History of Julia Roberts in Timeline
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.
1955: Marriage of Julia Roberts' parents
In 1955, Julia Roberts' parents, Betty Lou Bredemus and Walter Grady Roberts, got married.
1956: Birth of older brother Eric Roberts
In 1956, Julia Roberts' older brother, Eric Roberts, was born. Eric Roberts is also an actor.
1960: Original Ocean's Eleven film released
The original "Ocean's Eleven" film was released in 1960, which was later remade in 2001 with Julia Roberts as Tess Ocean.
1965: Birth of older sister Lisa Roberts Gillan
In 1965, Julia Roberts' older sister Lisa Roberts Gillan was born. Lisa Roberts Gillan is also an actress.
October 28, 1967: Julia Roberts Born
On October 28, 1967, Julia Fiona Roberts was born in Atlanta, Georgia. She would grow up to be a famous American actress.
1971: Divorce filing by Julia Roberts' mother
In 1971, Julia Roberts' mother, Betty Lou Bredemus, filed for divorce from Walter Grady Roberts.
1972: Divorce finalized and mother's remarriage
In 1972, the divorce of Julia Roberts' parents was finalized, and her mother married Michael Motes, who was abusive.
1983: Divorce from Michael Motes
In 1983, Julia Roberts' mother divorced Michael Motes on grounds of cruelty.
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".
1987: Robert Harling's play of the same name
In 1987, Robert Harling wrote the play 'Steel Magnolias', that would become a movie adaptation starring Julia Roberts in 1989.
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'.
June 14, 1991: Roberts and Sutherland breakup
Julia Roberts and Kiefer Sutherland broke up shortly before their scheduled wedding on June 14, 1991.
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.
June 25, 1993: Roberts marries Lyle Lovett
On June 25, 1993, Julia Roberts married country singer Lyle Lovett at St. James Lutheran Church in Marion, Indiana.
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'.
March 1995: Roberts and Lovett separate
In March 1995, Julia Roberts and Lyle Lovett separated.
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'.
1997: Patrick Marber's play Closer debut
In 1997, Patrick Marber's play "Closer" debuted, which was later adapted into a film in 2004 starring Julia Roberts.
1997: Richard Greenberg's play Three Days of Rain
In 1997, Richard Greenberg wrote the play "Three Days of Rain", in which Julia Roberts starred for her Broadway debut in 2006.
1998: Appearance on Sesame Street and starring in Stepmom
In 1998, Julia Roberts appeared on 'Sesame Street' and starred in 'Stepmom'.
1998: Roberts dates Benjamin Bratt
In 1998, Julia Roberts started dating actor Benjamin Bratt.
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 met Daniel Moder
In 2000, Julia Roberts and her future husband, cameraman Daniel Moder, met on the set of her film The Mexican.
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: Roberts and Bratt end relationship
In 2001, Julia Roberts and Benjamin Bratt ended their relationship.
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'.
July 4, 2002: Roberts marries Daniel Moder
On July 4, 2002, Julia Roberts married Daniel Moder at her ranch in Taos, New Mexico.
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'.
November 2004: Roberts gives birth to twins
In November 2004, Julia Roberts gave birth to twins, a daughter and a son.
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: Reconciliation with brother Eric Roberts
In 2004, Julia Roberts reconciled with her older brother, Eric Roberts, after a period of estrangement.
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".
June 2007: Roberts gives birth to another son
In June 2007, Julia Roberts gave birth to another son.
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.
September 2009: Roberts' children given new names
In September 2009, while Julia Roberts was shooting Eat Pray Love, Swami Daram Dev gave her children new names after Hindu gods: Lakshmi for Hazel, Ganesh for Phinnaeus and Krishna Balram for Henry.
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: Argentine film of the same name
In 2009, the Argentine film of the same name released, which later remade with Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman and Chiwetel Ejiofor in "Secret in Their Eyes" in 2015.
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.
2010: Roberts announces she is Hindu
In 2010, Julia Roberts stated that she was Hindu, having converted for "spiritual satisfaction".
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.
2012: Novel Wonder by R.J. Palacio released
In 2012, the novel "Wonder" by R. J. Palacio, was released, which was later adapted into a film starring Julia Roberts in 2017.
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.
February 9, 2014: Death of half-sister Nancy Motes
On February 9, 2014, Julia Roberts's younger half-sister, Nancy Motes, died at the age of 37 due to an apparent drug overdose.
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'.
2017: Roberts named World's Most Beautiful Woman for fifth time
In 2017, People magazine named Julia Roberts the "World's Most Beautiful Woman" for a record-breaking fifth time.
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'.
2019: Roberts' Golden Globe nominations
As of 2019, Julia Roberts has garnered eight Golden Globe nominations.
2020: Net worth estimated at $250 million
As of 2020, Julia Roberts's net worth was estimated to be $250 million.
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.
2023: Roberts discovers her biological paternal great-great-grandfather's surname
On a 2023 episode of Finding Your Roots, Julia Roberts learned that the surname of her biological paternal great-great-grandfather was actually Mitchell, not Roberts.
July 21, 2024: Biden ended re-election campaign
On July 21, 2024, Joe Biden ended his re-election campaign, though Julia Roberts had endorsed him and participated in fundraising activities.
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".
2024: Roberts supports Kamala Harris in election
In 2024, Julia Roberts supported Kamala Harris during the United States presidential election, appearing at a rally in Georgia and voicing a political advertisement.
2024: Roberts addresses rumors of being challenging to work with
In a 2024 interview with filmmaker Richard Curtis, Julia Roberts finally addressed rumors about being challenging to work with, attributing them to conscious efforts to not appear overly friendly on film sets to avoid being taken advantage of, but maintains that she never intends to hurt others.
February 28, 2025: Roberts honored as 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: Scheduled appearance in After the Hunt
In 2025, Julia Roberts is scheduled to appear in the film 'After the Hunt'.
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