Julia Roberts is one of the most recognizable faces in Hollywood history. Born on October 28, 1967, in Smyrna, Georgia, she grew up in a family with deep ties to the arts. Her parents, Walter and Betty Lou Roberts, ran an acting school, and her older brother Eric Roberts became an actor before she did. From an early age, Julia was surrounded by the world of performance — though her path to stardom was anything but immediate.
Growing up in Georgia, Julia had a relatively normal childhood despite her family’s theatrical background. She was close with her siblings, Eric and Lisa, and the three shared a childhood shaped by modest means after their parents divorced.
By 1979, Julia was entering her pre-teen years. Her father, Walter Roberts, passed away from cancer in 1977, so family moments from around this era carry a particular weight.
As a teenager, Julia showed the same wide smile and natural charisma that would later define her on screen. After graduating from Campbell High School in Smyrna, she moved to New York City to pursue acting, studying at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Julia made her screen debut in the late 1980s with a role on the TV series Crime Story. Her first film appearances came in 1988 — she appeared in both Mystic Pizza and Satisfaction that same year. Mystic Pizza, in particular, drew attention to her natural screen presence and set the stage for bigger opportunities.
By 1989, Julia was firmly on Hollywood’s radar. She landed a significant role in Steel Magnolias, the ensemble drama directed by Herbert Ross. The film starred Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Olympia Dukakis, and Daryl Hannah alongside Roberts. Her performance as Shelby Eatenton-Latcherie earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress and a Golden Globe win.
Then came 1990 — the year that changed everything. Pretty Woman, directed by Garry Marshall and co-starring Richard Gere, earned over $464 million worldwide. Julia played Vivian Ward, a role that turned her into a global star overnight. The film earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. That same year, she also appeared in Flatliners alongside Kiefer Sutherland, Kevin Bacon, and Kiefer Sutherland.
Off screen in 1990, Julia was in a relationship with actor Kiefer Sutherland. The two became engaged, but Julia called off the wedding just three days before the scheduled ceremony. She attended that year’s Academy Awards with Sutherland on her arm, making the couple one of the most talked-about pairs in Hollywood.
Julia collected her Golden Globe for Best Performance in a Motion Picture — Comedy or Musical for Pretty Woman at the 1990 ceremony. The award marked the beginning of a decade of major recognition for her work.
Into the early 1990s, Julia continued working steadily while navigating a very public personal life. In 1993, she married country singer Lyle Lovett. The marriage lasted two years. People magazine named her the most beautiful woman in the world — a title she would go on to receive a record five times total.
The mid-1990s saw Julia take on a wider range of roles. In 1994, she appeared in I Love Trouble alongside Nick Nolte. She also dated several high-profile figures during this period, including Benjamin Bratt and Matthew Perry. Her net worth climbed steadily as her films drew massive global audiences, eventually totaling over $2.8 billion in worldwide box office earnings across her career.
