julia Roberts starred in Pretty Woman with Richard Gere. The role earned her a second Oscar nomination and second Golden Globe Award win.
1990: Starred in Flatliners
In 1990, following Pretty Woman, Julia Roberts starred in the supernatural thriller Flatliners.
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
In 1992, Julia Roberts appeared in no films other than a cameo appearance in Robert Altman's The Player.
1993: Starred in The Pelican Brief
In 1993, Julia Roberts starred with Denzel Washington in the thriller The Pelican Brief.
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.
1996: Guest Starred in Friends and Appeared in Michael Collins and Mary Reilly
In 1996, Julia Roberts guest-starred in Friends and appeared with Liam Neeson in Michael Collins. She also appeared in Mary Reilly.
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.
1997: Starred in My Best Friend's Wedding
In 1997, Julia Roberts starred in the commercially successful film 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.
1999: Starred in Notting Hill and Runaway Bride
In 1999, Julia Roberts paired with Hugh Grant for Notting Hill and reunited with Richard Gere for Runaway Bride. She was also a guest star in Law & Order.
1999: Starred in Notting Hill and Runaway Bride
In 1999, Julia Roberts starred in the romantic comedies Notting Hill and Runaway Bride.
2000: Narration of Rett Syndrome Documentary
In 2000, Julia Roberts narrated a documentary about Rett syndrome to raise public awareness.
2000: Received $20 Million for Erin Brockovich
In 2000, Julia Roberts received a then-unprecedented fee of $20 million for her role in Erin Brockovich.
2000: Starred in Erin Brockovich and Received Recognition
In 2000, Julia Roberts starred in Erin Brockovich, becoming the first actress to be paid $20 million for a film. She also won the Academy Award for Best Actress and became the first actress to make The Hollywood Reporter's list of the 50 most influential women in show business.
2000: Won Academy Award for Erin Brockovich
In 2000, Julia Roberts won the Academy Award for Best Actress for playing the title role in Erin Brockovich.
2001: Starred in Ocean's Eleven
In 2001, Julia Roberts achieved further film success with Ocean's Eleven.
2001: Releases 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 and John Cusack, and 'Ocean's Eleven' with George Clooney and Brad Pitt, directed by Steven Soderbergh.
2003: Received $25 Million for Mona Lisa Smile
In 2003, Julia Roberts received a then-unprecedented fee of $25 million for her role in Mona Lisa Smile.
2004: Executive Producer for American Girl Films
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: Starred in Ocean's Twelve
In 2004, Julia Roberts achieved further film success with Ocean's Twelve.
2004: Starring in 'Closer' and 'Ocean's Twelve'
In 2004, Julia Roberts replaced Cate Blanchett in 'Closer' and reprised her role as Tess Ocean in 'Ocean's Twelve'.
2004: Executive Producer for American Girl Films
Starting in 2004, Julia Roberts, through her company Red Om Films, served as an executive producer for the first four films of the American Girl film series.
2005: Music Video Appearance in "Dreamgirl"
In 2005, Julia Roberts appeared in the music video for the single "Dreamgirl" by the Dave Matthews Band, marking 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', though her performance received criticism.
2006: Spokesperson for Earth Biofuels
In 2006, Julia Roberts became a spokeswoman for Earth Biofuels and chair of its advisory board.
2006: Endorsement Deal with Gianfranco Ferré
In 2006, Julia Roberts signed an endorsement deal with Gianfranco Ferré, valued at $6 million.
2007: Starred in Charlie Wilson's War
In 2007, Julia Roberts achieved further film success with Charlie Wilson's War.
2007: Starring in 'Charlie Wilson's War'
In 2007, Julia Roberts starred as Joanne Herring in 'Charlie Wilson's War', earning her a Golden Globe nomination.
2008: Screening of 'Fireflies in the Garden' at Berlin International Film Festival
In 2008, 'Fireflies in the Garden', starring Julia Roberts, was screened at the Berlin International Film Festival.
2008: Executive Producer for American Girl Films
Until 2008, Julia Roberts served as an executive producer for the first four films of the American Girl franchise through her production company, Red Om Films.
2008: Executive Producer for American Girl Films
Until 2008, Julia Roberts, through her company Red Om Films, served as an executive producer for the first four films of the American Girl film series.
2009: Starring in 'Duplicity'
In 2009, Julia Roberts starred in the comic thriller 'Duplicity' with Clive Owen, receiving praise for her performance and earning a Golden Globe nomination.
2009: Global Ambassador for Lancôme
Since 2009, Julia Roberts has acted as the global ambassador for Lancôme.
2009: Lancôme Global Ambassador
Since 2009, Julia Roberts has been Lancôme's global ambassador.
2010: Starred in Valentine's Day and Eat Pray Love
In 2010, Julia Roberts achieved further film success with Valentine's Day and Eat Pray Love.
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.
2011: North American Release of 'Fireflies in the Garden'
The film 'Fireflies in the Garden', starring Julia Roberts, was released in North America in 2011, after being shown in European cinemas in 2008.
2012: Portrayal of the Evil Queen in 'Mirror Mirror'
In 2012, Julia Roberts portrayed Queen Clementianna, the evil stepmother, in 'Mirror Mirror'.
2013: Starred in August: Osage County
In 2013, Julia Roberts achieved further film success with August: Osage County.
2013: Participation in Gucci's "Chime for Change" campaign
In 2013, Julia Roberts participated in Gucci's "Chime for Change" campaign to promote female empowerment.
2013: Starring in 'August: Osage County'
In 2013, Julia Roberts starred in 'August: Osage County', earning multiple award nominations for her performance.
2014: Narration of "Women in Hollywood"
In 2014, Julia Roberts narrated "Women in Hollywood", an episode of Makers: Women Who Make America.
2014: Role in 'The Normal Heart'
In 2014, Julia Roberts starred in the television adaptation of 'The Normal Heart', receiving critical acclaim and an Emmy nomination.
2014: Voice of Mother Nature
In 2014, Julia Roberts was the voice of Mother Nature in a short film for the Conservation International campaign Nature Is Speaking to raise 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: Reunion with Garry Marshall in 'Mother's Day' and Starring in 'Money Monster'
In 2016, Julia Roberts reunited with Garry Marshall in 'Mother's Day' and starred in Jodie Foster's thriller 'Money Monster'.
2017: Starred in Wonder
In 2017, Julia Roberts achieved further film success with Wonder.
2017: Starring in 'Wonder' and Voice Role in 'Smurfs: The Lost Village'
In 2017, Julia Roberts starred in 'Wonder' and voiced a character in 'Smurfs: The Lost Village'.
November 2018: Premiere of 'Homecoming'
In November 2018, Julia Roberts's first regular television project, 'Homecoming', premiered on Amazon Video, garnering critical acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination for Roberts.
2018: Regular Role in Homecoming
In 2018, Julia Roberts had her first regular television role in the first season of the Amazon Prime Video psychological thriller series Homecoming.
2021: Highest-grossing films
As of 2021, a list was made of Julia Roberts' highest-grossing films at the box office.
2021: Global face of Chopard
In 2021, 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. Julia Roberts also played Martha Mitchell in "Gaslit".
2022: Starred in Ticket to Paradise and Gaslit
In 2022, Julia Roberts achieved further film success with Ticket to Paradise. She also portrayed Martha Mitchell in the Starz political limited series Gaslit.
2023: Chopard Global Brand Ambassador
In 2023, Chopard announced Roberts as its Global Brand Ambassador.
2023: Starred in Leave the World Behind
In 2023, Julia Roberts achieved further film success with Leave the World Behind.
2023: Starring in 'Leave the World Behind'
In 2023, Julia Roberts starred in 'Leave the World Behind', an adaptation of Rumaan Alam's novel, produced by Barack and Michelle Obama's company.
2024: Narration of Lisa Marie Presley's Memoir
In 2024, Julia Roberts and Riley Keough will narrate the audiobook version of Lisa Marie Presley's memoir 'From Here to the Great Unknown'.