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. Renowned for her versatile performances in romantic comedies, dramas, and thrillers, she has garnered numerous awards, including an Academy Award. Her films have grossed over $3.9 billion globally, solidifying her status as one of Hollywood's most bankable stars. She gained widespread popularity and the nickname "America's Sweetheart" due to her on- and off-screen charisma and portrayal of charming characters.
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". She received a record $25 million for the role, the highest ever earned by an actress at that time.
February 13, 1987: First television appearance in Crime Story
On February 13, 1987, Julia Roberts made her first television appearance in the series 'Crime Story', in the episode "The Survivor".
1988: Breakthrough in Mystic Pizza
In 1988, Julia Roberts had an early breakthrough role in 'Mystic Pizza', marking a significant step in her acting career.
1988: Big screen debut in Satisfaction and role in Miami Vice
In 1988, Julia Roberts made her big screen debut in the dramedy 'Satisfaction' and had a role in 'Miami Vice'.
1989: Breakthrough in Steel Magnolias
In 1989, Julia Roberts had an early breakthrough role in 'Steel Magnolias', marking a significant step in her acting career.
1989: Academy Award Nomination
In 1989, Roberts received an Academy Award nomination catapulting her to future success.
1989: Blood Red Release
In 1989, the movie 'Blood Red', filmed in 1987, in which Roberts had a small role, was released.
1990: Starring in Pretty Woman
In 1990, Julia Roberts solidified her status as a leading lady with the romantic comedy 'Pretty Woman'.
1991: Roles 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 People Magazine cover
In 1992, Julia Roberts made a cameo in 'The Player', and in early 1993, she was the subject of a People magazine cover story.
1992: Making The Hollywood Reporter's list
In 2000, Julia Roberts 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.
1993: Starring in The Pelican Brief
In 1993, Julia Roberts starred with Denzel Washington in 'The Pelican Brief'.
1994: Starring in I Love Trouble and Prêt-à-Porter
In 1994, Julia Roberts starred in 'I Love Trouble' and 'Prêt-à-Porter'.
1995: Starring in Something to Talk About
In 1995, Julia Roberts starred in 'Something to Talk About'.
1995: Roberts deemed 'rainmaker for women's films'
In 1995, The New York Times described Julia Roberts as a "rainmaker for women's films," highlighting her ability to guarantee a film's opening weekend audience and even get a project greenlit simply by agreeing to star in it.
1996: Guest appearance in Friends and starring in Michael Collins and Mary Reilly
In 1996, Julia Roberts guest-starred in 'Friends' and appeared in 'Michael Collins' and 'Mary Reilly'.
1997: Starring in My Best Friend's Wedding and Conspiracy Theory
In 1997, Julia Roberts starred in 'My Best Friend's Wedding' and 'Conspiracy Theory'.
1997: Starring in My Best Friend's Wedding
In 1997, Julia Roberts starred in the romantic comedy 'My Best Friend's Wedding'.
1998: Appearance on Sesame Street and starring in Stepmom
In 1998, Julia Roberts appeared on 'Sesame Street' and starred in 'Stepmom'.
1999: Starring in Notting Hill and Runaway Bride
In 1999, Julia Roberts starred in 'Notting Hill' and 'Runaway Bride', and guest-starred in 'Law & Order'.
2000: Roberts on The Hollywood Reporter's list of influential women
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, where she was ranked the third most powerful woman in entertainment.
2000: Paid $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: Narrated Rett syndrome documentary
In 2000, Julia Roberts narrated a documentary about Rett syndrome to raise public awareness about the disease.
2000: Starring in Erin Brockovich
In 2000, Julia Roberts starred in 'Erin Brockovich', becoming the first actress to be paid $20 million for a film and winning the Academy Award for Best Actress.
2000: Winning 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: 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, John Cusack, and Catherine Zeta-Jones, and "Ocean's Eleven" with George Clooney and Brad Pitt. "Ocean's Eleven" became the fifth highest-grossing film of the year.
2001: Starring in Ocean's Eleven
In 2001, Julia Roberts starred in the film 'Ocean's Eleven'.
2002: Appeared in The Hollywood Reporter's list of the 10 highest-paid actresses
From 2002 to 2005, Julia Roberts was featured in The Hollywood Reporter's list of the 10 highest-paid actresses every year.
2002: Roberts ranked 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 her with Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks.
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 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: Starring in Ocean's Twelve
In 2004, Julia Roberts starred in the film 'Ocean's Twelve'.
2004: Produced first film of the American Girl film series
In 2004, Julia Roberts's production company, Red Om Films, produced the first film of the American Girl film series.
2005: Featured in Dave Matthews Band's Dreamgirl Music Video
In 2005, Julia Roberts was featured in the music video for the single "Dreamgirl" by the Dave Matthews Band. This marked her first appearance in a music video.
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 1997 play "Three Days of Rain".
2006: Spokeswoman for Earth Biofuels
In 2006, Julia Roberts became a spokeswoman for Earth Biofuels and chair of the company's advisory board.
2006: Endorsement deal with Gianfranco Ferre
In 2006, Julia Roberts signed an endorsement deal with fashion label Gianfranco Ferre.
2006: Voiced characters in The Ant Bully and Charlotte's Web
In 2006, Julia Roberts voiced a nurse ant in "The Ant Bully" and a barn spider in "Charlotte's Web".
2007: Starred in Charlie Wilson's War
In 2007, Julia Roberts starred as Joanne Herring in "Charlie Wilson's War", which earned her a Golden Globe nomination.
2008: Produced fourth film of the American Girl film series
In 2008, Julia Roberts's production company, Red Om Films, produced the fourth film of the American Girl film series.
2008: Fireflies in the Garden screened 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.
2008: Executive Producer for American Girl franchise
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.
2009: Starred in Duplicity
In 2009, Julia Roberts starred in the comic thriller "Duplicity" with Clive Owen, earning her a Golden Globe nomination.
2009: Critic suggests Roberts' acting might not match the emotional depth
In 2009, a critic for The New Yorker suggested that while Julia Roberts is a skilled actress, her 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: Became 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: Starred in Valentine's Day and Eat Pray Love
In 2010, Julia Roberts played a role in "Valentine's Day" and starred in the film adaptation of "Eat Pray Love", achieving the highest debut at the box office since America's Sweethearts.
2010: Signed extension with Lancôme
In 2010, Julia Roberts signed a five-year extension with Lancôme for $50 million.
2011: North American release of Fireflies in the Garden
In 2011, the movie "Fireflies in the Garden", starring Julia Roberts, had its North American release.
2012: HuffPost writer suggests Roberts career relies on star power
In 2012, HuffPost writer Mike Ryan suggested that Julia Roberts' career relied more on her star power than her acting ability, noting that she is not often included in discussions of the industry's most celebrated actresses.
2012: Portrayed Queen Clementianna in Mirror Mirror
In 2012, Julia Roberts portrayed Queen Clementianna in "Mirror Mirror", the Tarsem Singh adaptation of Snow White.
2013: Part of Gucci's Chime for Change Campaign
In 2013, Julia Roberts participated in Gucci's "Chime for Change" campaign to promote female empowerment.
2013: Starred in August: Osage County
In 2013, Julia Roberts starred in "August: Osage County", earning nominations for multiple awards, including her fourth Academy Award nomination.
2014: Starred in The Normal Heart
In 2014, Julia Roberts starred as Dr. Emma Brookner in the television adaptation of "The Normal Heart", earning a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.
2014: Voiced Mother Nature in Nature Is Speaking
In 2014, Julia Roberts voiced Mother Nature in a short film for Conservation International's Nature Is Speaking campaign to raise awareness about climate change.
2015: Starred in Secret in Their Eyes and Givenchy campaign
In 2015, Julia Roberts starred in "Secret in Their Eyes" and appeared in Givenchy's spring–summer campaign.
2016: Starred 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" alongside George Clooney.
2017: Roberts waits to see what opportunities arise
By 2017, Julia Roberts stated that she no longer actively pursued roles but instead waited to see what opportunities arose, maintaining that she is selective about her projects.
2017: Starred in Wonder and Smurfs: The Lost Village
In 2017, Julia Roberts played the mother in "Wonder" and voiced a Smurf leader in "Smurfs: The Lost Village".
2017: Starring in Wonder
In 2017, Julia Roberts starred in the film 'Wonder'.
November 2018: Homecoming premiered on Amazon Video
In November 2018, Julia Roberts's first regular television project, the psychological thriller series "Homecoming", premiered on Amazon Video, receiving critical acclaim.
2018: Starring in Homecoming
In 2018, Julia Roberts starred as a social worker in the first season of the streaming series 'Homecoming'.
2021: Roberts's films that have earned the most at the box office
As of 2021, this entry refers to Julia Roberts's films that have earned the most at the box office.
2021: Starred as global face of Chopard's Happy Sport and Happy Diamonds collections
Since 2021, Julia Roberts starred as the global face of Chopard's Happy Sport and Happy Diamonds collections campaigns.
October 21, 2022: Ticket to Paradise released
On October 21, 2022, "Ticket to Paradise", starring Julia Roberts and George Clooney, was released by Universal Pictures.
2022: Starring in Ticket to Paradise and Gaslit
In 2022, Julia Roberts starred in the film 'Ticket to Paradise' and the Starz political limited series 'Gaslit'.
2023: Announced as Global Brand Ambassador of Chopard
In 2023, Chopard announced Julia Roberts as its Global Brand Ambassador.
2023: Starred in Leave the World Behind
In 2023, Julia Roberts starred as Amanda Sandford in the film "Leave the World Behind", an adaptation of the novel by Rumaan Alam.
2024: Narrated audiobook From Here to the Great Unknown
In 2024, Julia Roberts and Riley Keough narrated the audiobook version of Lisa Marie Presley's memoir "From Here to the Great Unknown".
2025: Scheduled appearance in After the Hunt
In 2025, Julia Roberts is scheduled to appear in the film 'After the Hunt'.
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