biography

The atypical beauty, Julia Roberts is well known for her role as a street walking "Cinderella" who catches the eye of a millionaire in Pretty Woman (1990). Julia's role in Pretty Woman, brought her to the attention of the American public and granted her superstar status. For this role she was given the Academy award for Best Actress in 1990 and a Golden Globe for Best Actress in 1991. Though Pretty Woman marked her advancement to superstar, her role as the doomed bride Shelby in Steel Magnolias (1989) earned her a Oscar nomination for Best Supporting actress in 1989 and a Golden Globe in 1990. Her first film, though, was opposite her big brother Eric Roberts in Blood Red which was filmed in 1986 but not released until 1989. She also worked on the film Something to Talk About (1995) with her older sister Lisa Roberts (Gillian).

Julia's is a Southern Belle from Atlanta Georga where she was born October 28, 1967 to vacuum cleaner salesman father Walter (aka Rob) Roberts and church secretary mother Betty Roberts. Julia's parents met while touring army bases in a production of "George Washington Slept Here" in 1955. They were divorced when Julia was four years old and at the age of 9 Julia and her siblings said good-bye to there father who died of cancer. Julia's mother remarried to stepfather Michael Motes and moved to Smyrna. Julia has a brother Eric (1956), a sister Lisa (1965) and a half sister Nancy (1976). Even though both Julia's mother and father acted, Julia's childhood dream was to become a veterinarian. When she graduated from Campbell High School in 1985 she moved to New York to live with her sister Lisa and left her dream of veterinary behind.

Julia's personal life has been rather stormy. She has a long list of boyfriends, fiancée's and one ex-husband. Such a diverse personal life has made her the target of the tabloids. As a result even the slightest hint of possible romance leads her companions to become dubbed the latest flame. Julia's one marriage to Lyle Lovett was short lived and ended in an amicable divorce. They remain friends today. Her current companion is said to be actor Benjamin Bratt, whom she has been dating since November of 1997. Her relationship with actor Kiefer Sutherland in 1990-91 lead Julia to take a brief break from filming after recording her scenes as Tinkerbell in Hook.

Julia has become one of the highest paid actresses. Her beauty which has been described as atypical has lead her to be compared to Audrey Hepburn. She shares the same wide-eyed vulnerability that translates into a screen charisma that Hepburn had though in the end hers comes out as gal-next-door wholesomeness rather than an air of cool sophistication that Hepburn was known for. Either way, we are sure to see more from Julia Fiona Roberts.