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Julia Fiona Roberts (born October 28, 1967)[2] is an American actress and producer. She became a Hollywood star after headlining the romantic comedy (1990), which grossed $464 million worldwide. After winning two Golden Globe Awards and also receiving Academy Award nominations for (1989) and Pretty Woman, she won the Academy Award for Best Actressfor her performance in (2000). Her films (1988), The Pelican Brief (1993), My Best Friend's Wedding(1997), Conspiracy Theory (1997), Notting Hill (1999), Runaway Bride (1999), Ocean's Eleven (2001), Ocean's Twelve (2004), Charlie Wilson's War (2007), Valentine's Day (2010), (2010), and Mirror Mirror (2012) have collectively brought box office receipts of over $2.6 billion, making her one of the most successful actresses in terms of box office receipts. [3] In 2013, she appeared inAugust: Osage County, for which she received her fourth Academy Award nomination. Roberts had become one of the highest-paid actresses in the world, topping 's annual "power list" of top-earning female stars from 2005 to 2006. Her fee for 1990's Pretty Woman was $300,000;[4] in 2003, she was paid an unprecedented $25 million for her role in (2003). As of 2010, Roberts's net worth was estimated to be $140 million.[5] Roberts has been named one of People magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People in the World" eleven times, tied with . In 2011, she was named one of the "100 Hottest Women of All-Time" by Men's Health.[6]

Early life and family[edit] Roberts was born in Smyrna, ,[2][7] to Betty Lou (née Bredemus; b. 1934) and Walter Grady Roberts (1933–1977).[2] [7][8] She is of English, Scottish, Irish, Welsh, German, and Swedish descent.[9][10] Her father was a Baptist, her mother a Roman Catholic,[11] and she was raised a Catholic.[12][13] Her older brother, , from whom she was estranged until 2004, sister Lisa Roberts Gillan, and niece , are also actors. Roberts's parents, one-time actors and playwrights, met while performing theatrical productions for the armed forces. They later co-founded the Actors and Writers Workshop in Atlanta, Georgia, off Juniper Street in Midtown. They ran a children's acting school in Decatur, Georgia, while they were expecting Julia. The children of Martin Luther King, Jr. and attended the school with Walter Roberts acting as Yolanda Denise King's acting coach.[14] As a thank-you for their service, Mrs. King paid Mrs. Roberts's hospital bill when Julia was born.[15] Her parents married in 1965.[citation needed] Roberts's mother filed for divorce in 1971; the divorce was finalized in early 1972. [16] From 1972 Roberts lived in Smyrna, Georgia, where she attended Fitzhugh Lee Elementary School, Griffin Middle School, and Campbell High School.[17] In 1972, her mother married Michael Motes, who was abusive and often unemployed; Julia despised him.[18] The couple had a daughter, Nancy Motes, who died at 37 on February 9, 2014 of an apparent drug overdose.[19] The marriage ended in 1983, with Betty Lou divorcing Motes on cruelty grounds; she stated that marrying him was the biggest mistake of her life.[18] Roberts's own father died of cancer when she was ten.[20] Roberts wanted to be a veterinarian as a child.[21] She also played the clarinet in her school band.[22][23] After graduating from Smyrna's Campbell High School, she attendedGeorgia State University, but did not graduate. She later headed to New York to pursue a career in acting. Once there, she signed with the Click Modeling Agency and enrolled in acting classes.[24][25] Career[edit] 1987–1989[edit] Roberts made her first big screen appearance in the film Satisfaction (1988), released on February 12, 1988, alongside and , as a band member looking for a summer gig. She had previously performed a small role opposite her brother, Eric, in Blood Red (she has two words of dialogue), filmed in 1987 and released in 1989. Her first television appearance was as a juvenile rape victim in the initial season of the series Crime Story with , in the episode titled "The Survivor", broadcast on February 13, 1987. Her first critical success with moviegoers was her performance in film Mystic Pizza in 1988;[26] that same year, she had a role in the fourth season finale of . In 1989, she was featured in Steel Magnolias, as a young bride with diabetes, and received both her first Academy Award nomination (as Best Supporting Actress) and first Golden Globe Award win (Motion Picture Best Supporting Actress) for her performance.[26] 1990–2000[edit] Roberts became known to worldwide audiences when she starred with in the /Pygmalionesque story, Pretty Woman, in 1990.[26] Roberts won the role afterMichelle Pfeiffer, , , , , and (her co-star in Steel Magnolias) turned it down.[27] The role also earned her a second Oscar nomination, this time as Best Actress, and second Golden Globe Award win, as Motion Picture Best Actress (Musical or Comedy).[26] Her next box office success was the thriller , playing a battered wife who escapes her abusive husband, played by Patrick Bergin, and begins a new life in Iowa. She played Tinkerbell inSteven Spielberg's Hook in 1991, and also played a nurse in the 1991 film, . This work was followed by a two-year hiatus, during which she made no films other than a in 's The Player (1992). In early 1993, she was the subject of a People magazine cover story asking, "What Happened to ?"[28] She was offered the role of Annie Reed in Sleepless in Seattle (1993), but turned it down.[29] Roberts at the Deauville American Film Festival in Normandy, France, September 1990. Roberts co-starred with in The Pelican Brief (1993), based on 's 1992 novel of the same name.[26] In 1996, she appeared in season 2 of (episode 13 "The One After the Superbowl"). Roberts recorded her scenes from January 6–8, 1996.[30]She had a relationship with cast member at the time,[31][32][33][34] and an audience member said about their on-screen kiss, "Julia looked at Matt and said 'I'm glad we rehearsed this over the '."[35] She was offered the role of Lucy Eleanor Moderatz in While You Were Sleeping (1995), but turned it down.[29] Roberts co-starred with Liam Neeson in Michael Collins (1996).[26] Over the next few years, she starred in ' Mary Reilly(1996), followed by My Best Friend's Wedding in 1997. In 1998, she appeared on opposite the character , demonstrating her ability to change emotions. She was offered the role of Viola de Lesseps in (1998), but turned it down.[29] She starred in the films Stepmom (1998), alongside ,[36] Notting Hill (1999), with , and, also in 1999, in Runaway Bride, her second film with Richard Gere. Roberts was a guest star on the Law & Order television series episode "Empire" with series regularBenjamin Bratt (at that time her boyfriend). She earned a nomination for Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series.[37] 2001–2005[edit] In 2001, Roberts received the Academy Award for Best Actress for her portrayal of Erin Brockovich, who helped wage a successful lawsuit against energy giant Pacific Gas & Electric. While presenting the Best Actor Award to Denzel Washington the following year she made a gaffe, saying she was glad that Tom Conti wasn't there. She meant the conductor, Bill Conti, who had tried to hasten the conclusion of her Oscar speech the previous year, but instead named the Scottish actor.[38]

Brad Pitt, , , Andy García, and Roberts withOcean's Eleven director, in December 2001. Roberts' first film following Erin Brockovich was the romantic comedy America's Sweethearts along with , , andCatherine Zeta-Jones. Directed by , the Hollywood farce centers on a , Gwen and Eddie, who separate when she dumps him for another man. Roberts portrayed Gwen's once-overweight sister and assistant who has been secretly in love with Eddie (Cusack) for years. Reviews of the film were generally unfavorable: critics' felt that despite its famous cast, the movie lacked "sympathetic characters" and was "only funny in spurts." [39] A commercial success, it grossed over $138 million worldwide however.[40] Later in 2001 she starred in 's road gangster comedy, The Mexican, giving her a chance to work with long-time friend, . The film's script was originally intended to be filmed as an independent production without major motion picture stars, but Roberts and Pitt, who had for some time been looking for a project they could do together, learned about it and decided to sign on. Though advertised as a typical romantic comedy star vehicle, the film does not focus solely on the Pitt/Roberts relationship and the two shared relatively little screen time together. Ultimately, The Mexican earned $66.8 million at the U.S. box office.[41] In fall 2001, Roberts teamed with Erin Brockovich director Steven Soderbergh for Ocean's Eleven (2001), a comedy-crime caper film and remake of the 1960 film of the same name, featuring an ensemble cast also including George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon. Roberts played the ex-wife of leader Danny Ocean (Clooney), originally played by , who is flirting with a casino owner, played by Andy Garcia. In preparation for her role, Roberts studied Dickinson's performance by watching the original film at least seven times in order to get her part right. [42] A success with critics and at the box office alike,Ocean's Eleven became the fifth highest-grossing film of the year with a total of $450 million worldwide.[43]

Deployed troops show Julia Roberts the controls of an F-15. In 2003, Roberts was cast in 's drama film Mona Lisa Smile, also starring , , and . Roberts received a record $25 million for her portrayal of a forward-thinking art history professor at in 1953, who teaches conservative students to question their traditional societal roles – the highest ever earned by an actress then.[44] The film garnered largely lukewarm reviews by critics who found it "predictable and safe".[45] In 2004, Roberts replaced in 's , a romantic drama film written by , based on his award-winning 1997 play of the same name.[46] Also starring , and , Closer explores the relationships of a quartet of lovers tangled in a web of love, lust, sex and betrayal. [46] Also in 2004, the actress reprised the role of Tess Ocean in Soderbergh's crime comedy sequel Ocean's Twelve. Less favored than Eleven, the film became another major success at the box offices with a gross of $363 million worldwide, mostly from its international run.[47] Unlike all the male cast members, Roberts did not appear in her role as Tess Ocean in the series' third and final installment Ocean's Thirteen (2007) due to script issues.[48] In 2005, she was featured in the for the single "Dreamgirl" by the ; it was her first music video appearance.[49] 2006–present[edit] Roberts had two films released in 2006: The Ant Bully and Charlotte's Web. Both films were animated features for which she provided voice acting. Her next film was Charlie Wilson's War (2007), with and , directed by Mike Nichols and based on the book by former CBS journalist George Crile; it was released on December 21, 2007. Fireflies in the Garden (2008), also starring and , was released at the Berlin International Film Festival in February 2008 and was subsequently shown in European cinemas; it did not get a North American release until 2011.

Roberts in Paris promotingEat Pray Love, September 2010. Roberts made her Broadway debut on April 19, 2006 as Nan in a revival of 's 1997 play Three Days of Rain opposite and . Although the play grossed nearly US$1 million in ticket sales during its first week[50] and was a commercial success throughout its limited run, her performance drew criticism. Ben Brantley of described Roberts as being fraught with "self-consciousness (especially in the first act) [and] only glancingly acquainted with the two characters she plays."[51] Brantley also criticized the production of "Greenberg's slender, elegant play," writing that "it's almost impossible to discern its artistic virtues from this wooden and splintered interpretation, directed by Joe Mantello."[51] Writing in The , Clive Barnes declared, "Hated the play. To be sadly honest, even hated her. At least I liked the rain—even if three days of it can seem an eternity." [52] Three Days of Rain received two Tony Award nominations in stagecraftcategories. In 2009, Lancôme announced that Roberts would become their global ambassador for their company.[53] Roberts starred with Clive Owen in the comedy-thriller Duplicity for which she received her seventh Golden Globe nomination. In 2010, she appeared in the ensemble romantic comedy Valentine's Day, with Cooper, and starred in the film adaptation of Eat Pray Love. Eat Pray Love[54] had the highest debut at the box office for Roberts in a top-billed role since America's Sweethearts.[55] Later in the year, she signed a five-year extension with Lancôme for GB£32 million (US$50 million).[56] In 2011, she co-starred as Mercedes Tainot opposite Tom Hanks who directed and played the title role in the romantic comedy .[57] The movie received generally bad reviews with only 35% of the 175 reviews giving it high ratings,[58] although Roberts's comedic performance was praised.[59] Roberts appeared in the 2012 adaptation of , titled Mirror Mirror, playing the .[60] In 2013, Roberts appeared in August: Osage County, playing one of 's character's three daughters.[61] Her performance in it earned her nominations for the Golden Globe Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, Critics' Choice Award and Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, amongst other accolades.[62][63][64][65] It was her fourth Academy Award nomination.[66] films[edit] Roberts has brought to life some of the books from American Girl as films, serving as executive producer alongside her sister Lisa. The company's product lines and services are focused on pre-teen-girl characters from various periods of American history, embodied as dolls and featured in narratives including books and movies. Roberts has produced four movies.[67] Personal life[edit] Relationships and marriages[edit] Roberts reportedly had romantic relationships with actors , Liam Neeson, , Dylan McDermott, and Matthew Perry.[68][69] On June 25, 1993, she married country singer ; the wedding took place at St. James Lutheran Church in Marion, Indiana.[70] They separated in March 1995 and subsequently divorced.[71] From 1998 to 2001, Roberts dated actor .[72] Roberts and her husband, cameraman Daniel Moder, met on the set of her film The Mexican in 2000, while she was still dating Bratt. At the time, Moder was married to Vera Steimberg. He filed for divorce a little over a year later, and after it was finalized, he and Roberts wed on July 4, 2002,[73] at her ranch in Taos, New Mexico.[74] Together, they have three children: twins Hazel Patricia and Phinnaeus "Finn" Walter Moder (born November 28, 2004)[75] and Henry Daniel Moder (born June 18, 2007).[76] Religious beliefs[edit] Roberts disclosed in a 2010 interview for Elle magazine that she believes in and practices Hinduism.[77][78][79] Roberts is a devotee of Neem Karoli Baba (Maharaj-ji). A picture of Neem Karoli Baba drew Roberts to Hinduism.[80] In September 2009, Swami Daram Dev of Ashram Hari Mandir in Pataudi, where Roberts was shooting Eat Pray Love, gave her children new names after Hindu gods: Laxmi for Hazel, Ganesh for Phinnaeus and Balram for Henry.[81] Charities[edit] Roberts has given her time and resources to UNICEF as well as to other charitable organizations. On May 10, 1995, Roberts arrived in Port-au-Prince, as she said, "to educate myself".[82][83] The poverty she found was overwhelming. "My heart is just bursting", she said.[82] UNICEF officials hoped that her six-day visit would trigger an outburst of giving: $10 million in aid was sought at the time.[82][83] In 2000, Roberts narrated Silent Angels, a documentary about Rett syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder, which was shot in , Baltimore and New York. The documentary was designed to help raise public awareness about the disease. In July 2006, Earth Biofuels announced Roberts as a spokeswoman for the company and as chair of the company's newly formed Advisory Board promoting the use of renewable fuels. She also supports 's "Chime For Change" campaign that aims to spread female empowerment.[84]