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 and acclaimed American actress, recognized for her leading roles across diverse genres. With accolades including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and three Golden Globe Awards, she rose to fame portraying charming characters in romantic comedies and blockbusters before diversifying into dramas and thrillers. Her films have collectively grossed over $3.9 billion globally, establishing her as one of Hollywood's most bankable stars, earning her the media nickname "America's Sweetheart" due to her widespread appeal and charisma.
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", for which she received a record $25 million.
February 13, 1987: First Television Appearance
On February 13, 1987, Julia Roberts made her first television appearance as a juvenile rape victim in the first season of 'Crime Story', in the episode "The Survivor".
1988: Breakthrough in Mystic Pizza
In 1988, Julia Roberts had an early breakthrough role in the film 'Mystic Pizza'.
1988: Big Screen Debut in Satisfaction
In 1988, Julia Roberts made her big screen debut in the dramedy 'Satisfaction', playing a band member looking for a summer gig. She also had a role in Miami Vice that year and her first critical success with the movie 'Mystic Pizza'.
1989: Academy Award Nomination
In 1989, Julia Roberts earned her first Academy Award nomination for her role in 'Steel Magnolias', paving the way for further recognition.
1989: Starred in Steel Magnolias
In 1989, Julia Roberts starred in 'Steel Magnolias' as a young bride with diabetes, earning her first Academy Award nomination and Golden Globe Award win.
1989: Blood Red Released
In 1989, the film 'Blood Red', which featured Julia Roberts in a small role filmed in 1987, was released.
1990: Starred in Pretty Woman
In 1990, Julia Roberts starred in 'Pretty Woman' alongside 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', receiving negative reviews but achieving commercial success.
1992: Cameo in The Player
In 1992, Julia Roberts took a two-year hiatus from the screen. Her only appearance in a film was a cameo 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', 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 by critics or at the box office.
1995: Starred in Something to Talk About
In 1995, Julia Roberts starred in 'Something to Talk About', which was not particularly well received by critics or a big box office draw.
1995: Rainmaker for women's films
In 1995, Julia Roberts was described as a "rainmaker for women's films" by The New York Times’ Josh Young, noting her ability to guarantee a film's opening weekend audience.
1996: Guest-Starred in Friends and Appeared in Michael Collins
In 1996, Julia Roberts guest-starred in 'Friends' and appeared with Liam Neeson 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', receiving high praise, and also starred in 'Conspiracy Theory' opposite Mel Gibson.
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' opposite Elmo and starred in the drama 'Stepmom' alongside Susan Sarandon.
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 also guest-starred on 'Law & Order'.
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.
2000: Paid $20 Million for Erin Brockovich
In 2000, Julia Roberts became the first actress to be paid $20 million for a film, 'Erin Brockovich'.
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
In 2000, Julia Roberts starred in 'Erin Brockovich', becoming the first actress to be paid $20 million for a film and earning her the Academy Award for Best Actress.
2000: Won Academy Award for Erin Brockovich
In 2000, Julia Roberts won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in the biographical drama 'Erin Brockovich'.
2001: Role in Ocean's Eleven
In 2001, Julia Roberts appeared in 'Ocean's Eleven', adding to her film success.
2001: Release of "The Mexican", "America's Sweethearts", and "Ocean's Eleven"
In 2001, Julia Roberts starred in three films: "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.
2002: Highest-paid actresses list
From 2002, Julia Roberts appeared in The Hollywood Reporter's list of the 10 highest-paid actresses every year until 2005.
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.
2003: Paid $25 Million for Mona Lisa Smile
In 2003, Julia Roberts received $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" film series through Red Om Films.
2004: Acted in Ocean's Twelve
In 2004, Julia Roberts acted in 'Ocean's Twelve'.
2004: Starring 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". "Ocean's Twelve" grossed $363 million worldwide.
2005: Music video appearance for "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", receiving criticism for her performance.
2006: Spokeswoman for Earth Biofuels
In 2006, Julia Roberts became a spokeswoman for Earth Biofuels and chair of its advisory board to promote 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.
2007: Starring in Charlie Wilson's War
In 2007, Julia Roberts starred as Joanne Herring in "Charlie Wilson's War", which received acclaim and earned her a Golden Globe nomination. The film made $119.5 million worldwide.
2008: Fireflies in the Garden screened at Berlin International Film Festival
In 2008, "Fireflies in the Garden", starring Julia Roberts, was screened at the Berlin International Film Festival.
2008: End of production for American Girl films
In 2008, the fourth film of the "American Girl" film series was released, ending Julia Roberts' run as executive producer for the films.
2009: Global ambassador for Lancôme
In 2009, Julia Roberts became the global ambassador for Lancôme, promoting the brand's cosmetics and beauty products.
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: Emotional depth not matching technical abilities
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.
2010: Appearances in Valentine's Day and Eat Pray Love
In 2010, Julia Roberts appeared in "Valentine's Day" and starred in "Eat Pray Love", which had the highest debut at the box office for Roberts in a top-billed role since "America's Sweethearts".
2010: Lancôme extension
In 2010, Julia Roberts signed a five-year extension with Lancôme for $50 million, continuing her role as their 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 American cinemas, after premiering at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2008 and subsequently being shown in European cinemas.
2012: Career based 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 the Evil Queen in Mirror Mirror
In 2012, Julia Roberts portrayed Queen Clementianna, Snow White's evil stepmother, in "Mirror Mirror", which made $183 million globally.
2013: Acted in August: Osage County
In 2013, Julia Roberts appeared in the film 'August: Osage County'.
2013: Chime for Change Campaign
In 2013, Julia Roberts was part of Gucci's "Chime for Change" campaign, promoting female empowerment.
2014: Narrating Women in Hollywood
In 2014, Julia Roberts narrated "Women in Hollywood", an episode of Makers: Women Who Make America.
2014: Starring in The Normal Heart
In 2014, Julia Roberts starred in the television adaptation of Larry Kramer's play "The Normal Heart", receiving critical acclaim and a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award.
2014: Voice of Mother Nature
In 2014, Julia Roberts voiced Mother Nature in a short film for the Conservation International campaign "Nature Is Speaking", intended 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", a remake of the 2009 Argentine film.
2016: Mother's Day and Money Monster
In 2016, Julia Roberts reunited with Garry Marshall in "Mother's Day" and starred in Jodie Foster's "Money Monster", which made $93.3 million worldwide.
2017: Selective about roles
By 2017, Julia Roberts stated that she no longer actively pursued roles but instead waited to see what opportunities arose.
2017: Acted in Wonder
In 2017, Julia Roberts had a role in the movie 'Wonder'.
2017: Starring in Wonder and Smurfs: The Lost Village
In 2017, Julia Roberts starred in "Wonder" and voiced a Smurf leader in "Smurfs: The Lost Village". "Wonder" became one of her most widely seen films, grossing $305.9 million worldwide.
November 2018: Premiere of Homecoming on Amazon Video
In November 2018, Julia Roberts's first regular television project, "Homecoming", premiered on Amazon Video, garnering acclaim and earning her a Golden Globe nomination.
2018: First Regular Television 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'.
2019: Golden Globe nominations
As of 2019, Julia Roberts has garnered eight Golden Globe nominations.
2021: Highest-grossing films
As of 2021, this entry mentions Julia Roberts's films that have earned the most at the box office.
2021: Global face of Chopard's Happy Sport and Happy Diamonds collections
Since 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. She also played Martha Mitchell in Gaslit.
2022: Starred in Ticket to Paradise and Gaslit
In 2022, Julia Roberts starred in 'Ticket to Paradise' and portrayed Martha Mitchell in the Starz political limited series 'Gaslit'.
2023: Global Brand Ambassador for Chopard
In 2023, Chopard had announced Julia Roberts as its Global Brand Ambassador.
2023: Acted in Leave the World Behind
In 2023, Julia Roberts acted in the movie 'Leave the World Behind'.
July 21, 2024: Joe Biden ended his re-election campaign
On July 21, 2024, Joe Biden ended his re-election campaign, but Julia Roberts still endorsed him and has been involved in related fundraising.
2024: Narrating audiobook 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".
2024: Supported Kamala Harris during election
In 2024, Julia Roberts supported Kamala Harris during the United States presidential election, appearing at a campaign rally and voicing a political advertisement.
February 28, 2025: Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters
On February 28, 2025, Julia Roberts was honored as a Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French Minister of Culture for her contribution to world cinema.
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